News & Features
Disabled people locked out of Europe
Posted in General News on Thursday, August 4th, 2022
Following Brexit it has been brought to DMUK’s attention that the reciprocal agreement for using a Blue Badge which used to exist between the UK and the rest of Europe is in jeopardy.
Before Brexit UK Blue Badge holders could use their Blue Badge in the rest of the EU so long as they obeyed local disabled parking rules. This was a lifeline to many disabled people and meant that they could travel in the EU without fear that they could park close to facilities and services when in the EU. Many disabled people like to travel using their own vehicle as it is a reliable form of transport which suits their access needs. We see a lot of disabled people use their own vehicle to travel on the continent and prior to Brexit they were often full of praise of how our European neighbours enforced disabled parking and usually said they found fewer bays abused by non-badge holders compared with the UK.
Now, many EU members still recognise UK Blue Badges following Brexit. These countries include Germany, Ireland, Malta and many more. However, many including France, Spain and Greece are ‘undecided’. (The up-to-date list of specific countries can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-using-it-in-the-eu/using-a-blue-badge-in-the-european-union#:~:text=You%20can%20use%20your%20UK,disabilities%20in%20the%20European%20Union)
What does ‘undecided’ mean?
On the government website it lists all EU member states and whether a UK Blue Badge is recognised in that specific country. For the countries that state ‘undecided’ it tells you to contact that country’s embassy. DMUK has done this for France. We contacted both the French embassy in the UK and the UK embassy in France. Each embassy just referred us back to the other without a proper answer on using a UK Blue Badge in France. We still don’t know what ‘undecided’ means – can you use a UK Blue Badge until they make a decision, or can you not use a UK Blue Badge until they make a decision?
When trying to help disabled travellers we are left at a loss of what to advise them. Our best advice is to check locally to the specific area they are travelling to. This is not easy and often can’t be done before travelling, which causes disabled people so much anxiety that they choose to simply not travel. A huge blow to independent living.
Heidi Turner, DMUK Campaigns and Communications Director, said: “Disappointed is not a strong enough word, we are appalled by all European governments involved. This should be a no-brainer reciprocal agreement that will benefit EU citizens when visiting the UK too. DMUK urges the UK government to talk to their counterparts in Europe to make a decision to accept UK Blue Badges. This is another example of disabled people falling far down the priority list. When we have investigated this nobody can give us a definitive answer on Blue Badge acceptance. This leaves disabled holiday makers in a precarious situation on whether they risk using their Blue Badge in countries that can’t make up their mind to accept UK Blue Badges.”
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Richard Pemberton
Friday, August, 5th, 2022
So long as its reciprical here in UK. That is where we are going wrong, we allow, they as in EU dont on many things.
Alan Taylor
Sunday, August, 7th, 2022
Surprise, surprise France is undecided!!
Andy Grey Rider
Friday, August, 12th, 2022
Since Brexit and now Covid, unable to fly in my wheelchair, having it constantly damaged in the cargo hold, we have curtailed our plans to ever visit Europe again. I need a toilet too often and cannot endure crowds. England has many places that meet our needs so, it's a no-brainer. We are on our second stay at a lovely place near Lancaster and the hosts have accommodated our every need, which isn't much really. You'll be surprised how many hotel chains cannot accomplish the basics for disabilities. The reviews with buzz words are lies. Nowhere but home is a five star review. £10 for a BB, humiliation in DWP interviews and medical reviews. Yet, still we are abused by those more disabled in their thinking than us! Nothing surprises us.
Chris Kay
Sunday, August, 14th, 2022
Let’s face it we can rarely park near to facilities and services in the UK no matter anywhere else due to anti car local councils. I used to go abroad on holiday at least twice a year before being disabled and don’t have the slightest bit of confidence doing so now, oh, and this includes going into town centres here in the UK with many, many more in town roads having kerb bars on them. I’ve been disabled now for 14 years and with every year that goes by my Blue Badge seems to become less of a help and is only really helpful these days parking in supermarkets if the spaces aren't already occupied by non disabled, non displaying BB cars.
john Walsh
Sunday, August, 14th, 2022
If blue badges were accepted whilst in the EU and a country becomes undecided after our leaving as to whether or not they wish to continue with that regulation, I would have thought that common sense would prevail and that the blue badge would still be accepted UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT THE EXISTING REGULATION IS REVOKED.......simples! The EU don't like going from A - B in a straight line, they always go via Z. Keeps the 'boys' in jobs!
Pat Gale
Tuesday, July, 25th, 2023
I haven't been on holiday for over seven years after an incident at one of The Middle Eastern airports. My wife and I left Sri Lanka with no problems. I use two crutches to get about. I have to wear a full leg brace. We had to change jets which meant walking a long distance. I was refused help. At a security area I was bundled into a room, my wife was not allowed to help me, they saw my black knee brace, they were shouting at me in their lingo, next thing was they used a Stanley knife to cut the velcro straps, they took it away for x-ray, came back and threw it at me and shouted at me. I felt humiliated and in tears. I vowed never to fly again. I live about five miles from The Port of Dover and started planning a driving trip to Spain. I like many other I started looking at parking for disabled persons. I am disgusted at the 11 countries that are undecided. We have to abide by The ECHR even though we no longer are a part of The EU. How come The EU have not announced all members should accept a disabled persons badge? At airports in France, it is their policy to give assistance to disabled persons. Being the rebel I am. If I want to park in a town and see a disabled spot, I will park there. If I get a ticket I will not pay, if they want to arrest me so be it. I will challenge them with their own ECHR rules. Rant over fellow disabled people, we should not have to fight for our rights. Pat
Pat Gale
Tuesday, July, 25th, 2023
I haven't been on holiday for over seven years after an incident at one of The Middle Eastern airports. My wife and I left Sri Lanka with no problems. I use two crutches to get about. I have to wear a full leg brace. We had to change jets which meant walking a long distance. I was refused help. At a security area I was bundled into a room, my wife was not allowed to help me, they saw my black knee brace, they were shouting at me in their lingo, next thing was they used a Stanley knife to cut the velcro straps, they took it away for x-ray, came back and threw it at me and shouted at me. I felt humiliated and in tears. I vowed never to fly again. I live about five miles from The Port of Dover and started planning a driving trip to Spain. I like many other I started looking at parking for disabled persons. I am disgusted at the 11 countries that are undecided. We have to abide by The ECHR even though we no longer are a part of The EU. How come The EU have not announced all members should accept a disabled persons badge? At airports in France, it is their policy to give assistance to disabled persons. Being the rebel I am. If I want to park in a town and see a disabled spot, I will park there. If I get a ticket I will not pay, if they want to arrest me so be it. I will challenge them with their own ECHR rules. Rant over fellow disabled people, we should not have to fight for our rights. Pat