British people traveling abroad can use disability parking permits in various countries. You may not realize that the blue badge is eligible for use in certain regions of Europe.
If you live in a physical disability or health condition that affects your ability to walk safely, or if you have hidden illnesses such as dementia, autism, or Parkinson's disease, you may qualify for a blue badge. This badge will help you park near your destination.
Whether you are a driver or a passenger, using a blue badge will allow you to park in a disabled parking lot for free and may be exempt from other parking restrictions.
However, as reported in daily records, many of the UK's 2.6 million blue badge holders may not know that many countries around the world have mutual parking contracts with the UK.
These arrangements are intended to promote easy travel for disabled people across countries without the need for extensive documentation to verify parking cards and permits.
These concessions usually include people with disabilities, extended parking periods, or access to parking spaces reserved for parking fee waiver. Gov.uk's guidance explains that UK blue badges can be used when traveling to EU countries, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
This guidance also provides a list of countries with links to pages that include:
Information on Disabled Parking Lot Information Disabled Parking Lot Notifications indicate that they can be printed and displayed with a blue badge.
Where can you use blue badges?
According to gov.uk, the complete list of countries where you can currently use blue badges include:
Austriabelgiumcroatiacypressczech republicdenmarkestoniafinafinafingermanygreecehungerarylaindirelandlattiriechtenstein lithialuxembourgmaltan landsnorwwaypolandportugalromaniaslovakiassoloveniaswitzzernis.
In some other countries in Europe, the rules are less clear. This includes:
France – Non-EU Issued Parking Parking Cards may not be recognized – Non-EU Parking Cards accepted in some regions (including Balearic and Canary Isles) – UK Blue Badge Recognition has been decided by local government across Spain.
However, government websites warn you that you don't need to display local parking notifications in other countries, which may help. You should also note the following:
Local parking rules may apply to various parts of the country. It is possible that various countries of the country have changed rules since the advice was published.
Applying method
You must provide it to apply for a blue badge.
IDPROOF Proof of Addresssta Contact Details (phone number, email, address) for your recent Head and Shoulders Digital Photoyour National Insurance number (if there is one).
To prove your identity, you can provide a copy of either a birth certificate or adoption certificate, passport, driver's license, marriage or civil partnership certificate, or a certificate of divorce or dissolution.
To prove your address, you can provide a copy of a recent council tax bill, a recent letter from a government department such as the Department of Labor and Pensions (DWP), a driver's license, or a recent letter from a school (if under the age of 16).
Certain people are automatically entitled to the blue badge. The criteria for this are for those over the age of 3 and at least one of the following applies:
Receive a higher rate of the Mobility Component of Disabled Living Allowance (DLA) You receive an Individual Independent Payment (PIP) (Registered as a score above 8 points or more under the Mobility Component “Move” Activity (Severe Vision Impaired) registered. Certified as having a permanent and substantial impairment that causes inability to walk, or causing extremely difficult difficulties to walk, receive a Mobility Component of PIP and “Get 10 points to describe after planning and journey.”
Other conditions also qualify for badges, but are not automatically eligible. In these cases:
I don't drive with my arms regularly, but I can't operate my pay and display parking. You mean a child under the age of 3 has a medical condition. Or I think it's difficult or impossible to control your behavior and lack awareness of the impact you may have on others.
For more information, gov.uk/apply-blue-badge.
Blue badges cost up to £10 in England and £20 in Scotland. It's free in Wales. They usually last up to three years.
