European Parliament in Talks on EU-wide Disability Card

Photo source: European Disability Forum

The European Parliament recently adopted its mandate for negotiations with the Council of the European Union on the EU disability card and the parking card for persons with disabilities.

The proposed directive introduces an EU-wide Disability Card and revamps the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities to make sure that, when travelling for a short period, they have access to the same special conditions as those residing in that member state, including access to parking. According to Parliament, persons with disabilities regularly encounter barriers when travelling or visiting another member state as their disability status is not always recognised across the EU.

Both cards will be for EU citizens whose disability status and rights are recognised by the member state they reside in, their family members, and those accompanying or assisting them. To ensure third country nationals who reside in the EU are covered, the Commission has put forward a complementary proposal.

“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,” Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová, rapporteur (European Parliament), said.

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

“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,” Nicholsonová said.

European Parliament’s mandate

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.