Disability: Government gives initial approval to the European Disability Card and parking permit – here’s how to apply for them

This is a very first step towards the European Disability Card and the European parking badge for people with disabilities. On Wednesday 5 August, the Council of Ministers approved, at a preliminary reading, a legislative decree transposing Directive (EU) 2024/2841 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2024, which establishes the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for people with disabilities. The aim of the measure is to ensure that people with disabilities can exercise their right to free movement within the European Union, by promoting the mutual recognition of disability status and facilitating access to goods, places and services during short-term stays in other Member States.

Preliminary approval by the Council of Ministers constitutes the first formal green light for a draft legislative measure — usually a legislative decree (issued under delegated powers from Parliament) or a government regulation. This stage indicates that the Government has finalised the draft text, but the measure is not yet in force or finalised. Further institutional stages of consultation and scrutiny are required before it comes into force.

The European Disability Card will be issued free of charge by INPS and will be available in both physical and digital formats, with standardised features across the European Union. Its validity is linked to the duration of the disability and may not, in any case, exceed ten years. The eligibility criteria have been redefined in accordance with Legislative Decree 62/2024; in particular, the Card marked with the letter ‘A’, which entitles the holder to the assistance of a carer, is issued to all those in possession of the certification referred to in Article 3, paragraph 3, of Law No. 104 of 5 February 1992.

The Card may also be applied for via the “IO” app, and plans are in place to develop a portal and digital infrastructure to enable users to view the benefits via a mobile device and to use the Card remotely, including for integration with e-commerce systems. As a result of the directive, the Card is recognised in all Member States of the European Union, and no longer only in those that had joined the ‘EU Disability Card’ pilot project. The Card will enable holders to access, on an equal footing, the benefits and preferential treatment provided for services, transport, activities and public and private facilities.

As for the European parking card, this will be recognised in all Member States and will grant access to the parking and traffic conditions reserved for people with disabilities. It will be issued by local authorities, in both physical and digital formats, following simplified procedures. Its validity has been extended from five to ten years and, for holders of indefinite-term certification, automatic renewal upon expiry is provided for. Applications may be submitted via a new dedicated platform, and the permit will be issued free of charge; the physical permit, printed by the State Printing Works and Mint and sent to the applicant’s home address, will take the form of a security document, offering greater protection against counterfeiting.