Frequently Asked Questions

Ordering the EU Disability Card involves two main steps. First, you must submit the authorization form and required attachments to Kela. After that, you complete the Disability Card application online.

Remember to send Kela a copy of the decision that entitles you to apply for the card.

More detailed instructions can be found here: How to Apply for the Disability Card

You can submit the application via OmaKela.

Log in to OmaKela using your online banking credentials or mobile ID.

Send the form as an attachment.

Select: Send Attachment → Other Kela Matters → Disability Benefits and EU Disability Card Attachment. Attach the form and click send. You can also send the form as a scanned document or a photo.

Alternatively, you can mail the application to Kela at:

Kela, PL 10, 00056 KELA, Finland.

The EU Disability Card costs €10.
The price includes the production of the plastic card, Braille printing, personalization according to the customer’s preferences, and delivery to the address provided by the customer.

The EU Disability Card is valid for 10 years. After that, you can apply for a new card.

Note: You may also apply for a replacement card earlier if needed—for example, if the card gets damaged or lost.
A new card must be applied for in the same way as the original card.

No, it does not have to be an official passport photo.
However, the photo must be:

-A clear, recent headshot

-In color, with good lighting

-Showing your face from the front, without headwear (unless worn for religious or medical reasons)

-In JPEG or JPG format

So while an official passport photo is acceptable, a well-taken, high-quality personal photo is also fine.

You can request a separate invoice for the card order from the Disability Card Office.
You can complete the order process up to the payment stage and then inform them—by email or phone—that you need an invoice for the order.

Email: info@vammaiskortti.fi

On the back of the card, you can choose to add a QR code and symbols to help communicate your support needs more clearly.

The QR code contains a link to your personal webpage, where you can share additional information about your situation or assistance requirements. Learn more about the QR code here: What is a QR code?

The symbols visually represent different types of support you may need, making it easier for customer service staff to assist you.

Read more about the symbols here: Symbols that support customer service.

If the client’s legal capacity is not restricted, the client may apply for the EU Disability Card and sign the application themselves. Kela will notify the legal guardian of the application.

The legal guardian may also apply for the card on behalf of the client. In this case, the guardian signs Section 7: Signature of the VK1 form.

Section 5: Authorization does not need to be completed in these situations.

The client may also authorize a third party to apply for the card on their behalf. In this case:

-Section 5: Authorization must be filled out

-The client must sign Section 7: Signature

Kela will notify the legal guardian of the application.

If the client’s legal capacity is restricted, the client cannot apply for the card themselves and cannot authorize a third party to apply on their behalf.

Only the legal guardian can apply in such cases and must sign Section 7: Signature on the VK1 form.

The guardian signs the application when applying for the card for a child.

A guardian can handle all Kela matters on behalf of a child under the age of 15 by phone, at a service point, or by mail.
If the guardian submits the application on the child’s behalf, it must be sent by post or delivered to a Kela service point.

More information about acting on someone else’s behalf is available on Kela’s website: https://www.kela.fi/on-behalf-of-someone

Basic Education: The special support decision will be discontinued in August 2025. The eligibility criteria for the EU Disability Card are currently being revised, and we will inform applicants how the new forms of support will be taken into account.

Transition Period: Special support decisions made before the reform remain valid during the transition period and will be accepted in Disability Card applications.

Early Childhood Education: When applying for the Disability Card with a special support decision from early childhood education, only an official, documented decision qualifies. Enhanced support alone is not sufficient for the A-symbol. The decision must be formal and in written administrative form, such as a decision made under the Early Childhood Education Act.

General Upper Secondary Education (High School): Learning support and special education in high school will be reformed as of August 1, 2025. A written administrative decision will be required for special education. The effect of the new legislation on the A-symbol criteria will be assessed separately.

Vocational Education: The reform of learning support in vocational education will take effect on August 1, 2026. It will strengthen the right to special support, but any changes to the Disability Card criteria will be clarified later.

The eligibility criteria for the Disability Card will be updated gradually to reflect the new legislation. We will inform you when the changes take effect.

If you have any questions about your situation, please feel free to contact our customer service.

The EU Disability Card can be used in many situations to help communicate disability status and possible support needs. For example:

-Public transportation – to prove the right to discounted fares or bring an assistant

-Cultural and sports events – for discounts, accessibility services, or free entry for assistants

-Museums, theaters, and amusement parks – to indicate the need for accommodations

-Customer service situations – to discreetly show you may need extra time or support

-Across EU countries – the card is recognized in other participating EU member states

The exact benefits and usage may vary depending on the service provider, so it’s always good to ask in advance.

Official locations that have registered as Disability Card Partner Sites can be found on the website under the section titled “EU Disability Card Locations.“

We strive to raise awareness of the EU Disability Card by all possible means.

However, to ensure nationwide recognition, we need the support of disability organizations and local actors, such as service providers.

We warmly welcome collaboration proposals—please contact us at: info@vammaiskortti.fi.

The development of the Disability Card is the responsibility of the Disability Card Office, in cooperation with its steering group.

The office works closely with disability organizations, service providers, and regional actors.

The steering group includes members from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the Ministry of Social Affairs (STM) and Health, Kela, and the Board of the Finnish Disability Forum.

You should contact the Disability Card Office.

We can check whether your card has been returned to us and, if so, send it to you by mail.
If the card is not found, you will need to order a new one.

The application process is the same as when you applied for the card the first time.

Instructions can be found here: How to apply for the card?

If you need a new Disability Card before your current one expires, you can apply for it from Kela in the same way as you did the first time. You may need a new card, for example, if:

-Your name has changed

-Your appearance has changed so that you’re no longer recognizable from the card photo

-You have received a new decision entitling you to the A-symbol

The application process is the same as for the original card. Instructions can be found here: How to apply for the card?

You can return the card free of charge by sending it to:

Disability Card Office
Tukena Foundation sr
Contract: 5009474
00003 Vastauslähetys
Finland

No postage stamp is needed.

We will deliver the card to its owner after they have contacted us.

Note: You may only send a found card to this address. Applications must be sent directly to Kela.

Instructions for applying: https://www.kela.fi/disability-card#how-to-apply-for-an-eu-disability-card