Alectryon

Has anyone here applied for a Spanish Disability Parking Badge?

I know that they are not much use as most parking spaces designated for disabled drivers are usually taken up by the Spanish equivalent of the White Van Man and anyone who can't be bothered to park elsewhere, ie. the entire Spanish driving population, but I thought that I would apply seeing as how my British badge expired some five years ago. I still use it because having had it displayed on the dashboard the sun has conveniently obliterated the expiry date.

Today I went to the town hall and made an appointment with the social services lady for the 14th September to try and obtain a new one. She wasn't that helpful and rattled off at an unbelievable rate of knots a list of the documents that I would need - including, as far as I could make out, a letter from a British doctor stating that I was eligible!

I should be grateful if anyone would let me know of their experiences - if any. Thanks

Dick Dasterdly

I don't think they dish them out so freely in Spain or most other EU countries as in the UK.
I imagine a letter from a UK doc could be a major step in the right direction though the Lord only knows what other documentation they will be requiring.

shaggymon

You need to be registered disabled in Spain including an award of a certain number of points indicating the degree of your mobility problems. To become registered social services will get you to fill in an application form and will then apply for a disability assessment for you. This is usually done at the INSS provincial centre. It can take 6 months to get an appointment and then another two or three to get the disability certificate. When you have this certificate (assuming you have the required "mobility points" you can then send off for the parking badge which is issued fairly quickly.

The INSS will need your medical records indicating your problems (in Spanish) or a new medical report from a Spanish doctor. You should also take any supporting documents (old entitlements etc...in Spanish), NIE, Residencia (maybe Padron as well but can't remember), passport etc.

mondeo

Every couple of years or so I simply scan the badge into the computer, alter the date and print it off on card, then I plasticise it.
Life's too short to be bothering with all that Spanish Red Tape.
The majority of Disabled Parking spaces are in private car parks such as Supermarkets anyway.....!!!

Domino

last year could hardly walk from waiting room to doctors surgery, asked him about a badge for the car and was told in no uncertain terms I didnt qualify

also asked if I could have a flu jab and was told I didnt qualify

theres nothing like being white male over 60

snikpoh

We applied for as badge for our friend who was dying of lung cancer. He couldn't walk but had been given a wheelchair. The answer we got was 'no way, he doesn't need one'!!!

So, if not being able to walk and only having a few weeks left to live is not enough of a claim, what is???

agoreira

The opposite here in UK, when you go into our surgery, you log in on a computer screen with your details, and it reminds you you are due a flu jab. Then when I get seen, they give me a bo11ocking for not having had it done.

Domino

your surgery has a different budget to mine obviously,..

dr told me to get a set of bloods taken, asked at reception got told 3 days wait to see a nurse to take the bloods.
walked in to the local hospital next morning without an appt, waited 4 mins, bloods taken no problem. nurse did ask why I was there and told her gp sent me, she said they would be cross charging surgery for their time.
ho hum

Alectryon

Thank you for the information about the Parking Badge.

Concerning the flu' jab, here in Jaen I get a letter late September from the Department of Health telling me that because of my age and my disabilities I should contact my local surgery and they will arrange a time for me to have my jab. It is all very simple and efficient.

agoreira

No complaints with my local surgery, when I hear all the negative views about UK medical services I sometimes think we are living in different countries. Ours is a large setup, with all services on site, pharmacy, opticians, all the various clinics, minor surgery etc (I'll be there next Monday!). Phone at 8am and you'll be seen that morning, or afternoon if suits you better, all repeat prescriptions ordered online. Can be a bit of a wait to see a specialist, but apart from that, I've no complaints. Even free parking!

Domino

was referred to muculoskeletal dept over 8 weeks ago, 3 weeks ago received a "holding" letter saying they had received the request and would be contacting me at some time in the future, then 3 paragraphs as to the actions they would take if I didnt accept the appointment given. Which I am still waiting for.

Ex-pat

When we arrived in Spain, OH had a disability blue badge from UK.
We asked about changing this as it would expire within 6 months.
We duly saw social services who gave a temporary blue badge and referred us to be seen by their doctor in Alicante for assessment.
We waited two years, then went with all info from local doctor in Spain.
We also had to see a social worker who told us that after the assessment all paper work had to be sent to Valencia and we would be contacted by the town hall.
when we asked how long approx we had to wait the social worker shrugged her shoulders and said maybe 2 years.
Within two months we received a social security number and went to the town hall and received the blue badge.
So in Alicante province, providing your disability is proven we received this badge after 2 and a half years.