The ombudsman challenges the elimination of cash parking in Budapest

The Commissioner for Fundamental Rights has turned to the Constitutional Court for an interpretation of the provision in the Fundamental Law that guarantees cash payments. Among the immediate antecedents to the initiative is the fact that as of July 1 this year, parking meters were removed across the entire territory of Budapest, so parking fees in the capital can now be paid exclusively by electronic means. The ombudsman wants to clarify whether choosing cash payment is a fundamental right.

The ombudsman asks the Constitutional Court for an interpretation

The ombudsman's office told MTI on Thursday that the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights has turned to the Constitutional Court. The commissioner is seeking an answer to whether choosing to pay with cash is a fundamental right in every case where the legal relationship and the circumstances of payment do not objectively rule it out. The statement cites online legal transactions as an example of a situation where the use of cash is objectively excluded.

The other question concerns the state's obligation. The ombudsman wants to clarify whether the state is obliged to prescribe conditions and rules through which the right to pay with cash can be enforced not only in principle but also in practice. According to the office, several submissions were received this year because cash payment opportunities are being pushed back in many areas of life.

The submissions also concerned automated stores, as well as cultural, gastronomic, sports, and leisure events. The ombudsman's office described as a decision affecting many people the fact that the metropolitan municipality, by completely abolishing ticket machines capable of accepting cash, provides only electronic payment options for settling parking fees.

There have been no parking meters since July 1 this year

Under a decision made by the capital in 2024, parking meters were removed across the entire territory of Budapest as of July 1 this year. Ambrus Kiss, Director General of the Mayor's Office, justified the decision primarily with economic reasons. Operating the meters represented a significant cost for the districts; in some places maintenance consumed up to 100 million forints gross per year. According to the director general, operating parking systems at district level overall took up 60-70 percent of revenues.

The district municipalities did not always support the change. In several places they insisted on keeping the meters, which generated significant revenue, and concerns also arose regarding the termination of existing operating contracts. Of Budapest's 23 districts, 14 had parking meters in operation, a total of 3,331 units.

What does the change mean for those parking in Budapest?

When paying parking fees, the elimination of the meters has left only electronic payment options. This also directly affects those who previously bought parking tickets with cash. If you park in a paid zone, it is advisable to check the appropriate zone code before setting off in the parking zone finder, then pay the fee using one of the available electronic methods.

The ombudsman is currently awaiting the Constitutional Court's response. The questions raised concern when choosing cash payment can be considered a fundamental right, and under what conditions and rules the state must ensure its effective exercise. The initiative therefore does not concern the amount of parking fees, but the possibility of choosing the payment method.

Source: Világgazdaság