Government backs EU disability cards for Lithuanian residents

Lithuania’s government has backed draft legislation allowing residents with disabilities to obtain European disability cards and European disability parking cards, LRT reported on Wednesday. The amendments still need approval from parliament.

The cards would allow Lithuanian holders travelling to other EU member states to access the special conditions and benefits available there, including discounts and exemptions from fees such as parking charges. Holders of cards issued by other EU countries would receive the same treatment in Lithuania.

The rules would cover EU citizens and their family members, as well as third-country nationals legally resident in an EU member state and their accompanying persons, when travelling to another member state for up to three months.

Social Security and Labour Minister Inga Ruginienė said the proposals aim to give people with disabilities equal rights across the EU and make it easier for them to travel and use available benefits.

The ministry said differing national systems for recognising disabilities and granting benefits have made it difficult in practice for transport operators and inspectors in Lithuania to apply concessions to visitors. Lithuanian public transport discounts are tied to the severity of a person’s disability, while documents issued by other EU countries do not provide that information. The European disability card is intended to make the system clearer for cardholders, operators and inspectors.

The amendments would also allow cardholders to use other benefits offered by national and municipal authorities, institutions and companies. Provisions implementing the EU directive are expected to take effect in June 2028, while new criteria for eligibility for a disability parking card are due to take effect in 2027.