The directives creating the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for people with disabilities will ensure equal access to special conditions or preferential treatment for people with disabilities during their short stays across the EU. For example, reduced or free entrance fees, priority access, assistance and reserved parking places.
In addition, the EU Council has adopted a directive extending these provisions to non-EU citizens legally residing in EU countries, which means that they will also be able to use these cards during short stays in other Member States.
The cards will be recognised throughout the EU as proof of disability or entitlement to specific services based on a disability. For their part, the national authorities of each Member State will be responsible for issuing the physical and digital European disability cards in an accessible format. As for parking cards for people with disabilities, these will be produced in physical format, and Member States will have the option to issue them also in digital format.
Both directives must now be signed by the Council and the European Parliament and will enter into force after publication in the EU's Official Journal. Once published, member states will have two and a half years to adapt their national legislation and three and a half years to implement the new rules.
Source of information: Council of the European Union.