During the European Parliament’s plenary session on 24th April, MEPs voted to approve the provisional agreement on the European Disability Card, which aims to enhance mobility for people with disabilities across the EU. This is a positive development for Europeans living with a rare disease, many of whom are affected by a related disability.
The new rules, adopted with 613 votes in favour, 7 against and 11 abstentions and already agreed on by the Parliament and the Council, will establish an EU-wide disability card to make sure that persons with disabilities have equal access to preferential conditions, such as reduced or zero entry fees, priority access, and access to reserved parking. As outlined in the adopted text, individuals participating in mobility programmes such as Erasmus+ and third-country nationals.
The European Disability Card will be issued in physical format and, when available, in digital format, and will be issued and renewed free of charge. Depending on the country, costs could be charged for loss and damage to the card.
Next steps
The agreed text will now have to be formally adopted by the Council, too, before publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and entry into force.
Read more here
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240419IPR20572/parliament-adopts-eu-wide-disability-and-parking-cards