Invited along with all the other Sakharov Laureates to the European Parliament in 2008, José Payá Sardiñas was not allowed to leave his country and as a result did not participate in the Conference celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Sakharov Prize.
Tugadh cuireadh dó, i dteannta le hiarbhuaiteoirí eile Sakharov, chun Pharlaimint na hEorpa in2008 ach ní raibh cead ag José Payá Sardiñas an tír a fhágáil agus ní raibh sé in ann páirt a ghlacadh sa Chomhdháil ag ceiliúradh Chomóradh fiche bliain Dhuais Sakharov.