Disability System in European Society
An Investigation of Disability System in European Union Countries

Abstract

The paper discusses tax and benefit instruments for people with disabilities and their carers for European countries from two opposing groups. Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries spend a relatively small part of their GDP on disability, and tax and benefit instruments play a significant role there. Scandinavian countries spend more on disability, but taxes and benefits are more diminutive. On the face of it, CEE and Scandinavian countries have similarities since their main structures share many parallelisms. A more detailed analysis shows fundamental differences in the particular solutions. For example, CEE countries make more use of means-testing and contributory benefits. CEE countries still follow the medical approach to disability, while Scandinavia applies the social system. We point to the lower level of economic development as an essential barrier that hinders the introduction of regulatory changes in CEE consistent with The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability.

Keywords: disability, The European Union, CEE, Scandinavia