The post Brexit ‘reset’ of relations between the UK and Spain which was agreed last Autumn appears to be taking a little longer than expected. Britons have already been subjected to long queues and confusion of the new EES entry/exit system at airports and now it appears that Spain and the UK have yet to reach an agreement over Blue Badge drivers in Spain.
Negotiations are taking place about the recognition and use of UK Blue Badges in some European countries since Brexit. In Spain, it’s currently undecided whether UK Blue Badges are recognised and the best advice is to check with the Spanish Embassy before travelling.
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. Transport Minister Simon Lightwood has clarified the status of the UK Blue Badge abroad, announcing that formal recognition has been secured with France, while a final deal with Spain is now on the horizon.
It comes after UK travellers have faced uncertainty regarding whether their disabled parking permits would be accepted in European holiday hotspots following Brexit. British drivers heading to Spain will have to wait a little longer as the DfT has confirmed it is currently “working on the final agreement” with Spanish officials to ensure the same level of reciprocity. The government expects this to be settled shortly, allowing badge holders to “travel with confidence” to both of the UK’s most popular Mediterranean destinations.