Using a UK Blue Badge in France: is it recognised and where can you park? (2026)
According to GOV.UK (Department for Transport), in guidance updated on 28 October 2026 and checked on 4 November 2026, the UK Blue Badge is recognised in France, but parking rules vary from place to place, so check the local rules before you park.
Two official pages differ on paid street parking: Your Europe says you must pay where payment is required (free in Paris and some other cities), while the French government page says that the French card (CMI) parks free of charge; a town may set a time limit, never under 12 hours; barrier car parks may charge. Check the signs and the parking meter before you leave the car.
This is information, not legal advice. Parking rules for disabled people differ from town to town and change. We quote GOV.UK, the European Commission and national governments word for word, with the date we checked them. Always check the local signs and rules before you park, and ask the local authority when the official answer is unclear.
At a glance
| GOV.UK: UK Blue Badge recognised | “Yes” (Recognised) |
|---|---|
| Extra requirement (GOV.UK) | None stated in the table |
| FCDO travel advice | Mentions the Blue Badge (quoted below) (page updated on 22 October 2026) |
| Local parking rules | Your Europe page for the EU parking card (quoted below) |
| Latest GOV.UK change for France | 8 August 2025: UK Blue Badge recognised in France. |
| Checked | 4 November 2026 |
What GOV.UK says
| Country or territory | UK Blue Badge recognised | More information |
|---|---|---|
| France | Yes | – |
Check before you travel
Before visiting a country, check whether it recognises the UK Blue Badge. Some countries may require you to display a local parking notice as well as your Blue Badge.
Source: GOV.UK: Using a Blue Badge in Europe (GOV.UK (Department for Transport)), page updated on 28 October 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
Local rules
Even in countries that recognise the Blue Badge, parking rules can vary in different parts of the country. Rules can also change, and some countries may have changed their rules since the pages linked to this guidance page were published.
You should research local parking regulations or get in touch with the relevant local authority for specific information. Local tourist information centres can also provide advice on parking rules for disabled people and may tell you about any specific requirements or restrictions in the area you are visiting.
For up-to-date information always check the local parking rules of the place you want to use your Blue Badge before parking.
Source: GOV.UK: Using a Blue Badge in Europe (GOV.UK (Department for Transport)), page updated on 28 October 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
Supporting documents
We recommend that you carry any supporting documentation that may be required, such as a doctor’s note or a translation of your Blue Badge, especially when travelling to countries with stricter parking rules.
Source: GOV.UK: Using a Blue Badge in Europe (GOV.UK (Department for Transport)), page updated on 28 October 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
FCDO travel advice for France
If you are visiting France, you may be able to use your Blue Badge in some circumstances. Check local parking rules.
Source: GOV.UK: France travel advice (GOV.UK (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)), page updated on 22 October 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
The French card (CMI)
The French government describes the French card, the carte mobilité inclusion (CMI), like this:
Mention Stationnement qui permet de se garer gratuitement
Our translation: “Stationnement” (parking) mention, which lets you park free of charge
La carte vous permet, vous et la personne qui vous accompagne, d'utiliser gratuitement et sans limitation de durée toutes les places de stationnement ouvertes au public en France et dans l'ensemble des pays de l'Union européenne
Our translation: The card lets you, and the person travelling with you, use free of charge and with no time limit all parking spaces open to the public in France and in every European Union country
La commune peut toutefois décider de limiter la durée de stationnement, sans pouvoir la fixer à moins de 12 heures. Par ailleurs, une redevance peut être exigée pour l’accès aux parcs de stationnement équipés de bornes d’entrée et de sortie utilisables depuis votre véhicule.
Our translation: However, the town (commune) can decide to limit how long you can park, but it cannot set the limit at less than 12 hours. Also, a fee can be charged to enter car parks with entry and exit barriers that you use from your vehicle.
Source: Service-Public.gouv.fr: Carte mobilité inclusion (CMI) (Service-Public.gouv.fr (French Government)), page updated on 28 April 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word in French.
In short, for the French card: free of charge; a town may set a time limit, never under 12 hours; barrier car parks may charge. GOV.UK does not say whether a UK Blue Badge gets exactly the same in France, and Your Europe (below) says that you must pay where street parking is paid, except in Paris and some other cities.
Where you can park: local rules
GOV.UK says what a recognised Blue Badge gives you (GOV.UK page from 2014):
The Blue Badge is recognised in some European countries and allows you to make use of the same parking concessions as the country’s own citizens with disability.
Source: GOV.UK: Find out where Blue Badge holders can park (GOV.UK), page updated on 16 December 2014, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
Your Europe, the European Commission’s guide, gives these local rules for holders of the EU parking card in France:
General rules
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. Although there is a national system of parking concessions, local variations can apply - Check locally Legislation insists on a free access to reserved parking places for disabled people and prohibits any kind of equipment which limits their access.
Source: Your Europe: EU parking card for people with disabilities – France (Your Europe (European Commission)), page updated on 21 October 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
Parking on the street
Do not park on roads where parking is prohibited. You must pay to park on roads where payment is required. In Paris and in some other cities, vehicles displaying the parking card may be parked on roads free of charge - Check locally In many areas you may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time - Check locally Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones
Source: Your Europe: EU parking card for people with disabilities – France (Your Europe (European Commission)), page updated on 21 October 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
In car parks
Car parks give concessions to vehicles displaying the parking card. Check car park notices or ask an attendant.
Source: Your Europe: EU parking card for people with disabilities – France (Your Europe (European Commission)), page updated on 21 October 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
On using a parking card in another EU country, Your Europe says:
Before travelling to another EU country, check the conditions applicable in that country.
When you use your card you should display it at the front of the vehicle. The front of the card must be clearly visible for checking purposes.
Source: Your Europe: EU parking card for people with disabilities (Your Europe (European Commission)), page updated on 16 September 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
Driving there? Driving in France with a UK licence: do you need an IDP? · Tolls in France
Coming in 2027 and 2028: the European Disability Card and European Parking Card
Other countries
Blue Badge abroad: every country in one table · Driving abroad: do you need an international driving permit?
Questions
Can I use my UK Blue Badge in France?
Yes. GOV.UK answers “Yes” for France in its table of countries that recognise the UK Blue Badge. The FCDO travel advice says: “If you are visiting France, you may be able to use your Blue Badge in some circumstances. Check local parking rules.”
Where can you park with a Blue Badge in France?
GOV.UK does not list local rules. Your Europe, the European Commission’s guide, gives these rules for holders of the EU parking card in France: “Do not park on roads where parking is prohibited. You must pay to park on roads where payment is required. In Paris and in some other cities, vehicles displaying the parking card may be parked on roads free of charge - Check locally In many areas you may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time - Check locally Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones” GOV.UK says that rules can vary in different parts of a country: check the signs and the local rules where you park.
What is the Blue Badge equivalent in France?
The French card is the carte mobilité inclusion (CMI) with the “Stationnement” mention. Service-Public.gouv.fr says (our translation): “The card lets you, and the person travelling with you, use free of charge and with no time limit all parking spaces open to the public in France and in every European Union country” “However, the town (commune) can decide to limit how long you can park, but it cannot set the limit at less than 12 hours. Also, a fee can be charged to enter car parks with entry and exit barriers that you use from your vehicle.” In short: free of charge; a town may set a time limit, never under 12 hours; barrier car parks may charge. That page describes the French card; GOV.UK does not say whether a UK Blue Badge gets exactly the same.
Spotted a change? Tell us.
GOV.UK text: contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. European Commission text: reuse authorised with acknowledgement of the source. Before You Fly is not a government site.