Disabled Parking Badges in Spain

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Posted and filed under Legal Paperwork (NIE, Residencia, Padron), Motoring in Spain, Newsletters.

We recently had an email from a lady after she had read our newsletter and she confirmed that we could use our conversation to help others regarding disabled badges in Spain.

This is what she asked:

I read Amanda’s blog regarding the rules of driving in Spain. I wonder if someone could explain parking and the use of the disabled blue badge holder.

When we stayed at a hotel in Spain we were given a small ticket to use for parking and were told this was better to use than the British issued blue badge we had. Also, in England, I have a disability benefit which allows me to be car tax exempt, and as such, I can park for free. However, when in my husband’s car, which isn’t tax-free, I may have to pay for parking.

Some areas here allow free parking with a disabled badge, some require payment, even with a disabled badge, if the vehicle is not tax exempt.  I will lose that benefit living in Spain but wonder what their disabled rulings are for parking?

Disabled Parking

I responded to her that I am not an expert on this subject but would do my best to help. Firstly, The CAB Spain has written a good blog on this: https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/faq/disabled-parking-badge-do-i-need-to-pay-for-parking/

In Spain, it depends where you are staying with regard to these rules. They said:

“Visitors to Spain using the Blue Badge from other EU Countries: You may use your badge in all European Union and EEA countries. Please consider that the rules may vary so ask in each country you plan to visit. You may find this information at the tourist offices. Ask for examples of the notices for Blue Badge parking.

Note:  The European blue badge from other countries is only valid when travelling. Once residing in a country different to where your card was issued, you should apply in your country of residence”

So visiting, that is why the hotel was helpful and gave the lady a badge rather than her having to investigate the rules of different towns.

The CAB also confirm that in Spain it depends on where you park. In general, in parking places reserved for disabled, you are exempt.

In other areas (blue zones e.g.) each town has its own rules. There are not many places you have to pay anyway here in Spain for parking. Not even at most hospitals such as Torrevieja Hospital.  In the Orihuela Costa, there are very few parking places that you need to pay for.

The CAB provides a list of the rules of the Spanish towns in Spanish on a link. I translated the Alicante section (below). They say it is best to inquire at town halls of towns you frequently visit, so as not be caught out by a fine if you need or wish to park outside of reserved parking spots.

The conditions of use that apply to disabled parking badges of those are the municipality where the car is parked, not those of the place where the disabled person resides.

When someone moves here (and I hope we can help them with many things!), then they need to apply for a Spanish disabled parking badge.

How to get a Badge

In the Alicante region, resident people whose degree of disability is 33% or more have to go through a process with the Social Security to get a badge in this region, say, in Orihuela Costa or La Zenia. To become registered social services will ask someone to fill in an application form and will then apply for a disability assessment. This is usually done at the INSS provincial centre.  It can take a few months to get an appointment and then more to get the disability certificate. When someone has this certificate (assuming that they have the required “mobility points), they then send off for the parking badge which is issued fairly quickly.

The INSS will need medical records indicating the problems (in Spanish) or a new medical report from a Spanish doctor. People can take any supporting documents (old entitlements etc., always translated into Spanish), NIE, Residencia and Padron as well.

It seems you can then park in the reserved spaces or double the time in the general spaces for limited time periods in the Alicante region. But these things change and it would be best to check when you are moving out with the local town hall information desk.

There are a lot of issues when considering long-term living in another country and we can help with many of them, from the legalities of buying a property to the translation of various documents, help with paperwork, and to pay taxes.

Please contact us if you have any queries or need assistance. We will help with translations, Padron, residencias, … enquiries@spanishsolutions.net

Amanda

32 Comments

  • Mavis turner

    I am going on holiday to Benalmadena Spain on 28 may for 10 days and I have a uk blue badge will our hotel give me a small ticket as said at the beginning wot do I have to do to get it

    • Amanda Thomas

      Good evening Mavis, Benalmadena is a very long way from our office (more than 8 hours south) and rules do vary in different regions. In the first instance, please contact your hotel for guidance and then they can point you in the right direction. We hope you have a lovely holiday. Do come and visit La Zenia one day.

  • Wendy Venters

    I have a blue badge issued by Aberdeenshire in Scotland and which expire in January 2020.
    I would like to know how to renew it here in Spain now that I am resident near San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante.

    I had to go through a very vigorous assessment and pay for my badge in Scotland, would that need to be repeated here, or is the fact that I already have a blue badge sufficient to qualify me to renew it here in Spain??

    Your guidance will be appreciated, thank you

    • Amanda Thomas

      Hi Wendy, Blue badges can be used in the EU while on holiday but now you are living here you will need to apply to the local Social Security office for a Spanish one. Please contact Nicola on enquiries@spanishsolutions.net to check what is required to do this. All the best

  • Edward G. Wright

    I have been through the”inqisition” system,and was refused a Blue Badge because I apparently in someone’s eyes only had 27% ??even though I can only walk very short distance with the aid of a stick and the support of my lovely Wife,I have just received another official letter informing me that I have a rating of 40% ? as this figure is some way over 33%, what should I do? Advice please?

    • Nicola Ryan

      Good Afternoon Edward,

      We are sorry to hear this. You could possibly ask for a second opinión or enter an appeal to the relevent department, we hope this helps.

      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Claire

    Hello all,
    Does anyone know if it is possible to use my Blue Badge in Menorca and what are the rules. Are they the same as in England? Many thanks,
    Claire

    • Nicola Ryan

      Good Morning Claire,

      Thank you for your enquiry.

      It is with regret that we ask you contact a Solicitor in Menorca, the rules concerning the blue badge may differ on the Islands, we are sorry,

      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Mary mcgowan

    Hi
    I’m travelling from Ireland to Spain. Does my blue badge work there?

    • Nicola Ryan

      Good Evening Mary,

      Thank you for your enquiry.

      We have had many enquiries regrading this and the answer is yes, you can.

      Vis­it­ors to Spain us­ing the Blue Badge from other EU Coun­tries: You may use your badge in all European Union and EEA coun­tries. Please con­sider that the rules may vary so ask in each coun­try you plan to visit. You may find this in­form­a­tion at the tour­ist of­fices. Ask for ex­amples of the no­tices for Blue Badge park­ing.

      Please also below, a link to our blog discussing this in more detail.
      https://www.spanishsolutions.net/blog/newsletters/disabled-parking-badges-in-spain/

      We hope this answers your question correctly.
      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Roy

    I have the blue badge already but it needs to be renewed.Can it be renewed locally as I have the small credit card sized card too.
    Where do I go as nothing has changed. Will a doctor’s certificate suffice as one document

    • Nicola Ryan

      Good Morning Roy,

      Thank you for your enquiry.

      If it is a Spanish disabled parking badge it would be best to contact the Social Security offices, they will be able to advise of the process to renew the badge. We hope this helps.

      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Mike Joyce

    I have recently had a heart attack and suffered heart failure. I am still mobile . I am 79 yrs old. Am I eligible for a disabled parking permit.

    • Ian C.

      Hello Mike,

      I’m sorry to hear about your heart attack- Hope you are feeling better.
      We have helped clients in the past with this.
      Let’s see how we can help you,

      Kind wishes,

      Ian

  • Raymond Copestake

    I was forced to sell my property ,due to the fact that I can do longer walk far or climb stairs .As we have only had two years on our paying residence tax ,and not the 3 years ,as is required at our age 77+73 ,we are due to pay capital gains on the sale of our property ,unless we can apply for disability ,due to the fact previously stated ,I would require a 33 pc acceptance pass ,.I require an operation now ,as I am in so much pain ,should I wait until I have been in front of the assessment board. Sorry for the long statement .

    • Ian C.

      Hi Raymond
      It can be difficult to request disability pension, and can be a long process. I will send you our contact details and we can have a chat to see how we can help you further.
      Regards
      Jane

  • Moira Fouracre

    Hello we hope to have a holiday in Tenerife in October and are wondering if we can use my blue badge while we are there as I do not walk very well ?

  • Jane drysdale

    We were given a fine this am for parking in a disabled bay with my uk blue badge on window screen , not realizing they are no longer valid in Andalusia, since Brexit !! Where do we go to pay it, correos?

    • Tracie Miles

      Hi Jane
      You can pay the fine on the DGT website – http://www.dgt.es. You can change the language to English.
      Hope this helps
      Regards
      Tracie

  • Delyth Simmonds

    We are travelling to Granada and Cordoba Spain from Malaga for a weeks holiday and I have a uk blue badge , can I use this to park in Granada am Cordoba

    • Nicola Ryan

      Afternoon Delyth,

      Thank you for your enquiry.

      As the UK are no longer part of the EU, your disability badge will no longer be valid. If you have any doubts, it would be best to check this with the British Consulate. We hope this helps.

      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Diego Villar

    Hola Nicola
    I am travelling to Malaga on the 21stof September,and will be in the Fuengirola area,lhave read the
    Previous comments,but it seems we cannot use the blue badge anywhere in España.
    Can you kindly confirm this
    Regards
    Diego

    • Nicola Ryan

      Afternoon Diego,

      That is correct our understanding is the UK badges can no longer be used as Britain is no longer part of the EU but best to check with the Spanish and British Embassy.

      We hope this helps.
      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • John D Marchant

    I have lived in Spain for 35 years nad are officially a Resident I am 93, but, for my age, I am reasonably fit. However I do tend to fall over sometimes, and wonderered if that with my age would help me get a disabled Parking ticket in Catalunya.John Marchant

    • Tracie Miles

      Good afternoon
      Firstly, to apply for a blue parking badge in Spain you must be a Spanish resident and possess a valid residency certificate, passport and be registered as an inhabitant of the village where you live (padrón). Secondly, you will need your doctors and specialist notes describing your illness or disability.You must have 33% disability to receive your permit.This paperwork must be presented to your local social worker, if you feel that you are unable to complete this process on your own then your lawyer can do this on your behalf with the proper authorization forms.

      This is a lengthy process which can take up to two years, so I would recommend that you start as soon as possible.

      Your social worker will send copies of your documents to the relevant departments and eventually, you will have a medical assessment by a state doctor, if they agree that you have reduced mobility, then you will be issued with a blue parking permit. Hope this helps

  • Jane Sherrington

    I have been told it is possible to apply for Spanish parking permit t oenabled me to use disabled parking facilities in Andalusia now the blue badge isn’t accepted. Is this correct and who would I need to contact? Thank you.

    • Nicola Ryan

      Thank you for your enquiry Jane,

      To apply for the disabled badge, you must meet the following requirements:
      Be resident in Spain.
      Be registered on your local town hall’s padrón.
      Have a recognised disability of at least 33%
      Have reduced mobility that would prevent you from easily using public transport

      If the above applies, you need to contact your local town hall. We hope this helps.

      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Richard Burke

    After 2 years of waiting for an approval for a blue parking badge in Spain, I was approved with 49% disability on September 19th 2022, Now 5 months later I am still waiting for the blue badge to arrive, How much longer will i have to wait as I am now 83 years of age ? Also are there any other benefits I can claim ?

    • Nicola Ryan

      Thank you for your enquiry Richard,

      We would not be able to answer these questions, we are sorry. It would be best to direct these questions to the department dealing with the disabled badge application. We hope you get this matter sorted soon.

      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Moke

    What vehicles can you drive in Spain with a disabled badge? Ie can you drive a large panel van, say Ford transit size?

    • Nicola Ryan

      Thank you for your enquiry Moke,

      The disabled badge allows you to park in certain areas.To confirm what vehicles you can drive, you would need to check your licence or contact the department that issued the disabled badge. We hope this helps.

      Kind regards
      Nicola

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