The European Disability Card (EDC)

How it works

The European Disability Card is the document that allows people with disabilities to access public or private goods and services for free or at discounted rates.

The European Disability Card is part of the "EU Disability Card" European project, which aims to ensure the mutual recognition of disability status among participating countries.

Who can apply (only for Italian citizens)

• Adults with a certified civil disability of 67% or higher.

• Minors with a certified civil disability.

• Citizens receiving an attendance allowance (indennità di accompagnamento).

• Citizens with certification pursuant to Law 104/1992, Art. 3, paragraph 3.

• Citizens who are blind or deaf.

• Invalid and incapacitated persons pursuant to Law 222/1984.

• Individuals with a certified work-related disability of 35% or higher.

• Individuals with a work-related disability entitled to personal and continuous assistance allowances or with impairments to psychological/physical integrity.

• Individuals unfit for work duties (pursuant to Law 379/1955, Presidential Decree 73/92, and Presidential Decree 171/2011) and incapacitated persons (pursuant to Law 274/1991, art. 13 and Law 335/1995, art. 2).

• Citizens entitled to Ordinary and War Disability Pensions.

The Card is requested by the citizen via an online procedure and is subsequently mailed to their home address.

What it contains

The following personal data is present on the European Disability Card:

• A passport-sized photograph of the holder.

• Name, surname, and date of birth of the holder.

• The serial number and expiration date of the document.

• A specific indication if the holder requires a companion or extra support.

• A QR Code containing ONLY information regarding the existence of the disability status and the validity of the Card (letter "A").

• The text "EU Disability Card" in Braille.

How to apply

The physical version of the European Disability Card can be requested through the INPS website via an online procedure. Once the request is completed, the Card will be sent to the citizen's home. To apply, you will need:

• Electronic Identity Card (CIE), SPID, or a National Services Card (CNS) to access the reserved area of the website.

• A passport-sized photograph to be uploaded during the application process.

Further information on application methods and dates can be found on the dedicated INPS website.

Once the physical version of the Card is received, it will be possible to request the digital version on the IO App.

Digital version

The digital version of the European Disability Card is available, free of charge, in the "Wallet" (Portafoglio) section of the IO App.

Digital documents on the IO App, including the European Disability Card, have the same legal value as the physical documents you already possess. They can be used for in-person verification—for example, to certify disability status—or to access dedicated rates and promotions with affiliated entities.

To request the digital version of the European Disability Card, you must:

• Already possess the physical version of the Card.

• Hold a SPID or Electronic Identity Card (CIE).

• Have the IO App downloaded on your device.

The digital version of the European Disability Card displays the same information printed on the physical Card:

• A photograph of the holder.

• Name, surname, and date of birth of the holder.

• The serial number and expiration date of the document.

• A specific indication if the holder requires a companion or extra support.

• A QR Code containing information regarding the disability status and the validity of the Card (the digital card’s validity can be verified by scanning the QR Code, just like the physical version).

Additionally, the digital version includes a Certificate of Authenticity (QR Code) which allows for verification that the document is not counterfeit. This second QR Code is not present on the physical version of the card.

The digital version of the European Disability Card will NOT replace the physical version. Citizens can always choose whether to request and/or use one, the other, or both versions.

Where to use it

The European Disability Card, in both its physical version and the digital version on the IO App, can be used to certify one's disability status at public offices and other public or private entities that have joined the agreements.

To certify your disability status, simply present your European Disability Card and allow the authorized operator to scan the relative QR Code using a smartphone equipped with a camera and internet connection.

Below are the agreements currently active and those being finalized in Italy:

European Disability Card holders are also entitled to benefits at:

• Carrefour
• Trenitalia
• Andromeda Cinemas (Napoli, Roma, Brindisi)
• Gardaland

To find out about active agreements and offers from other EU countries participating in the pilot project, please consult their national institutional websites:

• Belgium
• Cyprus
• Estonia
• Finland
• Malta
• Romania
• Slovenia