European disability card: CERMI calls for faster approval in Spain

The Spanish Committee of Representatives of Persons with Disabilities (CERMI) has called on Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda in Madrid to speed up approval of rules for the European disability card and the European parking card for people with reduced mobility. The appeal was made on 23 August 2026.

CERMI said the proposed Royal Decree had spent many months in the legislative process, with no imminent date in sight for its publication or entry into force. The Spanish rules stem from a European directive adopted in 2024.

Delays threaten Spain’s early implementation goal

Spain had aimed to become the first country to incorporate the European rules into national law, following calls from the disability sector. CERMI said the Ministry’s accumulated delays cast doubt on whether that objective could be achieved.

The organisation also requested a genuine effort to reach agreement with disability groups on the Royal Decree’s key provisions. It said draft versions contained unacceptable measures that either weakened the directive’s requirements or left people worse off than under existing Spanish rules.

Scope of card and parking charges

CERMI said the pending Royal Decree should provide a detailed, non-exhaustive list of the areas in which the European disability card would apply. It also called for the card to cover every legally recognised disability status, including equivalent statuses under social security law and legislation on personal autonomy and dependency.

For holders of the European parking card, CERMI demanded free parking as the default in regulated ORA zones across Spanish municipalities where local councils have not already granted the exemption directly.

Topics: Social affairs · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com