UK Blue Badge now recognised in Italy, government guidance says
Italy had accepted non-EU disability parking cards only in some regions. The Department for Transport's country list now shows a straightforward yes.
Disabled drivers and passengers taking a UK Blue Badge to Italy can now expect it to be recognised across the country, according to an update to the Department for Transport's guidance on Wednesday morning.
The change was logged on GOV.UK at 8.35am with a one-line note saying the badge is recognised in Italy. Until now the department's table of European countries said Italy accepted parking cards issued outside the EU in some regions only. The entry now simply reads yes.
The UK Blue Badge stopped being covered automatically by EU arrangements after Brexit, and recognition has since been sorted out country by country. France was added to the recognised list in August 2025 and Spain in September 2025, although the Spanish entry was later revised. It now says recognition is decided by local administrations, and that the UK is still working with Spain on mutual recognition. Wednesday's note on Italy is the fourth change to the page since August 2025.
Where things stand elsewhere
Most of the 31 countries and territories in the guidance are marked as recognising the badge, including Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Norway and Switzerland. Besides EU members, the list takes in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. A handful of entries are less clear cut:
- Greece, Iceland, Luxembourg and Romania are listed as accepting non-EU parking cards
- Lithuania accepts them in some regions only
- Slovenia may not recognise a card issued outside the EU
- there is no information for Bulgaria
In Denmark and Switzerland a parking disc, or clock, must also be shown when using time-limited concessions.
Before travelling
Recognition does not mean the concessions match those at home. The department says rules can vary between areas within a country and can change, and advises checking local regulations or asking the local authority or tourist office before parking. It suggests carrying supporting papers, such as a doctor's note or a translation of the badge, particularly in countries with stricter rules.
Each country entry links to the FIA's disabled motoring pages, which list the local parking authority contacts. Travellers can also sign up on GOV.UK for an email alert whenever the guidance is changed.
