On Thursday, the European Parliament and 27 member states reached agreement on a directive on the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for people with disabilities, which will promote their recognition in all countries.
The directive was proposed by the European Commission (EC) in September 2023, and next steps include formal agreement between the European Parliament and the Council in the coming months, after which the directive will come into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU. European Union.
“Within 30 months of entry into force, member states will have to incorporate the provisions of the directive into national law. In a year, the legislation will come into force, after which people with disabilities will be able to apply for cards.” , says the European Commission, which welcomes this political agreement.
On its official page, the European Commission explains that these two cards “guarantee easier recognition of disability status and equal access to special conditions and preferential treatment throughout the EU during short-term stays in other EU countries.”
“These cards will facilitate the mobility of people with disabilities. Regardless of whether you are a card holder in Spain traveling to Poland or a resident of Poland, the card will guarantee access under the same conditions,” the EC emphasizes.
On the other hand, recognition of the European Disability Card will serve as proof of disability throughout the EU, meaning that during short-term stays in other EU countries, people with disabilities will be guaranteed equal access to special conditions and preferential treatment. in relation to public and private services, activities and facilities.
“This card complements existing national cards or certificates and recognizes the role of each Member State in assessing the status of a person with a disability,” says the EC.
As for the parking card, its holders will have the same rights throughout the European Union, guaranteeing “equal access to allocated reserved parking spaces and other parking conditions and facilities.”
“It replaces the EU Disabled Parking Card, which was created on a voluntary basis on the advice of the Council. To address issues of inconsistent recognition across the EU, the Enhanced European Parking Card uses a common linking template. It also includes security features to prevent counterfeiting and fraud,” explains the EC.
The Directive will also require Member States to issue and renew the European Disability Card free of charge, both in physical format (with digital characteristics) and in digital format, the same happens with the European Parking Card, in which case it is stipulated that there may be ” payment of a small fee to cover administrative costs.”
The 27 countries will have to guarantee publicly available information on the conditions and procedures for obtaining the cards, as well as general information on the conditions and preferences offered to people with disabilities, while each member state will have to create dedicated Internet pages for IT. made.
In addition, all countries must enforce and enforce laws and establish mechanisms for legal action and fines or other corrective measures in the event of violations.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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