On 23 July 2026, the Council of the European Union launched a written procedure to adopt a Commission delegated regulation that supplements Directive (EU) 2024/2841 on the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities. The delegated regulation extends the deadline for the Council and the European Parliament to object to the Commission's rules, giving them additional time to scrutinize the implementing measures before they enter into force.
The written procedure, initiated by the Council, formally adopts the delegated regulation without amendment. The regulation sets out detailed provisions for the design, technical specifications, and security features of the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card, as well as rules for their issuance, renewal, and withdrawal. The extension of the objection deadline allows co-legislators more time to review these technical rules, which are critical for ensuring the cards' interoperability and recognition across all EU member states.
This adoption follows the entry into force of Directive 2024/2841 in 2024, which established the legal framework for the two cards. The directive aims to facilitate the free movement of persons with disabilities by ensuring that they can access the same benefits and services in other member states as they do at home. The delegated regulation now specifies the operational details, such as the card's format, the data to be included, and the procedures for member states to issue and manage the cards.
The extension of the objection deadline is a procedural step that does not alter the substance of the regulation. It gives the European Parliament and the Council until a later date to raise any objections, after which the regulation will be published in the Official Journal and become binding. The move is expected to have a moderate impact on stakeholders: persons with disabilities will benefit from a harmonized card system that reduces administrative barriers when traveling or moving within the EU; national authorities will need to adapt their issuance systems to comply with the new technical standards; and businesses, particularly in transport, tourism, and hospitality, will have to recognize the card as valid proof of disability status across borders. The regulation does not impose new costs on individuals but may require member states to invest in updating their card production and verification infrastructure. The European Commission will monitor implementation and may propose further adjustments based on member state feedback.