EU free movement must become a reality for people with disabilities

Under Renew Europe’s leadership, the Committee on Employment and Social affairs adopted its negotiation position with a huge majority and is ready to enter into inter-institutional negotiations on the directive on the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for people with disabilities. The file is a pivotal in ensuring equal treatment for people with disabilities and in supporting their freedom of movement and personal autonomy across the Union, as it aims to guarantee that people with disabilities can access the same special conditions or preferential treatment for services, public transport and other facilities as their local counterparts, when visiting another Member State.

Rapporteur Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová (Independent/Slovakia), Member of Renew Europe, is committed to ensuring that the legislative report is adopted before the end of this term.

She says:

"This long awaited for piece of legislation will not only simplify travel but also transform the commitment to free movement for all Europeans, outlined in treaties, into a tangible reality. It's high time to ensure that everyone, including individuals with disabilities, can move freely within the EU.

I am thrilled that we have a robust mandate from the committee. The EP negotiation team’s top priority for the upcoming negotiations is to swiftly pass the directive. We also aim to incorporate exceptions to the general exclusion of social security benefits and assistance. This exception would be applicable when individuals with disabilities relocate to another Member State for employment, education, or participation in an EU mobility program, until their disability status is re-evaluated and officially recognized."