The European Commission has proposed new technical rules to strengthen the security, interoperability and fraud protection of the upcoming European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities.
Operating under Directive (EU) 2024/2841, the measure mandates that all physical cards issued across member states incorporate a standardized QR code. This digital feature is designed to allow service providers, public authorities, and transit operators across the European Union to instantly verify a card’s authenticity and validity in cross-border scenarios while adhering strictly to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) mandates.
The QR codes will be protected through a qualified electronic seal, allowing authorities and service providers to confirm that a card is genuine and valid.
For the Parking Card, additional anti-fraud features such as secure card materials, anti-copying patterns and advanced security elements will be required.
To support cross-border recognition, Member States will share technical information on card issuers and maintain lists of revoked cards, allowing invalid cards to be identified throughout the EU.
The regulation also includes GDPR-compliant safeguards, ensuring that only the minimum personal data needed for verification is processed and that privacy is protected.
