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REPORT (COM(2023)0512 – C90328/2023 – 2023/0311(COD))

On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities

A-9-2024-0003

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs · Rapporteur: Ďuriš Nicholsonová Lucia

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 25 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's amended version of the Commission proposal for a directive establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities. It sets common rules and a standardised format for both cards, to be issued and renewed free of charge, and makes them mutually recognised across member states. It requires member states to give card holders access to special conditions, preferential treatment and parking facilities on the same basis as nationals, and to provide information in accessible formats. It extends the card to workers and participants in EU mobility programmes, and provides for continued benefits while disability status is reassessed after a move. It requires remedies, a right of redress and penalties, and involves representative organisations of persons with disabilities in implementation and monitoring.

Committee position. The committee proposes to amend the Commission proposal by extending the cards to workers and EU mobility programme participants, providing continued benefits during reassessment, making issuance free of charge, adding appeal rights, strengthening information and awareness measures, and ensuring remedies and redress.

Key points

  1. The directive lays down rules for issuing the European Disability Card as proof of disability status and the European Parking Card as proof of parking rights.
  2. It requires mutual recognition of both cards in all member states, and compatibility with national certificates, cards or other formal documents.
  3. It requires member states to grant card holders access to special conditions, preferential treatment and parking facilities on equal terms with nationals.
  4. It requires member states to issue and renew both cards free of charge, with the Disability Card within 60 days or the national period, whichever is shorter.
  5. It requires the Parking Card to be issued or renewed within 30 days, with a digital version available within 15 days on request.
  6. It requires member states to provide a digital format for both cards, with holders free to use the digital or physical card, or both.
  7. It extends the cards to workers and participants in EU mobility programmes, and provides for continued benefits and social assistance while disability status is reassessed after a move.
  8. It requires member states to make information on the cards publicly available in accessible formats, and to raise awareness, including through a European campaign by the Commission.
  9. It requires the Commission to set up a single Union website collating national information, and member states to establish national websites on special conditions offered by public authorities.
  10. It requires member states to combat fraud and forgery without interfering with the rights of persons with disabilities or stigmatising them.
  11. It requires remedies, a right of redress including adequate compensation, and effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties for violations.
  12. It requires member states to ensure representative organisations of persons with disabilities can participate meaningfully in developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating both cards.

Who is affected

  • Persons with disabilities: gain mutual recognition of their status and access to conditions and parking facilities across member states.
  • Member states: must issue and renew the cards free of charge, provide information and combat fraud.
  • Private operators and public authorities: encouraged to offer special conditions and preferential treatment, and to publish information.
  • Workers and participants in EU mobility programmes with disabilities: covered by the cards and continued benefits during reassessment.
  • Representative organisations of persons with disabilities: can participate in implementation and take action on behalf of persons with disabilities.

Figures and deadlines

  • 60 days: maximum period to issue or renew the European Disability Card, or the national period if shorter.
  • 30 days: maximum period to issue or renew the European Parking Card.
  • 15 days: period within which a digital Parking Card must be available on request.
  • 12 months from entry into force: deadline for the Commission to adopt delegated acts on the digital format.
  • 12 months from entry into force: deadline for member states to adopt and publish national provisions.
  • 24 months from entry into force: date from which member states must apply the provisions.
  • Two years from application, and every four years thereafter: Commission reporting on the directive's application.
  • Level B1 (intermediate) of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: maximum complexity for information.

Legal basis: Article 294(2), Article 53(1), Article 62, Article 91 and Article 21(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.