The new information concerns a UK issued Blue Badge
The Foreign Office has shared new advice for people heading to France(Image: 2025 Anadolu/Getty Images)
The Foreign Office has shared new advice for people heading to France. The European country is visited by millions of tourists every year and is a short flight from the UK.
The travel agency’s new information concerns a UK issued Blue Badge. It provides advice about the risks of travel, to help people make informed decisions before travelling. The Blue Badge scheme allows people with severe mobility problems to park closer to the places they intend to visit.
You can have a Blue Badge if you are a driver or a passenger, the badge is for parking on the street and does not apply to car parks. If you have a physical disability or health condition that affects your ability to walk safely, or you suffer from a hidden illness such as dementia, autism or Parkinson’s, you might be eligible for a Blue Badge.
The Foreign Office says: “If you are visiting France, you may be able to use your Blue Badge in some circumstances. Check local parking rules.
“Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.”
The government body said when parking you should 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.
For several European countries, the Foreign Office has updated the safety and security section on Gov.uk, stating: “If you are visiting [country] you may be able to use your Blue Badge in some circumstances. Check local parking rules.” The countries are below:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- France
You can apply for or renew a Blue Badge here through the official GOV.UK website. You will need to provide:
- Proof of identity
- Proof of address
- A recent head and shoulders digital photo
- Your national insurance number (if you have one)
- Contact details (phone number, email and postal address)
Police give you on-the-spot fines for driving offences, including speeding. You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in France. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.