The upcoming EU-wide European Parking Card (EPC) will not feature photographs of cardholders, Commissioner Hadja Lahbib has confirmed, citing privacy safeguards as the driving rationale. In a response to a parliamentary question from MEP Regina Doherty (EPP, Ireland), the Commission explained that the card's specifications are legally mandated by Directive (EU) 2024/2841, which prioritizes data protection. Instead of photos, interoperable QR codes will be embedded in physical cards to enable cross-border enforcement, with optional digital versions where member states choose to adopt them.
This announcement follows Commissioner Lahbib's broader advocacy for accessibility and inclusion, notably her March 20, 2026 speech at the Youth Policy Dialogue on Disability Rights in Brussels, where she highlighted the European Disability Card and European Parking Card as key tools to synchronize rights across EU borders by 2028. The removal of photos from the parking card marks a specific policy shift within that framework, balancing privacy against enforcement needs.
The Commission's response addresses concerns raised by Doherty that the absence of photos would hamper policing and proper use of disabled parking spaces, particularly in countries like Ireland that lack mandatory ID systems. Lahbib's office emphasized that QR codes will replace visual identification, requiring enforcement agencies to adapt from photo verification to digital scanning methods. This may necessitate investment in new technologies, potentially borne by EU taxpayers through digital infrastructure upgrades.
The policy orientation strengthens privacy protections for disabled persons but introduces operational complexities. Disabled individuals gain enhanced privacy but face potential enforcement challenges under current physical permit checks. National authorities must harmonize formats while managing local enforcement realities. The Commission signals ongoing action through a forthcoming delegated act detailing QR code technical standards and interoperability, which will shape how effectively the shift from photos to digital enforcement occurs.
This development comes amid broader debates on disability policy effectiveness. On April 14, 2026, Belgium's Back-to-Work Voucher scheme—a separate initiative for long-term sick people—was criticized as a failure by Vlaams Belang, with only 188 vouchers used out of 924 requested. While unrelated to the parking card, the criticism underscores ongoing scrutiny of disability-related policies across EU member states. Commissioner Lahbib's March speech also noted progress on the European Accessibility Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, framing the parking card as part of a larger push for inclusion. The removal of photos, however, highlights a tension between privacy and enforcement that will require careful implementation to ensure the card's effectiveness.
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