The cities of Schwabach, Fürth, Erlangen, and Nuremberg, together with the Chamber of Skilled Trades for Middle Franconia, report positive results for the first half of the year: Since the launch of the joint “Handwerksparkausweis+” on January 1, 2026, 1,191 permits had already been issued by June 30. The “Handwerksparkausweis+” makes day-to-day work easier for businesses that operate across city boundaries. With just one pass, they can take advantage of the same special parking regulations in all four cities and no longer have to deal with differing requirements.

Click here to apply for the permit

Park vehicles closer to the job site

“Our goal is to create favorable conditions for the trades. Shorter distances and less time spent looking for parking mean more time for the actual work,” explains Nuremberg Mayor Andreas Krieglstein. For many trades businesses, working across city boundaries is part of everyday life—whether it’s customer appointments in Nuremberg, jobs in Fürth, or work assignments in Erlangen and Schwabach. The Craftsman Parking Permit+ ensures that they can park their vehicles closer to the job site, while also establishing uniform regulations across all four cities.

“The enthusiastic response confirms our approach of working together with neighboring cities to create concrete improvements for businesses. Efficient and reliable operating conditions are crucial, especially for the skilled trades. The “Handwerksparkausweis+” is a successful example of how intermunicipal cooperation makes a tangible difference in businesses’ day-to-day operations,” summarizes Andrea Heilmaier, Nuremberg’s Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Science (Photo: sw Press Office)

How Many Permits Have Been Issued and Where

Most permits have been issued in Nuremberg so far. There, 886 businesses received a “Handwerksparkausweis+.” Next are Fürth with 171, Erlangen with 85, and Schwabach with 49 permits issued.

The Chamber of Crafts for Middle Franconia, together with the economic affairs officers of the cities of Schwabach, Fürth, Erlangen, and Nuremberg, launched the “Handwerksparkausweis+” program. The project was implemented by the traffic authorities of the four cities in collaboration with the Chamber of Crafts, the City of Nuremberg’s Economic Development Agency, and the Special-Purpose Association for Municipal Traffic Monitoring in the Greater Nuremberg Area. Since January 1, 2026, craft businesses have been able to apply for the permit.

“The ‘Handwerksparkausweis+’ demonstrates what good cooperation can achieve: less bureaucracy and a noticeable reduction in the burden on our craft businesses. The high demand in the first half of the year makes it clear that we have precisely met the needs of these businesses with this initiative. We should continue to work consistently on practical solutions like this to reduce bureaucracy,” says Rainer-Johannes Wolf, Executive Director of the Chamber of Crafts for Middle Franconia.

“The large number of inter-city Crafts Parking Permits issued in the first few months shows that pragmatic solutions are very well received and in high demand by our businesses. The Crafts Parking Permit is a good example of how service-oriented administrative action and straightforward solutions can make day-to-day work easier for the skilled trades. An example that will hopefully set a precedent,” notes Mathias Schuch on behalf of the City of Erlangen’s Economic Development Office.

Where Parking Is Permitted

The Trades Parking Permit+ is a standardized exemption permit under the Road Traffic Regulations. It makes it easier for trades businesses to find parking near their job sites. With this permit, vehicles belonging to trades businesses may park:

• in resident parking zones
• in restricted stopping zones
• in traffic-calmed areas
• during delivery hours in pedestrian zones, and
• without time restrictions in parking spaces requiring a parking disc or parking ticket

Parking is free for up to two hours at parking ticket machines; after that, the regular parking fee must be paid.

How to Obtain the Permit

You can apply for the Handwerksparkausweis+ at the motor vehicle authorities of the participating cities. Businesses based in Schwabach, Fürth, Erlangen, or Nuremberg should contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in their respective city. Businesses based outside these four cities may choose which of the participating Departments of Motor Vehicles to submit their application to.

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