Digitalisation and acquisitions accelerate smart parking growth
Newsletter I Smart Parking & Mobility Solutions I November 2026
From parking space to smart mobility platform
The European market for smart parking solutions is growing and evolving. Standalone parking systems are giving way to integrated platforms that bring together parking management, payments, reservations and enforcement. At the same time, acquisitions are driving further growth in scale.
A growing market for smart parking solutions
The European smart parking market is expected to grow from US$4.1 billion in 2025 to US$12.9 billion in 2033. Investments in smart cities, the rise of electric vehicles and the need to use scarce parking space more efficiently are supporting this growth. Parking is increasingly becoming part of a broader approach to mobility that also brings together charging infrastructure, shared mobility and public transport.
From standalone hardware to connected platforms
The value of parking solutions increasingly lies in the combination of software, data and services. Integrated platforms help users find, reserve and pay for a parking space. At the same time, operators gain greater insight into how their locations are used.
Technologies such as automatic number plate recognition, smart sensors and AI make it possible to forecast occupancy and adjust pricing to demand. For providers, this shift also means a change in their business model: recurring software and service revenues are becoming more important alongside one-off hardware sales.
Acquisitions bring together technology and scale
This development is also reflected in the M&A market. In 2025, the smart parking sector recorded 20 transactions, compared with 14 in 2024. Buyers are seeking specialist technology, access to new markets and opportunities to expand existing customer relationships.
Digital parking platforms are acquiring businesses to broaden their offering, while infrastructure investors are strengthening their position in the sector. The boundaries between parking, access control and mobility services are also becoming less distinct. As a result, the pool of potential strategic buyers is expanding.
Growth opportunities call for a focused approach
For business owners and investors, opportunities lie in scalable platforms and complementary technology. Further growth does, however, require attention to varying municipal procurement processes, fragmented responsibilities and data protection requirements.
The Oaklins Smart Parking Newsletter brings these developments together, providing an overview of the key market trends, M&A drivers and recent transactions.
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