The European Commission has proposed the creation of a European Disability Card as well as the reinforcement of the existing European Parking Card for persons with disabilities. Both cards will be recognised throughout the European Union (EU) and will facilitate intra-EU travel for people with disabilities.

When the disability status is not recognised abroad, it is not possible to access special conditions and preferential treatment, such as free and/or priority access, reduced rates or personal assistance, during visits to other Member States. To address this issue, the Commission has proposed the creation of a standardised European Disability Card that will serve as recognised proof of disability across the EU. The card guarantees equal access to special conditions and preferential treatment in public and private services such as transport, cultural events, museums, leisure and sports centres or amusement parks. The card will be issued by the competent national authorities and will complement existing national cards or certificates. The Commission proposal introducing the European Disability Card also includes the improvement of the existing European Parking Card for persons with disabilities. It will have a binding EU-wide format and replace national parking cards for persons with disabilities. Both cards will facilitate the right of persons with disabilities to free movement by ensuring special conditions and parking rights when visiting another Member State. The proposal for a Directive establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card, which will now be discussed by the European Parliament and the Council, was announced in the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030. It contributes to the EU’s implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which the EU and all its Member States are parties (UNCRPD). The proposal is also aligned with the principles of equal opportunities and inclusion of persons with disabilities of the European Pillar of Social Rights. In Portugal, PESSOAS 2030 will make its contribution in the area of social inclusion of People with Disabilities and Disabilities (PCDI), through investment in areas such as the Model of Support for Independent Living (MAVI), a pilot project aimed at creating conditions so that PCDI can have a life with autonomy, contributing to their self-determination. It will also invest in qualification and more and better jobs for PCDI, as well as in the qualification and specialization of technical and methodological intervention aimed at this group, among other support.