The chronic shortage of parking spaces in Belgrade, particularly in the city’s central municipalities, has encouraged the development of private parking facilities, which are becoming an increasingly common way of addressing the problem. Vračar, Zvezdara, Palilula and Stari grad are just some of the areas where demand for parking spaces is high, prompting owners of courtyards, plots of land and other suitable areas to see this as an opportunity to generate income.
However, opening a private parking facility is not simply a matter of finding a suitable plot and installing a barrier. To operate such a business legally, it is necessary to meet the prescribed urban planning and construction requirements, register the business and regulate relations with parking users. In addition, rental prices are significantly influenced by the location, security and facilities available at the site.
Attorney Miloš Crnomarković explains that private parking facilities are most often established in courtyards and on plots where it is not possible to construct buildings. However, the fact that a building cannot be constructed on a particular plot does not automatically mean that the land can be used as a parking lot. Before starting the business, it is necessary to check the permitted use of the plot and determine whether the planned activity is allowed under the applicable urban plan.
According to him, anyone interested in starting this type of business should first check whether the specific location is suitable for this purpose and then determine which permits and other documents are required. Otherwise, an investment in preparing the plot could prove problematic if it is subsequently determined that the site does not meet the prescribed requirements for use as a parking facility.
In addition to issues concerning the land and permits, the future owner must also regulate the legal status of the business. As with other economic activities, it is necessary to register as an entrepreneur or establish a company, such as a limited liability company. Registration is carried out with the Business Registers Agency (APR), thereby creating the formal conditions for conducting the business activity.
As for users of private parking facilities, Crnomarković advises against relying solely on a verbal agreement with the owner of the space. Instead, he recommends signing a contract that clearly defines the rights and obligations of both parties. “The contract should specify the duration of the lease, the amount of the monthly or annual fee, the right to use the parking space, the tenant’s obligations, as well as the obligations of the landlord,” Crnomarković says.
Such a document allows the user and the owner to establish in advance the conditions for using the parking facility, the period for which the space is rented and the amount to be paid. By agreeing on these elements in advance, the possibility of misunderstandings concerning payment, the duration of the lease or the right to use a particular space is reduced.
Location is crucial to the price
Parking spaces in central areas, near business centres, tourist attractions and public institutions, are generally in higher demand. In such parts of the city, drivers often have difficulty finding an available space, making them more willing to pay a monthly fee to have guaranteed parking.
By contrast, in locations where the supply of parking spaces is greater or demand is lower, the potential to charge higher prices may be more limited. Therefore, when assessing the profitability of such a business, it is necessary to consider not only the size of the plot and the costs of preparing it, but also the number of potential users, accessibility and competition.
An example of how demand can affect prices is provided by a private parking facility in Vračar, where the monthly fee ranges from €120 to €150. This is the amount users pay to have a parking space in an area of the city where parking is often difficult.
The owner of a private parking facility in Vračar says that such spaces are a response to the growing number of residents and the shortage of parking spaces in some of the city’s municipalities. However, simply having a space available is not the only thing tenants expect from parking facility owners. When choosing a parking facility, users often look for a space that is well-lit, covered by video surveillance and secured with a barrier or physical security.
Source: Biznis.rs, 02.10.2026