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OPINION (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.

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Committee on Transport and Tourism · Rapporteur: Erik Bergkvist

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The Committee on Transport and Tourism gives its opinion on the proposed directive creating a European Disability Card and a European Parking Card for persons with disabilities. It welcomes the proposal, which provides for mutual recognition of the cards across member states and replaces the system set up by Council Recommendation 98/376/EC for parking cards. It proposes amendments to make the cards free of charge, accessible in braille and digital formats, and supported by national contact points linked through a European web portal. It asks for clear information to travellers on cross-border passenger services, and for the Commission to assess the directive's objectives and interaction with other Union law.

Committee position. The committee welcomes the Commission's proposal and proposes amendments to make the cards free of charge, accessible in braille and digital formats, supported by national contact points and a European web portal, and to ensure clear information for cross-border travellers.

Key points

  1. The rapporteur welcomes the Commission's proposal and supports combining the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card into one proposal.
  2. The proposal sets common rules for issuing both cards and common standardised models, replacing the multiple existing national parking cards.
  3. Each member state should set up a National Contact Point as a one-stop shop, connected through a European web portal, to give cardholders a clear overview of conditions and services in each member state.
  4. The Commission should adopt delegated acts within 12 months of the directive's entry into force to set the digital format of the cards.
  5. Member states should ensure operators of cross-border passenger services give travellers clear information at purchase on where special conditions or preferential treatment apply.
  6. The rapporteur refrains from amending the scope, leaving member states to decide based on national practices, to avoid a bureaucratic burden.
  7. The Commission should regularly assess whether the directive has met its objectives and its interaction with other Union law, and if appropriate propose amendments.
  8. The European Disability Card should replace national disability recognition cards or certificates where scope and application are identical, and otherwise be issued automatically alongside them.
  9. Issuance and renewal of both cards should be free of charge, and member states should ensure cardholders can appeal decisions on issuance or renewal.
  10. The cards should contain all relevant information in braille, and the European Disability Card should be mutually recognised in all member states and by the EU institutions.
  11. Member states should make information on the cards publicly available in accessible formats including braille, audio version, national sign languages and easy-to-read formats.
  12. Member states should ensure private operators and public authorities apply the same conditions to cardholders as to national citizens with a recognised disability, with sanctions for breaches.

Who is affected

  • Persons with disabilities: gain mutual recognition of their disability status and access to special conditions in other member states.
  • Member states: must issue the cards, set up National Contact Points, and ensure accessible information.
  • Private operators and public authorities: must provide clear information and apply equal conditions to cardholders.
  • Workers with disabilities, including cross-border workers: the cards should be available to them for work-related purposes.
  • Women and girls with disabilities, mothers and carers: the legislation should recognise their rights and protect them from intersectional discrimination.

Figures and deadlines

  • 12 months after entry into force: deadline for the Commission to adopt delegated acts on the digital format of the cards.
  • 30 days: maximum period for issuing or renewing the European Parking Card.
  • 15 days: right to request the digital version of the European Parking Card.
  • 12 months after entry into force: deadline for implementing acts under Article 12(2).
  • 6 months after the date of transposition: deadline for the Commission to establish the European web portal.
  • Two years after the date of application, and every five years thereafter: the Commission shall submit a report on the application of the directive.
  • 12 months after entry into force: deadline for member states to adopt and publish laws to comply with the directive.
  • 24 months from the date of entry into force: date from which member states shall apply the provisions.