Specific parking lots across Europe let you park for free for a restricted time, but you need to use a parking disk.
I explain briefly when you can use a parking disk and how to use it without getting fined.
Parking Disk Application
A Parking disk is used to let the parking authorities know when you have arrived at the parking lot. It's also known as a blue parking disk.
Parking disks are only allowed at specific parking lots or smaller parking spaces if a signboard signals for its use.
You need to look out for the large P sign (which stands for Parking) and below the P sign you will see additional information in the form of a parking disk symbol and a restricted time.
The parking disk logo tells you that you can use your parking disk to park your car, and the restricted time will let you know for how long.
In other words, you can park here for the length of time indicated.
For example, if the restricted time is 3 hours, you will be able to park on that particular parking lot for 3 hours with your set parking disk.
How to set the Parking Disk
Take a look at the time of your arrival at the parking lot and set the dial on your parking disk.
If you arrived at 3 pm, set it to 3 pm. If you arrived at 10:25 am, set the dial to approximately 10:25 am.
Then place the parking disk visibly on your dashboard, behind your windshield so that officers or parking authorities can see your time of arrival when they cycle around the parking lanes.
These parking lots usually have active employees controlling, and they may have cameras, so don't fluke!
Tips
Be careful to not confuse symbols and words. Use a translation tool to help you translate words.
For example, on the below signboard in Germany, it says "mit Parkschein" which means, with a parking ticket (you have to purchase a ticekt). The parking disk symbol is nowhere to be seen, and therefore you can't use the blue parking disk here.
You will find a parking disk in most rental cars. They can be purchased in car accessory shops, auto club stores and car dealerships.
In most instances, once you have exceeded the duration of your free parking disc, you will need to get a parking ticket.
That means if you intend to keep your car for longer in that specific parking lot, you will need to either come back and pay for a ticket, move with your car or pay for a parking ticket without using the parking disk.
Specific parking lots that allow parking disks may do so during restricted hours of the day. For example, 6 am to 6 pm. Look out for extra signboard information that lets you know if you can park for free after 6 pm.
Don't get caught exceeding your time or resetting your parking disk, they will find out, and then you will get fined.
Most tourist places have pay parkings and they don't allow parking disks. You will encounter parking lots that accept parking disks in smaller towns and villages.
Blue Parking Disk lots are more common in Western and Central Europe.
Read More: Parking Safety Tips for Europe.
Actually, you shouldn't try to approximate your actual time of arrival, because the parking time is measured in half-hour intervals beginning on the full and half hour. Any partial interval at the start is free. So, if you arrive at 9:00, set the disc to 9:00, because that's when your measured parking time begins. If you arrive at 9:05, your measured parking time starts at 9:30, and the 25 minutes before that don't count; so, set the disc to 9:30. If you try to approximate 9:05 on the disc, it's going to look like 9:00, so you may get ticketed even if you leave within the allowed time.
OK, so I fibbed a bit above. In some countries, the time is measured in 15-minute intervals. The principle is the same. You should check the local regulations.
Thanks for the tip. As you said, each country has its own rules, so it makes sense to look them up. But generally speaking, most ticket-issuing authorities won't give you a ticket if you are 15 minutes late, because most parking disks are anyway not that exact in showing the time.