Holidays are for everyone. But if you use a wheelchair, have impaired sight or hearing or are not steady on your feet, you need more preparation. Many destinations have done a lot in recent years. Airports offer an escort, hotels are fitting level-access showers, and on more and more beaches wooden walkways lead down to the water. With the right questions you will find a holiday that really works.
At the airport and on the plane
In the EU you are entitled to free assistance at the airport: from the entrance through security to your seat on the plane, and out again at your destination. Tell the airline at least 48 hours before departure, ideally when you book.
Wheelchairs and other mobility aids fly free of charge. You can usually use them up to the aircraft door. For electric wheelchairs, airlines ask in advance about the type and size of the battery. A seat near the door or on the aisle makes getting on and off easier.
The right hotel
“Accessible” does not mean the same everywhere. So ask specific questions:
| Question | What to look for |
|---|---|
| How wide are the doors? | Usually at least 80 to 90 cm for wheelchairs |
| Does the bathroom have a level-access shower? | No step, with a shower seat and grab rails |
| How high is the bed? | Good for transferring from a wheelchair |
| Is there a lift? | Also to the restaurant, pool and beach |
| Is the way to the beach step-free? | Ramps, no steep paths |
| Can you borrow aids? | Shower chair, beach wheelchair, pool hoist |
Ask for photos of the room and bathroom, and get important points confirmed in writing. Many travellers prefer smaller hotels where staff respond flexibly to requests.
Beaches without barriers
In Spain and Portugal, many beaches are equipped for accessibility. Wooden walkways lead to the water, there are beach wheelchairs with wide tyres and adapted toilets, and often helpers who assist with bathing. The choice is particularly large in the Canary Islands, the Algarve and on Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Local tourist offices can tell you which beaches are equipped.
Getting around locally
For excursions, hire cars with hand controls or wheelchair-accessible vehicles are possible, but only in limited numbers. Reserve them early. Many towns in the south have steep lanes and cobblestones that are hard to get along. Flat coastal resorts with long promenades are often the better choice.
Tips for planning
- Book early: accessible rooms are limited.
- Get it in writing: whatever the hotel promises.
- Medicines and aids: enough for the whole trip in your hand luggage.
- Doctor’s letter: in English, in case devices or medicines need explaining.
- Check your insurance: whether aids and repatriation are covered.
flug-123.de editorial team, updated 10 November 2026. We review our guides regularly. Rules can change. If in doubt, the details in your booking apply.
