Dubai drivers may soon see higher parking fees, as Parkin—the city’s parking management company—has officially requested approval to raise public parking tariffs. If the proposal goes through, it could affect thousands of commuters and residents who rely on paid parking across Dubai’s busy commercial and residential neighborhoods.
In a move submitted to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in mid-February, Parkin has asked to increase the weighted average public parking rate. The request also seeks to revise the structure and pricing of seasonal permits, aiming to address pricing imbalances that have cropped up since variable tariffs were introduced in April 2025.
The RTA is currently reviewing the proposal and will forward its findings to Dubai’s Executive Council for final approval.
What’s behind the proposed changes?
One of the main reasons for the potential rate hike is the shift in customer behavior. After last year’s daily tariff increases, many regular parkers switched to seasonal permits to lock in savings, creating a widening gap between what hourly users and permit holders pay.
Sales of seasonal parking cards jumped a whopping 140% in the last quarter of 2025, reaching over 89,000 units. While this surge highlights strong demand, it’s also led to lower reported hourly occupancy rates, since permit holders aren’t counted in short-term usage stats. Parkin says the goal is to close this pricing loophole while still offering value for frequent users.
Strong results fuel the review
Parkin’s request comes on the back of record profits. In the fourth quarter, revenue hit Dh389.4 million—a 47% year-on-year jump—while net profit surged 53% to Dh183.6 million. The company also expanded its total parking capacity by 11% last year to nearly 229,000 spaces, including more spaces in developer-run facilities.
Enforcement has gone high-tech, too: smart inspection vehicles scanned over 17 million license plates in just one quarter.
For now, any parking fee increase remains pending regulatory approval. Motorists will need to wait for the RTA and the Executive Council’s final decision before any new rates are rolled out.
