How do I report illegal parkers in Berlin? Your guide to fast reporting

Why illegal parking is a problem

In a big city like Berlin, where parking space is limited, illegal parking regularly causes conflict. Whether on private spaces, in front of driveways or on reserved areas — the behaviour of individual drivers drives many residents and owners to despair. The good news: there are legally sound ways to take action.

When is it considered illegal parking?

Illegal parking occurs, for example, when a vehicle:

• stands without authorisation on a private parking space
• blocks a fire access lane, entrance or exit
• parks in a disabled bay without a valid permit
• stands in a no-stopping zone or on the pavement

What matters for the right approach is where the violation happens: on public roads or on private property. In both cases, photos and good documentation will help later when enforcing your rights.

Reporting illegal parkers — your options

There are several ways to report illegal parkers in Berlin. Which is the right one depends on where the violation occurred:

1. Public roads: the district public order office. Illegal parking on public roads is an administrative offence under the German road traffic regulations (StVO). In Berlin, the public order office (Ordnungsamt) of the respective district (Bezirk) is responsible — or alternatively the police. Berlin offers the online service "Ordnungsamt-Online" for reports.
2. Emergencies: the police. For acute hazards, such as a blocked fire access lane, call the police on 110.
3. Private property: the civil-law route. On private parking spaces, the public order office is usually not responsible — enforcement is up to the person entitled to the space. Unauthorised parking there is an unlawful interference with possession (verbotene Eigenmacht, § 858 BGB); you may defend against it and generally have the vehicle towed (§ 859 BGB). The person responsible bears the towing costs at the usual local rate as damages. With suitable signage, a contractual penalty (Vertragsstrafe) may also apply.
4. Digital capture via app. For private property you can use an app like FalschParker.io: scan the number plate, take a photo, confirm the location. FalschParker then handles the contractual penalty process and collections — ideal for anyone regularly affected by illegal parkers.

Tips for effective documentation

When reporting a parking violation, gather the following evidence:

• A photo of the vehicle with a clearly legible number plate
• The location and time of capture (ideally with GPS or a timestamp)
• Additional photos of the situation (e.g. a "private parking" sign, markings)
• A short written description of the incident

This information supports your report. Keep data protection in mind: photos and number plates may be processed on the basis of legitimate interest, but only for this purpose — and they must be deleted once no longer needed.

When is reporting worthwhile?

Not every wrongly parked vehicle warrants intervention. For brief stops, leniency is often appropriate. But for repeated misuse or systematic blocking of private areas, you should take action — at the very least to discourage repeat offences.

Digital help: FalschParker.io as a practical solution

The platform FalschParker.io offers a simple way to document and report parking violations on private property digitally — for private individuals, property managers and companies with multiple parking spaces. It is free for parking-space owners and operators.

FalschParker guides you step by step through the process. If needed, a towing service can be requested directly via the app, and QR-code notices are available free of charge via support@falschparker.io.

Want to report an illegal parker in Berlin? On public roads, contact the public order office or the police — on your private parking space, FalschParker helps you act correctly and in a structured way.

This article is general information and not legal advice.