Disabled parking in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s streets have a number of parking spaces reserved for the cars of people with a physical disability. Marked with a wheelchair icon, these disabled parking spaces can only be used by people who have a valid disabled parking permit. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about Amsterdam’s disabled parking regulations to prepare you for your next drive into the city.
Disabled parking permits
In order to park in a disabled parking space in Amsterdam, you must have a valid disabled parking permit. This permit can be for the driver or passenger and must be clearly displayed on the window or dashboard of the car. A disabled parking permit issued outside The Netherlands can be used in Amsterdam, provided that the wheelchair symbol on the card is clearly visible (as stated on the City of Amsterdam website).
Where you are allowed to park
With a valid disabled parking permit, you are allowed to park in a disabled parking space or a blue zone. A disabled parking space can be recognised by a blue road sign with a white wheelchair icon. A blue zone is an area demarcated with a blue line or a ‘P Zone’ road sign where you can park for a specific period with a parking disc. This practical, interactive map provides an overview of all public disabled parking spaces throughout Amsterdam.
Please note that you are never allowed to park in parking spaces for loading and unloading (Dutch: ‘laden en lossen’) and private disabled parking spaces that are not your own. A private disabled parking space can be recognised by a road sign with a wheelchair icon and a specific name or number plate.
When to pay for parking
With a valid disabled parking permit, you can park for free in public disabled parking spaces along the street in Amsterdam. However, you must pay standard parking fees when parking in a parking garage or a parking lot with a barrier (for which you need a ticket to enter and exit).
If you live in Amsterdam
If you live in Amsterdam, you can apply for a European disabled parking permit at your local ‘Stadsloket’. If you meet specific criteria, this municipal department will arrange a disabled parking permit for you.
In addition, you can combine your European disabled parking permit with a free digital parking permit for disabled residents living in Amsterdam. With this digital permit, parking is free in certain areas where you typically have to pay.
If you’re visiting Amsterdam (but live elsewhere in the Netherlands)
If you’re visiting Amsterdam and living elsewhere in the Netherlands, you must use your European disabled parking permit issued by your own municipality. You can also combine your European disabled parking permit with a free Amsterdam parking permit for disabled visitors. With this digital permit (linked to your licence plate), parking is free in certain areas where you would typically have to pay.
For more information about disabled parking in Amsterdam, please see the City of Amsterdam website.
Josephine Rees is the founder of Able Amsterdam, a website about wheelchair-friendly places and activities in Amsterdam. For more information, follow Josephine on Instagram and check out the Able Amsterdam website.
