Commission wants to introduce European disability card

The European Commission wants to standardise the recognition of disability status across the EU. It wants to do this with a European card for people with disabilities, so that they can enjoy the same rights in every member state.

The European Disability Card should serve as proof of a recognised disability across the EU and ensure that people with disabilities can benefit from the same treatment in every member state, such as reduced entrance fees or assistance on public transport.

"Rights must not stop or change for the worse at national borders"

Europeans with disabilities currently face inequalities when travelling, EU Commissioner Věra Jourová said in Brussels on Wednesday. "In our Union of Equality, people with disabilities have their rights, but these rights must not stop or change for the worse at national borders."

The concept is based on a voluntary pilot programme that ran from 2016 to 2019 in eight member states, including Belgium.

Parking rights

The Commission also wants to improve the European parking card for people with disabilities. The proposal would replace national parking cards and guarantee parking rights throughout the EU. Both cards will be available both digitally and physically.

The Commission's proposal still has to be approved by the European Parliament and the Council. Member states will then have 18 months to transpose it into national law.

^{© BELGA PHOTO PHILIPPE FRANCOIS}