The new EU blue disability parking card that can be used by residents and tourists in Spain
UK citizens who are resident in Spain will also be able to use the new cards during trips to other EU countries
The Council of the EU is rolling out a brand new European disability card and a European parking card for drivers with disabilities. The new directive was announced on Monday October 14 and aims to make travelling and accessing preferential treatment much easier.
The new EU disability card and parking card are designed to ensure equal access to special conditions or preferential treatment for people with disabilities during short stays throughout the European Union. This means that people with disabilities will be able to enjoy reduced or free tickets, priority access, assistance and reserved parking in all EU countries.
Furthermore, citizens of countries outside the EU who are legally resident in EU member states will also be able to use these cards during short stays and holidays in other EU countries.
"National authorities will be responsible for issuing physical and digital European disability cards in an accessible format. The cards will be recognised throughout the EU as proof of disability or entitlement to specific services on the grounds of disability," the Council said in a statement.
The blue disabled parking cards will be issued in physical format as before, but member states will have the option of producing them in digital format as well.
The two directives will now be signed by the Council and the European Parliament and will enter into force after publication in the official gazette of the EU. Member states will have two and a half years to adapt their national legislation to both directives and three and a half years to implement the measures.
When using your EU parking card, you should display it in the windscreen of your vehicle, and the front of the card must be clearly visible for checking purposes.
If you're a UK citizen with a Blue Badge, you can use it in many European countries, including Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Find all the latest motoring and transport news here or join our Driving in Spain Facebook group for regular updates
Images: European Commission
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