The EU agrees on the establishment of a European disability card

Soon a regulatory revolution for people with disabilities? The European Parliament agreed, Friday February 9, on the establishment of a European disability card which will give access, in all countries of the Union, to the same preferential treatment. The card would concern transport, cultural events, museums or sports centers, the institution announced.

“People with disabilities have been impatiently awaiting this legislation”commented Slovak MEP Lucia Duris Nicholsonová (Renew), rapporteur of the text. “This card goes beyond simply facilitating travel: it embodies the EU’s commitment to guaranteeing the free movement of all Europeans”added the centrist elected official.

The harmonized “European parking card”

Issued and renewed free of charge, the new “European disability card” will be in physical format, and when possible in digital format. Furthermore, the “European parking card” will now be harmonized and extended in a binding manner to all Twenty-Seven.

Both cards must be issued within 90 days, unless longer medical checks are required. The agreement must now be formally ratified by the Council (Member States) and the European Parliament before entering into force. Once the directive has been transposed into national law, states will be required to impose fines and adopt corrective measures in the event of violations.