Blue Badge holders impacted as popular tourist hotspot introduces new parking rules

This comes just a month after France also recognised the Blue Badge, which helps motorists park their vehicles closer to their destination.

Previously, the recognition of Blue Badges across Spain was determined by local authorities across the nation.

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Foreign travel advice from the UK Government confirms that drivers can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Spain and the Balearic and Canary Isles.

Provisional licences are not valid for driving in Spain, while older motorists with paper licences may need to update to a photocard licence.

Motorists must also ensure that they are always carrying their insurance certificate with them when driving in Spain.

Blue Badges, or other foreign disabled parking permits, must be displayed on the inside of the windscreen.

The RAC states that this allows the vehicle to be parked for an unlimited time in zones which are for loading and unloading. There are, however, time limits for pedestrian zones.

The motoring organisation added: "They also allow parking in some places where it's usually prohibited by signs, if permission has been granted by a traffic warden."

Drivers are also encouraged by the Department for Transport to check local laws before they travel to a new country with their vehicles.

While some countries allow the use of a Blue Badge, drivers may also need to display a local parking notice.

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Greece, Iceland, Luxembourg and Romania accept non-EU parking cards, while only some regions of Italy and Lithuania accept non-EU parking cards.

Drivers with disabilities who are planning on travelling to Slovenia could face issues as authorities may not recognise a non-EU parking card.

A Blue Badge must be renewed every three years, with motorists paying £10 to renew in England and £20 in Scotland. Welsh drivers do not need to pay a fee to renew a Blue Badge.

When applying or renewing, drivers need to have proof of identity, address and benefits, in addition to their National Insurance number and details of their current Blue Badge.

European countries that recognise the UK Blue Badge

• Austria
• Belgium
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece (accepts non-EU parking cards)
• Hungary
• Iceland (accepts non-EU parking cards)
• Ireland
• Italy (non-EU parking cards accepted in some regions only)
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania (non-EU parking cards accepted in some regions only)
• Luxembourg (accepts non-EU parking cards)
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania (accepts non-EU parking cards)
• Slovakia
• Slovenia (may not recognise non-EU issue parking cards)
• Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles)
• Sweden
• Switzerland