Benidorm drivers may have noticed new parking metres appearing in residential streets. Despite any initial surprise, there is no reason for concern.
These changes aim to make parking more flexible, not to increase costs for residents. Locals will continue to park for free, while visitors and non-residents will gain more regulated options, provided they follow the rules.
Parking exclusively for residents
Benidorm has already installed new parking metres in orange zones, mainly in areas that were previously reserved exclusively for residents. Although their appearance has caused some confusion, the regulations for residents remain unchanged, and parking is still free for them. The main change is that non-residents can now use both orange and green zones by paying a fee.
The Council awarded the installation contract to Flowbird España SLU, whose name already appears on the metres installed in recent weeks. The aim is to open the green and orange zones to all drivers while maintaining key benefits for residents. Unlike the blue zone, Benidorm residents do not have to pay in either area.
The contract covers the installation of 64 parking metres across the municipality. Benidorm currently has 13 green and orange zones, offering 1,909 spaces in orange zones and 1,429 in green zones. This gives a total of 3,338 regulated parking spaces, with the possibility of increasing the number to 4,000 at no additional cost. Parking can also be managed through a mobile app.
Future Red Zone
Looking ahead, the system is already prepared for the introduction of a future red zone. This zone will be reserved exclusively for residents, offering free parking for a limited period and completely prohibiting parking for non-residents.
Residents will also continue to enjoy up to 10 consecutive days of free parking in the orange zone, with the option to extend this period by obtaining free tickets. In the green zone, residents can park free of charge for up to 48 hours, with the option to renew. An app will help residents manage parking in both zones more easily.
For now, the Local Police are enforcing these regulations. Once the city awards the new regulated parking contract, staff from the concessionaire will take over enforcement of the green and orange zones. Until then, the parking metres will remain fully operational.
Parking in Benidorm: Non-residents
In contrast, non-residents using the green zone will have to pay a fee. The tariff will match the current blue zone rate and will apply 24 hours a day, every day of the year. To qualify as a resident, vehicle owners must register in Benidorm, appear on the municipal census, and feature in the City Council or concessionaire database.
The orange zone will continue to cater primarily for residents, who can park free of charge for up to 10 days. Non-residents may also use these spaces if they provide proof of local shopping. One free hour applies to purchases between €5.00 and €9.99, two free hours to purchases between €10.00 and €14.99, and up to three free hours with receipts of €15.00 or more. Drivers can renew the parking time by making another purchase after two hours.
The proposed red zone will be reserved exclusively for residents. Parking will be free but time-limited, although the authorities have yet to confirm the exact duration.
