Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Hasselt will shorten paid parking to 7 PM, with the first hour free. Alderman Kevin Schouterden leads changes, while opposition PDA urges free neighbourhood parking and extended lot access.
As VRT News reported, the Hasselt city council will change the city’s parking rules to make parking cheaper and reduce traffic in the city centre. Officials say this is the first step in a plan to make parking easier for residents and visitors. They mentioned that the previous system was too complicated, with long pay periods and unclear rules that caused problems for drivers.
Alderman for Mobility Kevin Schouterden says,
“Many people received parking fines too often, which led to considerable dissatisfaction.”
What changes are coming to Hasselt parking rules and costs?
Alderman for Mobility Kevin Schouterden says on-street parking in the city centre will now be paid until 7 PM instead of 9 PM. The first hour of parking will be free, so people can run errands or visit shops without paying. The city says these changes will help manage traffic, reduce congestion at busy times, and support local businesses.
“Anyone who wants to stay longer than two hours is advised to switch to an underground parking garage,”
says the alderman.
The opposition party, PDA, says Hasselt’s planned parking changes are a good first step but do not go far enough. The party welcomes the shorter paid hours and the free first hour, but says more is needed to make parking affordable and easy for residents. PDA believes the current plans only solve part of the problem and that additional measures should be introduced.
“We’re pleased that these measures are being implemented, but parking in Hasselt remains too expensive,”
says party leader Aurelie Decoene.
“We’re seeing too many residents avoid the city centre due to excessive parking fees; that shouldn’t be the intention. Therefore, we’re asking the city to take its changes even further.”
PDA proposes free parking in residential neighbourhoods so residents can park near their homes without paying. The party also wants private parking lots opened after 6 p.m. and on weekends.
“We’re also calling for the cost of on-street parking to be reduced even further. In Genk, for example, you pay one euro per hour after the first hour, while here it’s three euros per hour. Finally, we’re calling for more investment in good and affordable public transport.”
Hasselt has reviewed its parking policy for years due to high costs and traffic in the city centre. In 2015, the city introduced a paid parking system with long hours that many people found confusing.
By 2019, discussions started about reducing paid parking times and making it easier for residents to park. In 2022, EU urban mobility rules encouraged the city to find solutions that make parking affordable and manage traffic. The latest changes, announced in November 2025.
