Travelling within the EU to become easier for persons with disabilities (Ministry of Social Affairs and Health)
The European Union has adopted a Directive establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities. The EU has also adopted a Directive extending the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card to third-country nationals legally residing in EU Member States. The purpose of these Directives is to make it easier for persons with disabilities to travel within the EU.
The Member States will have two and a half years to adapt their national legislation and systems to comply with the Directives. The Directives will become applicable three and a half years after their entry into force.
Directives ensure equal access to preferential treatment
The Directives concerning the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities will ensure equal access to special conditions or preferential treatment for persons with disabilities regarding certain services and activities when they are travelling to or visiting another Member State for a short stay.
Examples of special conditions or preferential treatment include reduced entrance fees or free entrance for those assisting persons with disabilities in cultural events and free parking in spaces specifically reserved for holders of a Parking Card for persons with disabilities.
The eligibility criteria for obtaining a Disability Card and Parking Card will be defined nationally. The preferential treatment to which the Disability Card and the Parking Card entitle their holder will also be specified nationally or at the operator level. Social security is excluded from the scope of application of the Disability Card.
Disability Card already in use in Finland
Finland has been one of the eight pilot countries in introducing the Disability Card and has supported the extension of the Card to all EU Member States. Provisions on the parking card for people with reduced mobility that is in use in Finland and on the issuance of the card are laid down in the Road Traffic Act.
The next step is to assess what changes must be made to the current system or what new legislation may be necessary to implement the Directive.
- Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities
- European disability card and European parking card for persons with disabilities: Council adopts new directives (Council's press release 14.10.2024)
- EU Disability Card
- Applying for a parking card for people with reduced mobility and tax exemption (Traficom)
