Brussels,

European Disability Card and European Parking card for persons with disabilities

The EU decided a new Directive aimed at improving the mobility and accessibility of persons with disabilities across the EU:

1. European Disability Card
2. European Parking Card.

European Disability Card

The European Disability Card will act as proof of disability status throughout the EU and grant equal access to special conditions or preferential treatments.

These benefits include free or reduced entry fees, priority access, personal assistance, and mobility aids in areas like public transport, cultural events, museums, and leisure facilities.

This card will complement, not replace, national disability cards, which will continue to be issued by national authorities based on their own criteria.

European Parking Card for Persons with Disabilities

The improved European Parking Card will ensure access to reserved parking spaces across all EU countries. It will replace the current national parking cards, providing a standardized solution for parking accessibility.



Next Steps and Legal Framework

The directive will set rules for the Cards, including their physical and digital formats, conditions for issuance, and accessibility of information for persons with disabilities. National authorities will be responsible for issuing the cards, which will be recognized EU-wide. Non-EU citizens legally residing in EU member states will also be covered by this initiative.

The Cards builds on the ongoing EU Disability Card Pilot Project in eight EU countries and follows the commitment made by the Commission in the EU’s Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030.

For further details, you can access the Directive establishing the European Disability Card and European Parking Card and the Directive extending these cards to non-EU citizens.

Commission's proposal for a directive establishing these cards was made in September 2023, and the Council and European Parliament reached an agreement in February 2024. Additionally, the directive extending these provisions to non-EU citizens residing in the EU was agreed upon in March 2024.

The agreement of the Directive

The agreement of the Directive