A parking fine in Norway is either a parking fee of 900 kroner from the municipality or a control sanction of 330 to 990 kroner from a private company. You can always file a written complaint for free within three weeks. This guide explains who issues what, and how to complain correctly.
There are two completely different "fines" for parking, and they follow different rules. Many people mix them up and overpay or complain to the wrong place. At SamfunnPrep, we want you to know your rights, so we go through this step by step.
Parking fee or control sanction – what is the difference?
The short answer: a parking fee comes from the municipality when you park illegally on public roads, while a control sanction comes from a private company when you break the rules on a private parking lot. The amount and complaint procedure are different.
- Parking fee is imposed by the municipality (or the police) under the regulation on public parking fees. This applies, for example, when you park on a pavement, in a road intersection, too close to a pedestrian crossing, or in a disabled parking space on a public street. The fee is 900 kroner and has been since 2017.
- Control sanction is imposed by a private parking company (such as Apcoa, Aimo Park or Q-Park) in their spaces: shopping centres, private parking areas and park-and-ride facilities. The rules are set out in the parking regulation.
A third possibility is towing (removal). Your car is moved, and you must pay both for the towing and for storage. This is the most expensive, and comes in addition to a fee or sanction.
How much does a control sanction cost in 2026?
A control sanction from a private company has three fixed rates, valid per 2026:
| Rate | When it is used |
|---|---|
| 330 kr | You forgot to purchase a ticket or display a parking disc where you had the right to free short-term parking |
| 660 kr | Normal breach: you parked without a valid ticket, beyond paid time or outside a marked space |
| 990 kr | You parked in a reserved space for people with reduced mobility (disabled space) without a valid permit |
These amounts are set out in the parking regulation § 36 and are only adjusted every fifth year according to price growth. This means the rates are stable – do not believe websites that list different amounts. Municipal parking fees are, as mentioned, always 900 kroner.
How to complain about a parking fine
You always have the right to complain, and it costs nothing. The deadline is three weeks from when you received the fine. The payment deadline continues even if you complain, so consider whether you want to pay first and get the money back if you win.
- Find out who issued the fine. If a municipality is listed on the notice, it is a fee. If a private company is listed, it is a control sanction.
- Complain in writing within three weeks. Send the complaint to whoever issued the fine – the municipality or the parking company. Briefly explain what happened, and attach photos, ticket or receipt.
- Wait for a response. A private company has eight weeks to respond to you.
- Complain further if you get a rejection. If you received a control sanction and disagree with the response, you can complain for free to Parkeringsklagenemnda within three weeks of the company's response. The board is independent and decides the case within 90 days. If you received a municipal fee, the case can be brought before the District Court within three weeks of the rejection.
If you are unsure how to write a complaint, we have a separate guide on complaining about public decisions in Norway that shows the format step by step.
Common pitfalls to avoid
Most fines are due to small mistakes. Always check this before you leave your car:
- Read the sign carefully. A blue P sign means parking is allowed, but the sub-signs tell you about time restrictions, fees or whether the space is private. On private property, the company's rules apply, not the municipality's.
- Pay for the correct zone or space. Entering the wrong registration number in the app results in a fine even if you have paid.
- Use a parking disc where required. Free short-term parking often requires that you display a clock disc showing the time you parked.
- Do not park in a disabled space without a permit. You need a valid disabled parking permit, which you apply for from your municipality.
- Electric vehicles also pay. Electric vehicles may have discounts, but parking is rarely completely free anymore – check the sign.
Parking rules are linked to the general traffic rules in Norway, and if you have just bought a car, it is a good idea to read about buying and owning a car in Norway as well. At SamfunnPrep, we collect these practical rules in our tools and topic guides so you find the answers quickly.
What if your car is towed?
If your car is removed, you must pay both for the towing itself and for each day the car is stored. This comes in addition to the fee or sanction, making it the most expensive option. Call the number on the sign or contact the municipality to find out where your car is. You have the right to a written explanation for the removal, and you can complain about it in the same way as about a regular parking fine.
If you need a permanent space because you have reduced mobility, you can apply to your municipality for a disabled parking permit. With such a permit, you can park in reserved spaces and often park free in public parking areas.
In short
A parking fine is not just one thing. Municipal fee is 900 kroner, private control sanction is 330, 660 or 990 kroner, and towing is an extra cost. Whichever you get: complain in writing within three weeks if you think it is wrong. It is free, and many get their complaints approved.
Many of these rules about public affairs, the municipality and complaint rights are also part of the civic knowledge exam – practise for free on SamfunnPrep.
