The national blue badge scheme provides parking concessions for people with certain disabilities.
A blue badge lets you park closer to the shops and services you need to use, whether you’re the driver or a passenger in a car.
The blue badge is for on-street parking only. There are different rules for off-street parking.
Off-street parking includes places like council, hospital or supermarket car parks.
Find out more on the Government website
All European countries recognise blue badges. This lets you make use of the same parking concessions as the country’s own citizens with disability.
Parking concessions for blue badge holders differ from country to country. It’s important to check the rules in the country you’re visiting.
Am I eligible?
You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you are aged 3 or over and at least one of the following applies:
- you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- you receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can’t walk more than 50 metres (a score of 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component)
- you are registered blind (severely sight impaired)
- you receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- you have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking
- you receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for descriptor E under the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress
If you have any score other than 10 points under descriptor E, in the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity of PIP you may still be eligible for a Blue Badge, but you do not automatically qualify. This includes if you have a higher score of 12. You will have to provide evidence to demonstrate your eligibility which will be assessed as part of your application.
Further details about eligibility and other circumstances where you may qualify can be found on the Government website.
Find out how you can get a blue badge
What if I have a blue badge from another area?
If you move to Cornwall from another area, you can continue to use your old badge until it expires.
- You can apply for a new badge when your old badge expires
- You should tell the council that issued your old badge about your change of address
