Parking in the city isn't just a matter of finding a spot: it's knowing how to pay for the right amount of time. Your smartphone has become your parking control: activate it when you get out of the car, pause it if you get back early, extend it if your meeting runs long. No more rushing to the parking meter, no more coins in the cup holder. But with zones, license plates, restricted traffic zones, and hours that vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, the line between convenience and fines can be a fine.
In this article, I'll explain how to turn your phone into your best ally: which features allow you to pay by the minute rather than a flat rate, how to set up smart alerts to avoid exceeding your limit, how to register multiple license plates and download receipts to help you obtain reimbursements or tax deductions. We'll also look at the most common pitfalls (from the "worth more than the app" sign to the battery dying at the wrong time) and best practices for worry-free parking. Paying for parking spaces with your smartphone is simple; doing it right will save you time, money, and worry.
Paying for blue lines on your smartphone: a step-by-step guide
Your phone has become your pocket parking meter. To get started without a hitch, download an app enabled for the city where you're parking, record your license plate and payment method, then activate parking from the app by selecting the correct area on the map or entering the zone code shown on the sign. Always check the times on site: the app shows you the estimated duration and cost, but the signs are the reference. Once you've started your session, you can extend it remotely if the meeting runs long or end it early if you leave early, paying only for the actual minutes when the platform allows it. In Rome, in addition to multiple apps, you can also text 4882888 with your license plate and zone (e.g., "AA123BB Z1"); on the ATAC website, you'll find the official page and partners, useful if you want to avoid surprises during checks.
The most popular apps: what they really offer
ParkingMyCar It was created as a platform for booking parking spaces in cities, airports, ports, and stations, and has extended its services to on-street parking. Starting in August 2025, thanks to an agreement with ATAC, it will allow you to pay for parking in blue parking spaces directly in the app in the capital. On its website and official stores, the company advertises its availability for both on-street and on-street parking; the ATAC channel confirms its availability among its partners. If you travel frequently, it's a practical option because it combines garage reservations with the management of on-street parking where available.
EasyPark It is among the solutions with the broadest coverage, operating in over twenty countries and in Italy in major cities such as Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Verona, Genoa, Parma, and Catania, as well as hundreds of other municipalities. The app allows you to start, extend, and end parking from your phone, receive notifications, store receipts, and—for frequent parkers—choose between a pay-per-use fee or a fixed monthly subscription. In select locations, it offers advanced features such as "camera parking" for automatic access to the parking lot and in-car integration; in 2025, it is also introducing EV charging management from the same interface.
Telepass (Telepass/Telepass Pay X app) integrates parking on blue lines with per-minute payment, the option to change the parking duration, and a digital ticket to display where required. The service is available in major cities such as Rome, Milan, and Turin, as well as in many other Italian cities; corporate communications for early 2025 mention over 350 municipalities covered. Telepass also maintains a very large network of affiliated parking facilities, useful if you alternate between street and garage parking and want a single bill.
Features that make the difference
The truly useful features are those that save you time and fines. Remote parking starts and ends avoids the hassle of running to the parking meter and optimizes your paid parking minutes; notifications alert you when your time is about to expire; the digital receipt history facilitates reimbursements and expense reports. If you manage multiple cars, multi-license plate registration is essential. For frequent parkers, fee-free parking plans may be more cost-effective than pay-per-use.
Where they work best: cities and contexts of use
If you're traveling between major cities and tourist areas, EasyPark is often the most immediate choice thanks to its extensive coverage across Italy (Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, and many others) and the seamless experience between street and parking facilities. Telepass is particularly convenient if you alternate on-street parking with partner parking at stations, airports, and trade fairs, keeping everything in a single app and account; the portals dedicated to individual cities (Rome, Milan, Turin, Bari, Naples) display local rates and regulations before you begin parking. ParkingMyCar excels in advance booking of urban and airport parking garages, and today, for those who need to Pay for parking on blue lines in Rome, offers the convenience of staying in the same app even for on-street parking. In any case, always check the city manager's website to see which apps are officially enabled, so officers can verify payment directly from the license plate.
Small operational vademecum
Before tapping "Start," read the parking area's signage: the day, times, and zone codes take precedence over the app. Make sure you've selected the correct license plate and set a reminder halfway through your stay. If you return early, close the session to avoid paying for unused time; if you stay longer, extend your stay without returning to your car. In the historic center or in restricted traffic zones, paying for parking does not authorize access: always check times and access points, especially at night in busy nightlife areas. In Rome, in addition to apps and text messages, ATAC maintains payment channels on parking meters (Pay&Go): a useful alternative if your phone battery dies.
