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The Service allows individuals to obtain a card for access to services and benefits for disabled persons. It is a useful tool granting rights and dedicated services. It remains valid for the duration of the condition of disability.
Specific for
Individuals with medium or high disability and who are not self-sufficient, falling within the categories identified in Annex 3 of the decree of the President of the Council of Ministers no. 159 of 5 December 2013.

Publication: 1 June 2022 Latest update: 16 August 2024

What is it?

The European Disability Card, or Disability Card, is a card that serves to provide proof of a person’s disability and allows for access to services that are free of charge or at a reduced cost, regarding:

  • transport;
  • culture;
  • leisure;
  • benefits useful for the promotion of one’s rights throughout the national territory and in other countries of the European Union.

The aim is to contribute to the full social inclusion of persons with disabilities within the community.

The Disability Card is among the measures adopted on a voluntary basis by the Member States of the European Union for the achievement of strategic objectives 2010-2020 concerning disability.

Who is it aimed at?

The European Disability Card is issued to all individuals with medium or high disability and those who are not self-sufficient, falling within the categories identified in Annex 3 of the decree of the President of the Council of Ministers no. 159 of 5 December 2013.

The following individuals may submit a claim:

  • civilian invalids who are adults with a certified civilian invalidity of  67% or more;
  • civilian invalids who are minors;
  • citizens with attendance allowances;
  • citizens with certification pursuant to Article 3, paragraph 3, Law no. 104 of 5 February 1992;
  • civilian blind persons;
  • civilian deaf persons;
  • impaired persons and incapacitated persons (Law No. 222 of 12 June 1984);
  • impaired persons at work with certified disability greater than 35%;
  • impaired persons at work who are entitled to the allowance for personal and continuous assistance, or whose mental or physical integrity is impaired;
  • persons incapable of work (Law no. 379 of 11 April 1955, Presidential Decree No. 1092 of 29 December 1973 and Presidential Decree no. 171 of 27 July 2011) and incapacitated persons (Article 13, Law no. 274 of 8 August 1991 and Article 2, Law no. 335 of 8 August 1995);
  • citizens who are holders of ordinary privilege pensions and privilege pensions for war veterans.

INPS verifies that individuals possess the necessary requirements based on the data available in its archives.

How does it work?

The Card is produced by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (State Printing Office and Mint) and is sent out by Poste Italiane directly to the claimant's address of residence or to another address indicated by them.

Holders can access the benefits provided by presenting the European Disability Card, without further formalities or requests from state administrations or public and private entities, which have signed specific agreements.

The benefits are activated through memoranda of understanding or agreements between the Department for policies supporting persons with disabilities of the Office of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and public or private service providers.

The presentation of the Card exempts the citizen from requiring other certifications attesting to their disability status.

It can only be used by the card holder and cannot be transferred to third parties.

The following details are shown on the Card:

  • photograph of the card holder;
  • name, surname and date of birth;
  • number and expiry date of the document;
  • QR-Code that makes the Card dynamic, allowing the updated health status of the individual to be displayed.

The Card remains valid for the foreseen duration of the condition of disability and in any case for no more than ten years from the time of issue.

The provider of the benefit or service, by means of a QR-Code reader and the tax identification code provided by the interested party, will access the online verification service provided by INPS, even via smartphone and tablet, to verify the necessary information regarding disability status.

Active agreements are published on the institutional website of the Minister for Disabilities.

Claim

The European Disability Card is issued by INPS at the request of the individual concerned.

The claim can be submitted through the online service or through one of the following category associations:

  • ANMIC;
  • UICI;
  • ENS;
  • ANFFAS.

When submitting the claim:

  • the claimant must attach a passport photo, according to the specifications and parameters mentioned in the claim form;
  • if the condition of disability has been attested by paper reports prior to 2010 or by reports issued by Autonomous Regions/Provinces (Valle d'Aosta, Trento and Bolzano), they must be attached to the application, alongside a declaration of responsibility for conformity with the original;

if the disability status is acknowledged by sentences or decrees of approval, following a legal dispute, the interested party must indicate in the claim the relevant Court and the date of issue of the order.