Disabled Parking Badges In Spain

If you're living in Spain or planning to move here and have a disability that affects your mobility, you may be entitled to a disabled parking badge — known locally as a Tarjeta de aparcamiento para personas con discapacidad. These badges allow you to park in specially designated bays and often provide other parking benefits to make day-to-day life more accessible.

Unlike standard parking permits, these badges are issued to the individual, not the vehicle. This means you can use it whether you're driving your own car or riding with someone else, as long as you're present during the journey. It’s a valuable support tool for those with reduced mobility, but it’s important to understand how it works — and how to apply.

What the Badge Allows You to Do

With a valid Spanish disabled parking badge, you can typically park:

• In clearly marked disabled bays
• Closer to building entrances in public and private parking areas
• Free of charge in many pay-and-display or restricted zones (although some areas may still charge)

Keep in mind: if you park in a disabled space without displaying a valid badge, fines can reach up to €200. And in some cases, the car may be towed.

Visiting Spain with a Badge from Abroad

If you're visiting Spain from another EU or EEA country and already hold a blue disabled badge, good news — it's valid here. Spain recognises these under the EU mutual recognition scheme. You can park in designated disabled bays, though local rules may vary.

Tourists are advised to visit the nearest tourist office to confirm local parking norms, especially in cities where signage may not be in English and enforcement is strict.

What About UK Blue Badges After Brexit?

Despite Brexit, the UK’s Blue Badge is still recognised in Spain as of 2025. You may wish to download and print a Spanish-language notice from the UK government to accompany your badge — this isn’t mandatory, but it can help avoid confusion with traffic wardens unfamiliar with foreign documents.

Print your UK Blue Badge notice in Spanish

Applying for a Disabled Badge as a Spanish Resident

If you live in Spain full-time and meet the criteria, you’ll need to apply for a Spanish badge via your local Ayuntamiento (town hall). Requirements can vary slightly by region, but the general conditions include:

• Being officially resident in Spain
• Being registered on the local padrón municipal
• Having an officially recognised disability of at least 33%
• Having a mobility issue that prevents or significantly hinders the use of public transport

Applicants will need an NIE number and, in most cases, an EU passport or valid Spanish residency. Although a residency certificate is not always required, it is legally mandatory if you live in Spain more than 90 days per year.

How the Process Works

Start by requesting the application form from your town hall. It's often called a Solicitud de Reconocimiento de la Condición de la Minusvalía. You’ll then be referred to an accredited medical evaluation centre — usually a Centro de Diagnóstico y Orientación — where your disability level and mobility limitations will be assessed.

If approved, you can submit your completed application along with your documentation to the town hall. Expect a wait — some regions process applications in 6 months, others may take over a year. Renewals are typically required every few years, depending on the severity and permanence of your condition.

Finding Local Rules by Region

Each autonomous community in Spain has some discretion on how it implements disabled parking regulations. You can check requirements for your area using this Spanish-language resource:

Regional requirements for disabled parking badges (in Spanish)

If the page isn’t in English, use Google Translate to view it in your preferred language.

Need extra support while living in Spain?

Whether you’re navigating the healthcare system or applying for official documents like your disability badge, private health cover can offer peace of mind. Explore our Sanitas Mas Salud Family plan — designed to support individuals and families with reliable access to medical care, diagnostics, and more. Get a quote today.