Abandoned VW Golf Accumulates EUR200,000 in Parking Fees at Berlin Airport

A peculiar situation at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has come to an end as a Volkswagen Golf, which had been parked for over a year, was finally towed away. This vehicle had amassed an astonishing EUR200,000 in parking fees, drawing attention to the negligence surrounding long-term parking regulations.

The gray VW Golf had been occupying a spot in the short-term parking area of the airport since January 2024. While the first ten minutes of parking are free, the hourly rate skyrockets to EUR23 thereafter, leading to significant charges for long-term parking. With a daily fee of EUR552, the total parking fees accumulated over such a lengthy period became exorbitant, yet the situation went unaddressed for months.

Despite multiple stakeholders, including the airport management, APCOA Deutschland GmbH (the parking management company), local police, and the local district office being made aware of the situation, none took responsibility for the abandoned vehicle. Reports indicate that the vehicle remained untouched in a prime location directly in front of the terminal building.

On the morning of January 28, 2025, around 10:45 a.m., an official towing service arrived to remove the vehicle. The towing was executed without much fanfare, and the identity of the car's owner remains unknown. There is speculation about whether the vehicle could have been stolen, as the license plate currently under investigation does not correspond to the VW Golf.

The incident has prompted questions about parking enforcement and responsibilities at busy airports. It raises concerns about how such a lapse in management could occur, allowing a vehicle to accumulate such an extraordinary amount in fees without any action being taken.

As for the future of the accumulated fees, it remains uncertain whether the owner, if located, will be held accountable for the outstanding charges. Communication attempts with APCOA Deutschland GmbH for clarification on the matter have so far gone unanswered.

Fortunately, with the removal of the vehicle, an additional parking space has become available at the busy airport, which may help alleviate some of the congestion typical of the area.