Osijek Introduces Parking Fees on September 8
Deputy Mayor Dragan Vulin revealed where parking will remain free and announced that residents can influence the expansion of the system.
Deputy Mayor Dragan Vulin revealed where parking will remain free and announced that residents can influence the expansion of the system.
Less than a month remains until Osijek residents face the start of the new parking fee system, which officially begins on September 8, 2026. This marks the end of a months-long process in which the City of Osijek took over parking management from a concessionaire and entrusted it to the City Transport Company (GPP).
Osijek's Deputy Mayor Dragan Vulin, appearing on Osijek Television, confirmed that fees will not be introduced across the entire city area. The Retfala city district requested an exemption, which the City has accepted.
"Parking will be charged up to Kanižlićeva Street, but not in Retfala. This was the proposal put forward by the Retfala City District, based on their analyses and conclusions. We respect that," Vulin stated for Osijek Television.
Vulin emphasized that this decision is not set in stone. If, after the system is introduced, it becomes apparent that traffic is being diverted to surrounding streets, residents will be able to initiate changes through their city districts. "Both we and they will see what the situation is like in, for example, Žuto Naselje, and since parking is now in our hands, changes to decisions can be easily made," he added.
Special attention will be paid to areas bordering the new fee zones. Vulin cited Sjenjak as an example, where the introduction of fees on Vijenac Ivana Meštrović could redirect some drivers to currently free parking lots. A similar scenario is expected in the Novi Grad city district.
Although the start date is approaching, final parking prices have not yet been announced. Consulting firm KPMG is working on them, and its analysis must take into account prices in other Slavonian cities as well as larger Croatian urban centers. Vulin gave only a rough indication: "We won't be more expensive than Zagreb and Split, but we won't be cheaper than other Slavonian cities either."
Drivers will have 15 minutes of free parking, and in the city center, a parking duration limit is also planned. Monthly passes will be available to residents. Where feasible, surveillance will be conducted via cameras, and closed parking lots will use barriers.
