Forest, Belgium – A Brussels resident is raising concerns about a potential flaw in the municipality’s visitor parking system, alleging he received four unwarranted parking fines despite properly paying for parking using a visitor code. Rasmus, who asked to be identified by only his first name, says the incident highlights a troubling trend of automated enforcement potentially targeting drivers who have already fulfilled their parking obligations.
Rasmus regularly visits his father in Forest, who recently underwent hip surgery. Recognizing the high cost of parking near Forest National – up to €5 per hour – he utilizes a system offered by the municipality allowing residents to provide visitors with unique codes for discounted parking. These codes, activated via SMS, are intended to streamline the process and reduce expenses. According to Rasmus, he successfully used these codes on March 5th, 6th, 7th, and 14th, receiving confirmation texts each time.
However, several days later, Rasmus received four separate parking notices totaling €187. “If I hadn’t checked, I would have paid without questioning it,” he stated. “It’s incomprehensible, considering I had already paid for my parking.” The situation prompted him to question the accuracy of the automated enforcement system and the potential for similar errors affecting other drivers.
Concerns Over Automated Enforcement
Rasmus believes the issue stems from the vehicles used for parking control. “Before, a parking attendant would physically verify the parking status. Now, a car drives by and issues fines automatically,” he explained, suggesting a lack of human oversight increases the risk of errors. He expressed particular concern for elderly individuals who might not scrutinize the fines as closely.
“It feels like a real racket,” Rasmus said, emphasizing his worry that others may unknowingly pay for fines they don’t owe. He has already contested one of the fines and intends to appeal the remaining three.
Parking.brussels Acknowledges Potential “Bugs”
Contacted for comment, Parking.brussels, the agency responsible for parking management in Brussels, acknowledged the possibility of technical issues. Spokesperson Pierre Vassart explained the system’s functionality: visitors receive a code which they activate by sending their license plate number via SMS or an application.
Vassart admitted that “disruptions in connection with the scanning vehicle” can occur, potentially preventing the system from correctly registering a valid payment. However, he maintained that such errors are “exceptional.” He assured that Parking.brussels systematically cancels fines when proof of payment is provided and encouraged drivers to contest any questionable notices. “The average response time for appeals is five days,” Vassart added.
Rising Complaints and Legal Recourse
This isn’t an isolated incident. Ombuds Bruxelles, the Brussels mediator, reports a significant increase in parking fine complaints. In 2025, they received 450 complaints, nearly double the 233 recorded in 2024. The majority of these complaints concern Parking.brussels, though some also target municipal services.
Emmanuel Delanoye, a tax lawyer, confirmed that contesting a parking fine is a viable option. According to a report in La Libre Belgique, Delanoye emphasized the importance of providing evidence, such as payment confirmations or SMS history, to support an appeal. “With concrete evidence, the chances of success are real,” he stated.
A “More User-Friendly” System, Still Imperfect
The visitor code system in Forest was implemented to replace older physical cards, aiming to simplify the parking process and offer a more affordable rate of €0.60 for 4.5 hours of parking. However, Rasmus’s experience, and the increasing number of complaints, suggest the system still requires refinement.
Rasmus hopes his experience will serve as a warning to others. “You always have to check, because even when you pay, you can still be fined,” he said.
The incident raises broader questions about the reliance on automated enforcement and the need for robust quality control measures to protect drivers from erroneous fines. Parking.brussels has stated it is working to address the technical issues, but the growing number of complaints suggests a continued need for vigilance and a streamlined appeals process.
Drivers who believe they have received an unjust parking fine in Brussels are encouraged to contact Parking.brussels directly and file an appeal with supporting documentation. Further information on the appeals process can be found on the Parking.brussels website.
