Abstract: The invention relates to a parking fee payment system for the payment per unit time of the parking tariffs which are due for a vehicle in a particular area, the system comprising input means for inputting tariff data, verification means to enable verification by a parking attendant, means for exchanging data concerning a credit balance on a balance card, and means for debiting said credit balance in accordance with a specified tariff, wherein said system has been divided into a meter device, which can be mounted in the vehicle, and a charging device, which is portable.