How to apply for a Blue Badge
Everything you need to apply with confidence, and what happens next.
Applying for a Blue Badge is more straightforward than many people expect. You apply through your local council (or the official service for your nation), and you can usually save your progress and come back to it, so there is no rush.
These guides take you through it one step at a time: what to have ready, the photo and proof you need, what it costs where you live, how long a decision takes, and what your options are if the answer is no. Being refused is not the end of the road, and we explain how to ask for a review or appeal.
Guides in this section
How to apply for a Blue Badge, step by stepA clear, step-by-step guide to applying for a Blue Badge: what to have ready, how to apply online, and what happens after you submit.Read the guide What documents and evidence you need for a Blue BadgeThe proof of identity, address and benefits you need to apply for a Blue Badge, plus the supporting evidence that helps an assessed application succeed.Read the guide How much does a Blue Badge cost?What a Blue Badge costs in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, why it differs, and a warning about third-party sites that overcharge.Read the guide What to do if your Blue Badge application is refusedBeing refused a Blue Badge is not the end of the road. How to understand the decision, ask for a review, and reapply with stronger evidence.Read the guide How long does a Blue Badge application take?How long you will wait for a Blue Badge decision, what can slow it down, and what to do if you need a badge urgently.Read the guide
Last updated: 12 June 2026. We review our guides regularly, but rules change, so always confirm with the official source for your nation.