Free movement, also for people with disabilities!

Today the European Parliament has given the final green light for the European Disability Card and the upgraded European Parking Card for people with disabilities — a major improvement for people with disabilities, supporting their freedom of movement and personal autonomy across the European Union.

Rapporteur Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová (Slovakia), who pushed this file through in record time, is happy with the outcome:

“The European Disability Card and Parking Card will not only simplify travel but will more fundamentally transform the commitment to free movement for all Europeans, as outlined in treaties, into a tangible reality. I am especially proud of having broadened the scope to include EU mobility programmes as well as stays up to three months. Everyone deserves to be able to move freely within the EU — we made it happen.”

The directive introduces a standardised European Disability Card and enhances the current European Parking Card for persons with disabilities. They entitle the holder to equal access to any preferential treatment offered by private operators or public authorities to people with disabilities, such as discounts, reserved seating or personal assistance. Thanks to the European Parliament negotiators, the Disability Card will be issued and renewed free of charge and any fees for the Parking Card cannot exceed administrative costs.

MEP Bergur Løkke Rasmussen (Moderaterne, Denmark), shadow for the LIBE committee, concludes:

"With the extension of the European Disability Card and Parking Card legislation to third country nationals legally residing in a member state, we help the most vulnerable people living in the EU document their disability across national boundaries. That is something we can be immensely proud of.”