Parking remains the top local concern for residents of Greater Athens, according to a GPO poll, reflecting how life depends on private cars.
A 2026 study by researchers at the National Technical University of Athens found that more than six in 10 drivers spend over five minutes searching for parking, while about one in three spends more than 10 minutes, worsening congestion, fuel consumption and emissions. Athens contrasts with European cities that use parking policy to reduce car dependence.
Research from Germany found average parking-search times of just 1.5 minutes, aided by pricing policies and alternative transport options. Examples from Vienna, Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich and Tokyo suggest parking restrictions work only when reliable public transport and mobility choices already exist.
In Greece, mandatory parking spaces in new buildings have not solved the problem. Expanding parking reinforces car use, making public transport a faster, more reliable and more attractive solution.
