European Disability Card and European Parking Card: what changes and when (2026)
According to the European Commission, page updated on 21 October 2026 and checked on 4 November 2026, EU countries have to adopt the national laws for the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card by 5 June 2027 and issue the cards from 5 June 2028.
The European Commission’s page does not mention the United Kingdom or the UK Blue Badge. For where the UK Blue Badge is recognised today, see the GOV.UK table.
This is information, not legal advice. Parking rules for disabled people differ from town to town and change. We quote GOV.UK, the European Commission and national governments word for word, with the date we checked them. Always check the local signs and rules before you park, and ask the local authority when the official answer is unclear.
Key dates
| When | What |
|---|---|
| October 2024 | Directive (EU) 2024/2841 adopted |
| July 2026 | QR codes for the physical cards (delegated regulation) |
| 5 June 2027 | EU countries adopt and publish their national laws |
| 5 June 2028 | EU countries apply the rules and issue the cards |
| 5 June 2029 | Assessment of remaining gaps in free movement |
| 5 December 2029 | The European Parking Card replaces national parking cards |
What the European Commission says
By 5 June 2027, Member States have to adopt and publish the national laws and rules needed to implement Directives 2024/2841 and 2024/2842, and inform the Commission of those measures. Member States have to apply those measures from 5 June 2028. From that date, Member States have to issue the cards to eligible persons with disabilities.
assessment of remaining gaps related to the free movement of persons with disabilities (by 5 June 2029)
By 5 December 2029, the European Parking Card will replace national parking cards for persons with disabilities.
Source: European Commission: European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities (European Commission), page updated on 21 October 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
What the cards are
To facilitate free movement of persons with disabilities around the EU, the Directive (EU) 2024/2841, adopted in October 2024, established a new European Disability Card and an improved European Parking Card for persons with disabilities.
When travelling across the EU, cardholders will be able to benefit from such special conditions or preferential treatment on equal terms and conditions as residents with disabilities in the Member State they visit.
The cards are meant for short stays of up to 3 months, with an exception for card holders that participate in an EU mobility programme in another Member State.
The special conditions can apply when using transport, attending cultural events and visiting museums, leisure and sports centres, amusement parks, and more.
Source: European Commission: European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities (European Commission), page updated on 21 October 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
Who can get them
The European Disability Card will benefit EU citizens and their family members with recognised disability status or entitlement to specific services based on a disability by the competent authorities or bodies in their Member State of residence.
The European Parking Card will benefit EU citizens and their family members with recognised rights to parking conditions and facilities reserved for persons with disabilities by the competent authorities or bodies in their Member State of residence.
The Directive 2024/2842 extends the personal scope to third-country nationals legally residing in a Member State.
The Directive does not affect Member States’ competence to determine the conditions for assessing and recognising disability status or the entitlement to specific services based on a disability, or for granting the right to parking conditions and facilities reserved for persons with disabilities.
Source: European Commission: European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities (European Commission), page updated on 21 October 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
The European Parking Card
The improved European Parking Card will serve as proof of right to parking conditions and facilities reserved for persons with disabilities in all EU countries. It will also contain security features to prevent and combat fraud.
Source: European Commission: European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities (European Commission), page updated on 21 October 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
This new parking card will guarantee the use of parking spaces and facilities reserved for persons with disabilities in all EU countries and will replace national parking cards.
If you have a disability that leads to reduced mobility, you might be entitled to an EU disability parking card in your country of residence, which should be recognised in all EU countries.
Source: Your Europe: EU parking card for people with disabilities (Your Europe (European Commission)), page updated on 16 September 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
Where the EU Disability Card already exists
This initiative is built on the experience of the ongoing EU Disability Card pilot project launched in February 2016 in eight EU countries and the EU parking card for persons with disabilities based on Council Recommendation 98/376/EC.
You can access to the national EU Disability Card websites of: Belgium Cyprus Finland Italy Malta Romania Slovenia In addition, Croatia has implemented an EU-funded project to already support the introduction of both cards.
Source: European Commission: European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities (European Commission), page updated on 21 October 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
What comes next
In July 2026, the Commission adopted a delegated regulation (C/2026/4534) setting out the QR codes to be used on the physical versions of the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card, to ensure the security and interoperability of both cards.
The cards remain a flagship initiative, with the aim of making them available in people’s digital wallets.
Source: European Commission: European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities (European Commission), page updated on 21 October 2026, checked on 4 November 2026. Quoted word for word.
EUR-Lex, where the directive is published, does not answer our automated checks, so we quote the European Commission’s own summary of the rules.
Blue Badge abroad: where your UK Blue Badge is recognised, country by country · Driving abroad
Questions
What is the European Disability Card?
The European Commission says: “To facilitate free movement of persons with disabilities around the EU, the Directive (EU) 2024/2841, adopted in October 2024, established a new European Disability Card and an improved European Parking Card for persons with disabilities.” “When travelling across the EU, cardholders will be able to benefit from such special conditions or preferential treatment on equal terms and conditions as residents with disabilities in the Member State they visit.”
When will the European Parking Card be available?
The European Commission says: “By 5 June 2027, Member States have to adopt and publish the national laws and rules needed to implement Directives 2024/2841 and 2024/2842, and inform the Commission of those measures. Member States have to apply those measures from 5 June 2028. From that date, Member States have to issue the cards to eligible persons with disabilities.”
Can UK citizens get a European Disability Card?
The European Commission’s page does not mention the UK. It says that the card is for people recognised in their EU country of residence: “The European Disability Card will benefit EU citizens and their family members with recognised disability status or entitlement to specific services based on a disability by the competent authorities or bodies in their Member State of residence.” “The Directive 2024/2842 extends the personal scope to third-country nationals legally residing in a Member State.” The page says nothing about people who live in the UK.
What are the benefits of the European Disability Card?
The European Commission says: “The special conditions can apply when using transport, attending cultural events and visiting museums, leisure and sports centres, amusement parks, and more.” “When travelling across the EU, cardholders will be able to benefit from such special conditions or preferential treatment on equal terms and conditions as residents with disabilities in the Member State they visit.”
Is there a European disability card for tourists?
The card is issued in your EU country of residence and used when you visit another EU country. The European Commission says: “The cards are meant for short stays of up to 3 months, with an exception for card holders that participate in an EU mobility programme in another Member State.”
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