British drivers travelling abroad are being warned of new rules that could impact the eligibility of their Blue Badges for parking.
When travelling to Spain, drivers with Blue Badges may face difficulties parking in certain areas using their UK-issued parking permit.
UK Blue Badges are adjudicated by local administrations across Spain, as well as the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.
The UK has updated its guidance to make clear that it continues to work with Spain to ensure mutual recognition of parking permits for disabled people.
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This was emphasised by the "strategic bilateral framework" between Spain and the United Kingdom in September last year.
The framework stated that both nations were "committed to making our transport systems as accessible as possible".
This will be done by improving the transport experience for all passengers and road users with disabilities.
Spain and the UK emphasised the joint commitment to share policy approaches to make transport more inclusive for all.
New rules could be introduced soon regarding the use of UK Blue Badges abroad
| GETTYBoth countries also pledged to sign an arrangement to ensure mutual recognition of parking permits for disabled people, as established under the Blue Badge scheme and relevant Spanish legislation.
The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) states: "In Spain, the responsibility for issuing parking cards for drivers with a disability lies with local and regional authorities.
"The parking card for people with a disability follows a European scheme, i.e., the card of a Spanish driver is valid in any other European country."
Drivers are advised to check local rules regarding whether they can park on roads where parking is prohibited unless local concessions specifically allow it.
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There are believed to be almost three million Blue Badges in the UK
| GETTYThe same applies to driving or parking in pedestrian zones, and rules around parking charges and parking time limit concessions for vehicles displaying the parking card.
The Department for Transport encourages drivers to check whether it recognises the UK Blue Badge before visiting a country.
It stated: "Some countries may require you to display a local parking notice as well as your Blue Badge."
Blue Badges can be used across Europe
| GETTYRecognition of the UK Blue Badge across Europe
- 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 a non-EU-issued parking card
- Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles) - decided by local administrations
- Sweden
- Switzerland