European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities: extending to third country nationals legally residing in a Member State

PURPOSE: to extend the measures laid down in Directive (EU) 2024/2841 establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities to third-country nationals legally residing in a Member State.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Directive (EU) 2024/2842 of the European Parliament and of the Council extending Directive (EU) 2024/2841 to third-country nationals legally residing in a Member State.

CONTENT: in order to strengthen the exercise of the free movement rights of persons with disabilities and to enhance the possibilities for persons with disabilities to travel to or visit another Member State for a short stay, Directive (EU) 2024/2841 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishes the framework of common rules and conditions, including a common standardised and accessible format:

- for a European Disability Card as proof of a recognised disability status or of an entitlement to specific services based on a disability, for accessing, on equal terms and conditions, any special conditions or preferential treatment offered by public authorities or private operators in a variety of services, activities or facilities, including where not provided for remuneration, and;

- for a European Parking Card for persons with disabilities, as proof of their recognised right to parking conditions and facilities reserved for persons with disabilities in a Member State other than that in which they reside.

This directive extends the rules, rights and obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2024/2841 to persons with disabilities who are third-country nationals legally residing in a Member State and who are not beneficiaries of Directive (EU) 2024/2841, as well as to persons accompanying or assisting them including personal assistants, or to assistance animals.

Third-country nationals who are legally resident in an EU country will therefore also be able to use the European disability card and the European parking card for people with disabilities during short-term stays in other Member States.

Third-country nationals who are beneficiaries of temporary protection or beneficiaries of international protection should be covered by this Directive, provided that they are legally residing in a Member State and that their disability status or entitlement to specific services based on a disability has been recognised by that Member State.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 4.12.2024.

TRANSPOSITION: from 5.6.2027.

APPLICATION: from 5.6.2028.