# German supermarket car-park penalty (fair parken, Park&Control): pay or object?

> Private parking penalties at German supermarkets: contract penalty not a fine, usual EUR 15–30, keeper vs driver (BGH XII ZR 13/19), disputed fees and how to object.

- Web page: https://finecheck.neatfix.app/guides/germany-supermarket-parking-penalty
- Facts checked: 14 November 2026 (2026-11-14)
- Other languages: [Deutsch](https://finecheck.neatfix.app/de/guides/supermarkt-parkplatz-vertragsstrafe.md), [Polski](https://finecheck.neatfix.app/pl/guides/niemcy-parking-supermarket-kara.md)
- FineCheck is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. We provide general information and self-help documents that you complete, sign and send yourself. We do not represent you, we do not contact authorities for you, we never collect fines, and we cannot promise any result.

## What it is

Supermarket car parks are often run by private firms (fair parken, Park&Control, ParkDepot and others). Overstaying or no parking disc leads to a **contract penalty**, not an official fine. Usual amounts: **EUR 15–30**, sometimes up to EUR 60.

## Keeper or driver?

Only the driver made the contract. The keeper does not have to name the driver out of court (Federal Court of Justice, XII ZR 13/19); in court, the keeper must name possible drivers.

## Extra fees

Owner-lookup and first-reminder fees are disputed: a consumer centre is suing Park & Control over EUR 5.85 and EUR 3.50 fees (not final). Reminder fees should be about EUR 3 at most and only after a missed deadline.

## Recommendation

If you parked there and broke a clearly posted rule, paying the penalty itself is usually sensible. With a shopping receipt, ask for goodwill. Object in writing if you were not the driver, the signs were unclear, or fees were added.

## Official links

- ADAC – private parking tickets at supermarkets (26.03.2026): https://www.adac.de/verkehr/recht/bussgeld-punkte/strafzettel-supermarktparkplatz/
- Verbraucherzentrale – private parking tickets: https://www.verbraucherzentrale.de/wissen/vertraege-reklamation/abzocke/knoellchen-auf-dem-supermarktparkplatz-regeln-fuer-private-strafzettel-28016

## Sources

- ADAC, 26.03.2026 – Strafzettel auf dem Supermarktparkplatz: https://www.adac.de/verkehr/recht/bussgeld-punkte/strafzettel-supermarktparkplatz/
- Verbraucherzentrale – private Strafzettel (Stand 14.09.2026): https://www.verbraucherzentrale.de/wissen/vertraege-reklamation/abzocke/knoellchen-auf-dem-supermarktparkplatz-regeln-fuer-private-strafzettel-28016
- Verbraucherzentrale BW – Klage gegen Park & Control: https://www.verbraucherzentrale.de/node/106989

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