The Hospital Parking Charges Bill has become law after receiving Royal Assent, the Health Minister has announced.

The legislation postpones the ending of hospital parking charges that was legislated for in the Hospital Parking Charges Act 2022.

Brought forward in light of severe financial pressures on Northern Ireland's health and social care system, the Bill is intended to prioritise funding for frontline services.

Under the Act, the Department of Health can, by regulations, nominate a new commencement date for the 2022 Act and the abolition of charges. The date must be no later than 12 May 2029 and could be brought forward if public finances allow. Any such regulations will require Assembly approval before they take effect. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: "Removing hospital parking charges would have stripped £7m from our Health & Social Care system at a time of severe budgetary constraints. It would simply have been unaffordable.

"Such a loss in the current financial environment would have resulted in reductions elsewhere, directly affecting services provided to patients and families.

"This legislation therefore protects frontline services from that immediate and unmanaged loss of income.

"The Bill allows for a deferral of a maximum of three years, and no later than May 2029. Importantly, if financial sustainability is achieved sooner than expected, the legislation provides for the 2022 Act to come into operation at an earlier date."

The Bill was introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly in March 2026 under accelerated passage to avoid charges being abolished temporarily and then reintroduced. It has now secured Royal Assent.