Digital versions and common technical specifications
1. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts to set the accessible digital versions of the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities, with the data fields set out in Annexes I and II respectively, and to ensure interoperability.
2. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts establishing common technical specifications regarding the storage medium of the digital version of the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities for matters such as verifying the validity of the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities and their serial or file number, for controlling their authenticity, for preventing forgery and fraud, for the reading of those cards between Member States, and for their use in a digital identity wallet at Union level.
3. The implementing acts referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 15(2).
4. Before adopting the implementing acts pursuant to paragraph 1 or 2, the Commission shall consult persons with disabilities and their representative organisations as well as experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making ( 23 ) .
Surveillance and compliance
1. Member States, with the support of the Commission, shall take the necessary steps to prevent the risk of forgery and fraud and shall actively combat the fraudulent issuance, fraudulent use and forgery of the European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities.
2. In the event that a Member State encounters serious or systematic cases of abuse on its territory of the European Disability Card or European Parking Card for persons with disabilities issued by another Member State, that Member State shall inform thereof the issuing Member State. The issuing Member State shall ensure appropriate follow-up in accordance with national law or practice. Member States shall exchange information with regard to abuse of those cards.
3. Member States shall carry out checks, as appropriate, on compliance with the obligations deriving from the European Disability Card or European Parking Card for persons with disabilities and with the corresponding rights of persons with disabilities holding those cards, including in respect of assistance animals and of persons accompanying or assisting persons with disabilities, including their personal assistants.
Accessibility of information and awareness raising
1. Member States shall make the conditions, rules, practice and procedures for issuing, renewing and withdrawing a European Disability Card and a European Parking Card for persons with disabilities publicly available in accessible formats, including in digital and easy-to-read formats, and upon request in the assistive formats requested by persons with disabilities.
2. Member States shall take appropriate measures to raise awareness among the public and inform persons with disabilities and their representative organisations, including in accessible ways, about the existence and conditions for obtaining, using or renewing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities. The Commission shall undertake a Union awareness-raising campaign in cooperation with the Member States and shall continuously promote awareness raising and dissemination of information on the implementation of this Directive.
3. Member States shall take measures to raise awareness among public authorities and private operators about the existence and the use of the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities and encourage such authorities and operators to voluntarily offer special conditions or preferential treatment, and parking conditions and facilities to persons with disabilities in as wide a range of services, other activities and facilities as possible.
4. The information referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall be made available free of charge in a clear, comprehensive, user-friendly and easily accessible manner, in accordance with the relevant accessibility requirements for services as set out in Annex I to Directive (EU) 2019/882, including through the official websites of public authorities, or by other suitable means.
Competent authorities or bodies, and contact points
1. Member States shall designate one or more competent authorities or bodies responsible for the issuance, renewal and withdrawal of the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities.
2. Member States shall designate one or more national contact points in order to facilitate the dialogue between the Member States and the Commission on the proper transposition and implementation of this Directive. By 5 June 2025, Member States shall inform the Commission of their national contact points.
Representative organisations of persons with disabilities
Member States shall ensure the active consultation and involvement of representative organisations of persons with disabilities in the development, implementation and evaluation of the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities.
Source: EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU), © European Union, reuse permitted under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.
