Parliament ready for talks on an EU-wide Disability Card

Equal rights and conditions for EU Disability Card or Parking Card holders when travelling or visiting other EU countries

EU Disability Card to be issued within 60 days, EU Parking Card within 30 days, both free of charge

MEPs want those moving to another member state for work or study to also be covered by the directive

Parliament today adopted its mandate for negotiations with the Council on the EU disability card and the parking card for persons with disabilities.

Parliament’s mandate, prepared by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, introduces deadlines for issuing and renewing the cards - within 60 days for the EU disability card and within 30 days for the parking card. Parliament also introduces the option to request a digital version of the parking card, to be ready in 15 days.

MEPs propose that both cards should be available in physical and digital format and free of charge. They want the rules and conditions when someone applies for the card to be available in accessible formats, including national and international sign languages and braille, and in easily understandable language.

To ensure access to benefits and social assistance for those working or studying in another member state, MEPs amended the proposal to temporarily protect European Disability Card holders that move to another member state for work or study, until their status is formally recognised, including those travelling for an EU mobility programme, such as Erasmus+.

Member states and the Commission should raise citizens’ awareness about the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities, MEPs say, including by setting up a website with information on how to obtain, use and renew the cards in all EU languages and national and international sign language.

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Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová (Renew, SK), rapporteur, said: “This law will not only make travel easier, it will also turn the EU’s treaty commitment to free movement for all Europeans into a reality. I believe there is good political will from both Parliament and Council to reach an agreement quickly. This is a start, not the end. The fight for persons with disabilities to have the same rights as every other EU citizen is a long-term one and we have to bring changes to EU legislation, especially in the field of social protection."

Next steps

Negotiations with Council will begin at the end of January. Member states already agreed on their position.