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The European Disability Card is born: it will work across Europe
The Council informs that has adopted new directive that will make it easier for persons with disabilities to travel within the EU.
By eEuropa
Strasbourg, 15 October 2024 – 2 MIN READING
Strasbourg, 15 October 2024 – 2 MIN READING
The new Directive establish that the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card issued by a EU member state will be recognised and valid everywhere in Europe.
The aim is to guarantee equal access to special conditions or preferential treatment for individuals with disabilities during short stays across the EU. This may include reduced or free entry fees, priority access, assistance services, and designated parking spaces.
In addition, ministers have adopted a directive that extends these benefits to non-EU citizens legally residing in EU countries, enabling them to use these cards during short-term stays in other member states as well.
National authorities will be responsible for issuing both physical and digital European Disability Cards in accessible formats. These cards will be recognized across the EU as proof of disability or eligibility for specific services related to a disability.
The European Parking Cards for persons with disabilities will be issued in physical form, with the option for member states to provide digital versions as well.
After the signature by the two EU legislators, member states will have two and a half years to update their national legislation and three and a half years to implement the measures.
In September 2023, the Commission presented a proposal for a directive to establish the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities. The Council reached an agreement with the European Parliament on 8 February 2024.
A proposal to extend the European Disability Card and Parking Card to non-EU citizens legally residing in EU member states was published in October 2023. The Council and Parliament reached an agreement on this directive on 4 March 2024.
Continue reading, including the text of the new EU Directives for disability…
The aim is to guarantee equal access to special conditions or preferential treatment for individuals with disabilities during short stays across the EU. This may include reduced or free entry fees, priority access, assistance services, and designated parking spaces.
In addition, ministers have adopted a directive that extends these benefits to non-EU citizens legally residing in EU countries, enabling them to use these cards during short-term stays in other member states as well.
National authorities will be responsible for issuing both physical and digital European Disability Cards in accessible formats. These cards will be recognized across the EU as proof of disability or eligibility for specific services related to a disability.
The European Parking Cards for persons with disabilities will be issued in physical form, with the option for member states to provide digital versions as well.
After the signature by the two EU legislators, member states will have two and a half years to update their national legislation and three and a half years to implement the measures.
In September 2023, the Commission presented a proposal for a directive to establish the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities. The Council reached an agreement with the European Parliament on 8 February 2024.
A proposal to extend the European Disability Card and Parking Card to non-EU citizens legally residing in EU member states was published in October 2023. The Council and Parliament reached an agreement on this directive on 4 March 2024.
Continue reading, including the text of the new EU Directives for disability…
© Copyright eEuropa Belgium 2020-2024
Sources: Eurofound, Eurostat and © European Union, 1995-2024
Sources: Eurofound, Eurostat and © European Union, 1995-2024
