SCT (LEZ) CLEAN TRANSPORT ZONE IN KRAKOW - important information before arriving in the city by car

On 1 January 2026, a Clean Transport Zone (SCT - Strefa Czystego Transport), more commonly known as a Low Emission Zone (LEZ), came into force in Kraków.
The SCT introduces new rules for access to certain areas of the city. The zone will cover approximately 60% of Kraków’s territory. Although this change is not expected to have a significant impact on residents or visitors, it is important to understand the requirements and to whom they apply.

THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

To enter or drive within the zone, your vehicle must meet these minimum standards:
- petrol/LPG must be minimum Euro 4 standard (typically manufactured from 2005+)
- diesels must be Euro 6 or newer (from 2014+)

EXEMPTIONS AND TRANSITIONAL FEES

If your vehicle does not meet these standards, there are still ways to navigate the zone.
- permanent residents - enjoy exceptions for vehicles owned before June 2025, regardless of its emission class, though you must register it in the city's system
- out-of-town visitors - A 3-year transitional period (2026–2028) allows older vehicles to enter if a fee is paid

You can check whether your vehicle meets the requirements, register your vehicle if necessary, register your entry to a medical facility, or pay the entry fees via link:
Check your vehicle's authorization »

If you need to find out more, follow this link:
More info about LEZ-SCT Cracow »

ZONES OF LIMITED MOVEMENT AND PARKING

In Cracow, access is only permitted to vehicles authorised to drive in the restricted traffic zone.

Sign D-44 (paid stay) means the need to pay a parking fee. In this zone it is forbidden to stop the vehicle without paying a fee. The sign is not canceled by the nearest intersection. Especially please pay attention to the signs of Zone A (only for pedestrians) and Zone B (only for vehicles with permission) together with the B-1 sign (entry ban), which is valid around the Main Market Square.

Map of restricted traffic zones in Cracow »
Additional information about traffic and parking zones in Cracow (PL version) »

PARKING IN ZONES A,B,C

subzone A*       Monday - Sunday   9.00 - 22.00
subzone B         Monday - Saturday   9.00 - 22.00
subzone C         Monday - Saturday   9.00 - 22.00

* Shopping Sundays - in subzone A, parking is free on shopping Sundays. On other Sundays, parking in this zone is subject to a charge for those without a Krakow Card.

Krakow Card - holders of a valid Krakow Card are exempt from parking charges on Sundays in subzone A. Condition: the vehicle’s registration number must be entered into the system via the Krakow Card user account.

LIST OF DAYS EXEMPT FROM CHARGES (public holidays) - ALL SUBZONES A, B, C

- 1 January (New Year’s Day),
- 6 January (Epiphany),
- Easter Sunday,
- Easter Monday,
- 1 May (Labour Day)
- 3 May (National Day of 3 May)
- Whitsunday,
- Corpus Christi,
- 15 August (Assumption of the Virgin Mary)
- 1 November (All Saints’ Day)
- 11 November (National Independence Day)
- 24 December (Christmas Eve)
- 25 December (Christmas Day)
- 26 December (Boxing Day)

PARKING METERS IN CRACOW

You can pay for parking using the parking meters. The printed parking card should be placed behind the windshield of the vehicle. On the streets there are Zone controllers who check the validity of the parking cards.
- payment by card
- payment by coins

PAYMENTS VIA MOBILE APP

If you have a foreign phone number, use:

- anypark.pl - honors Krakow Card discounts
- cityparkapp.pl - honors Krakow Card discounts
- electronicparking.pl - honors Krakow Card discounts
- mobilet.pl - registration possible via e-mail address, honors Krakow Card discounts

Important - Please enter the correct data: vehicle registration number, city, subzone A, B or C.
If you pay via a mobile app, you are not required to place a note or sticker behind the windshield to indicate your use of this payment method. However, in some cases, it may help the inspector in verifying your payment.
ZDMK accepts no liability for any malfunction or error in the app used to pay for parking in paid parking zones. Should a user receive a notice requiring payment of an additional charge due to a malfunction or error in the app, they may lodge a complaint with the relevant operator.

PAID PARKINGS IN CRACOW

The very center of the Krakow's Old Town is excluded from personal car traffic. The entry is only available to suppliers and special services. Therefore, we ask you to park on available places in the streets surrounding the center of Krakow or use available paid car parks. Please, book secure car parks yourself. Below is some basic information regarding parking in Krakow and some other options for parking around our apartments.

THE NEAREST PAID CAR PARKS

Guarded parking City Center - ul. Poselska 7
350 m from the apartments
Mon. - Sat.  7 am - 10 pm
Sun. - 9 am - 10 pm

Parking - ul. Starowiślna 13
600 m from the apartments
parking lot open 24 hours

Parking - ul. Straszewskiego 14
650 m from the apartments
parking lot open 24 hours

USEFUL LINKS FOR FINDING A PARKING LOT

- Targeo
- Interparking