Live

An estimated 101 million people over the age of 16 in the European Union have officially been granted disability status — nearly one in four adult EU citizens. For many, this means facing persistent barriers to exercising basic rights, from access to education and employment, to healthcare and participation in cultural life.

The numbers speak for themselves. Nearly half of all people with disabilities report experiencing discrimination. One in five young adults aged 20 to 26 is unemployed. Almost one in three lives at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Meanwhile, disabled students drop out of school at twice the rate of their non-disabled peers.

To address these inequalities, the European Commission launched the Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030, laying out a roadmap for a more inclusive Europe. A central part of this strategy is the introduction of two EU-wide documents: the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for Persons with Disabilities.

A Document That Opens Doors

Currently, all 27 Member States have their own systems for assessing disability and issuing corresponding identification. However, these national documents are rarely recognised across borders. The new European Disability Card is designed to change that. It will serve as a common, EU-wide proof of disability status — complementing, not replacing, existing national cards.

Available in both physical and digital formats, the card aims to facilitate cross-border travel and ensure equal access to benefits and services in other Member States — so that EU citizens with disabilities are treated like locals, no matter where they go.

Parking Card: One Format, Shared Rights

The second pillar of the initiative is the European Parking Card for Persons with Disabilities, which will replace existing national cards entirely. Introducing a uniform format across the EU is expected to eliminate current inconsistencies and confusion surrounding parking rights.

The new card will guarantee access to designated parking spaces, extended parking times, preferential rates, and entry to low-emission or restricted-traffic zones. In practical terms, this means more freedom and autonomy for people with disabilities — regardless of where they live or travel within the EU.

Concrete Benefits: Discounts, Access, and Support

Both cards are intended to bring tangible improvements to daily life. Cardholders can expect a range of benefits, including:

  • Free or discounted entry to cultural and sporting events
  • Priority access and shorter waiting times
  • Right to personal assistance
  • Permission to bring assistance dogs
  • Availability of audio and visual guides
  • Mobility support services
  • Extended or specially marked parking spaces
  • Easier access to restricted traffic zones

The cards will be issued by national authorities, which will also define the eligibility criteria. According to the European Commission, the cards are expected to be available by 2028. In the meantime, Member States are preparing the necessary legal and administrative frameworks to ensure a smooth rollout.

Strong Strategy, Broad Perspective

The concept of charters is just one of many elements of the EU’s equality strategy. The new decade of action aims to ensure that people with disabilities can participate fully in society – regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.

The strategy builds on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and includes people with both visible and invisible disabilities – from physical to sensory and intellectual. It also takes into account the risk of multiple discrimination faced, for example, by women, refugees, older people or children with disabilities.

Its objectives are clearly defined:

  • to guarantee equal opportunities and access to education, employment, health services and justice;
  • enabling people to decide where and how they want to live;
  • eliminating infrastructural and social barriers;
  • promoting self-reliance and de-institutionalisation;
  • strengthening the EU’s role as a global leader on the rights of people with disabilities.

Flagship Initiatives – From Vision to Action

The EU Disability Strategy sets out a series of flagship projects designed to bring about real, tangible change:

New EC Human Resources Strategy – Measures to foster diversity and inclusion of people with disabilities within EU institutions.

Towards a Barrier-Free Europe

The European Union is actively pursuing a barrier-free Europe, grounded in close collaboration between the European Commission and its Member States. This strategy necessitates Member States’ active participation in developing national action plans aligned with the UN Convention. Brussels sets the overall direction while expecting concrete actions from all involved nations.

Through new charters and numerous initiatives, the EU is progressing towards ensuring that all citizens, irrespective of the extent of their disability, can live without limitations. This dedication underscores the enduring importance of equality as a fundamental principle of the European project.

Written by

Shape the conversation

Do you have anything to add to this story? Any ideas for interviews or angles we should explore? Let us know if you’d like to write a follow-up, a counterpoint, or share a similar story.

Write a counterargument article Write a related article