Parking apps have made parking in the Netherlands a lot easier. No more hassle with coins or parking meters. With apps such as Yellowbrick, Parkmobile and others, you pay for your parking spot quickly and often for less. In this article we compare the most popular parking apps and explain how to set them up and use them.

Why use parking apps?

Parking apps offer plenty of advantages over traditional parking with coins or a debit card at a meter:

Convenience: Start and stop your parking session with a few taps on your phone. No more searching for a parking meter or the exact change.

Save money: You only pay for the time you actually park. No more wasting money on parking time you bought but did not use.

Extend remotely: Running late? Simply extend your parking time from your phone, wherever you are.

Overview: View your parking history and costs in the app. Handy for your records or expense claims.

Widely accepted: The major parking apps work in virtually every municipality in the Netherlands and in many other European countries as well.

Yellowbrick: the Dutch favorite

Yellowbrick is one of the most widely used parking apps in the Netherlands. The app is known for its user-friendly interface and broad acceptance.

Installing and setting up Yellowbrick

Download Yellowbrick from the App Store or Google Play Store. Open the app and create an account with your email address. Enter your license plate number and link a payment method: you can choose iDEAL, direct debit or a credit card.

Parking with Yellowbrick

Open the app once you have parked. Your location is detected automatically. Check that the correct rate and zone are shown and tap 'Start parking'. When you return to your car, open the app and tap 'Stop parking'. You only pay for the minutes you were parked.

Extra Yellowbrick features

Yellowbrick offers more than just street parking:

Parking garages: Reserve and pay for parking spaces in parking garages.

Gas stations: Pay at participating gas stations through the app.

Car wash: At some gas stations you can also pay for your car wash through Yellowbrick.

Multiple license plates: Add several cars to your account, handy for families or if you have a company car.

Parkmobile: parking internationally

Parkmobile is a large international player that operates in many European countries. For people who regularly drive across the border, it is a convenient option.

Creating a Parkmobile account

Download the Parkmobile app and create an account. Enter your personal details, license plate number and payment details. Parkmobile supports various payment methods, including direct debit and credit card.

Parking with Parkmobile

The parking process is similar to Yellowbrick's. Open the app, check your location or enter the zone code that you often see on parking signs. Start your session and stop it when you leave. Parkmobile charges per minute.

Parkmobile abroad

A big advantage of Parkmobile is its international coverage. The app works in Belgium, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and many other countries. So you do not need to download a separate app when you park abroad.

Besides Yellowbrick and Parkmobile, there are more options:

EasyPark

EasyPark is a Scandinavian app that is also popular in the Netherlands. The app offers similar functionality and works in more than 4,000 cities worldwide. EasyPark is known for its clear interface and good customer service.

Parkline

Parkline is a business parking solution that is also available to private individuals. The app is especially popular with companies because of its extensive reporting options.

ANWB Parkeren

The ANWB (the Dutch motoring association) has its own parking app that integrates with other ANWB services. For ANWB members, this can bring extra benefits.

Comparing parking apps

Which app is best for you? Here is a comparison on the key points:

Costs and transaction fees

Most parking apps charge a small amount per transaction, usually between 0 and 15 cents per parking session. Some apps offer subscriptions where you pay no transaction fees. Compare the terms, especially if you park often.

Coverage in the Netherlands

Yellowbrick, Parkmobile and EasyPark work in virtually every Dutch municipality with paid parking. For smaller apps, always check whether your municipality is supported.

Ease of use

All the major apps are designed for quick operation. Yellowbrick is often praised for its simple interface. EasyPark has a modern look and Parkmobile offers many extra options.

Extra features

If you regularly park in parking garages or need international coverage, factor that into your choice. Yellowbrick is strong in street parking in the Netherlands, while Parkmobile excels in international coverage.

Tips for using parking apps

Get the most out of your parking app with these tips:

Check your location

GPS can sometimes be off by a few meters. Always check that the app shows the correct zone or street before you start your session. If in doubt, you can enter the zone code shown on parking signs.

Set reminders

Many apps can send you a reminder before your parking time runs out. Turn on these notifications so you never forget to extend or stop your session.

Check parking hours

Pay attention to the hours when paid parking applies. In many municipalities, parking is free in the evening and on Sundays. The app automatically uses the correct rates, but it is useful to know this.

Keep your app up to date

Parking rates and zones can change. Make sure you always have the latest version of the app installed for accurate information.

Add multiple license plates

If you have several cars or regularly drive a rental car, add multiple license plates to your account. That way you can switch quickly without entering your details again.

Common problems and solutions

Here are solutions to common problems with parking apps:

GPS cannot find my location: Check that location services are turned on for the app. Move to a spot with a good GPS signal or enter the zone code manually.

The session will not start: Check your internet connection and whether your payment method is still valid. If the problem persists, contact the app's customer service.

I got a parking ticket: Check your parking history in the app. If your session was running correctly, you can file an objection with the municipality using the proof from the app.

Wrong license plate entered: Correct your license plate right away in the app settings. During an active session you can often still make changes. If in doubt, contact customer service.

Parking apps and privacy

Parking apps collect location data and parking history. If privacy matters to you, review the app's privacy policy. Most apps only use your data to provide the service, but it is good to know what happens to your data.

Parking apps in CarPlay and Android Auto

Some parking apps are available in CarPlay or Android Auto, which makes it even easier to start a parking session from your car's screen. Check whether your favorite app supports this feature.

Conclusion

Parking apps make parking in the Netherlands simple, flexible and often cheaper too. Yellowbrick is the most popular choice for use at home, while Parkmobile is ideal if you also park abroad. Download one or more apps, set them up with your license plate and payment method, and see how easy modern parking can be. No more hunting for change or running back to the parking meter.

Frequently asked questions

Which parking app works throughout the Netherlands?

Yellowbrick, Parkmobile and EasyPark work in virtually every Dutch municipality with paid parking. With one app you can park in most cities.

Are parking apps cheaper than the parking meter?

Yes, often they are. With parking apps you only pay for the time you actually park, while at a meter you often pay too much. Some apps do charge a small transaction fee per session.

Can I extend my parking time through the app?

Yes, you can extend your parking session as long as the maximum parking duration has not been reached. Simply do it from your phone, wherever you are.

What if my phone battery dies while I am parked?

Your parking session keeps running until you stop it. If your phone battery is dead, you can log in on the parking app's website from another phone or a computer to end your session.

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