Disability and travel abroad
Updated 19 June 2019
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disabled-travellers/disability-and-travel-abroad
1. Overview
For some people with disabilities, overseas travel can present challenges, as accessibility standards and facilities can be different to the UK. This Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guide is intended to provide useful information to help you plan for travel. It also includes emergency contact information and lets you know how to contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate if you need help when overseas.
2. Plan and research
When planning foreign travel, take into account your own circumstances, disabilities and needs.
Read the Travel Advice for the country or territory you are visiting and sign up for email alerts to get the latest updates.
Read the foreign travel checklist with advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to help you prepare for foreign travel and stay safe abroad.
Get comprehensive travel insurance.
Research the destination, the facilities available there, accessibility and transport options.
Consult widely including guidebooks, disability organisations in the UK, specialist tour operators and tourist boards.
When contacting travel providers, airlines and hotels, clearly state your needs and any assistance you will require.
You might find it helpful to use a standard form: ABTA - The Travel Association provides information and a checklist for disabled and less mobile Passengers.
Confirm enquiries, bookings and reservations in writing. Double-check all arrangements before departure.
If relevant, confirm your preferred means of communication with the travel organiser, for example information in large print or Braille.
3. Health and medication
If you are travelling in the European Economic Area or Switzerland, check for the latest information on the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) online or by phone on 0300 330 1350.
Most people with disabilities do not need to get medical clearance before travelling. However, some airlines may ask for evidence of fitness to travel.
It may be useful to carry a ‘travelling letter’, which gives a brief description of your disability or impairment and, if relevant, details of any difficulties that could occur and the assistance you might need.
If flying, ask your doctor if your disability or impairment makes you vulnerable to issues such as circulation problems.
If you have a medical condition, some airlines may require you and your doctor to complete a Medical Information Form (MEDIF). The form is usually only valid for one trip and the flights and dates shown on your ticket.
Frequent travellers may be able to obtain a Frequent Travellers Medical Card (FREMEC), which gives the airline a permanent record of your specific needs, so that you do not have to fill in a form and make arrangements every time you travel.
If you take medication:
- check with your airline provider what documentation you should take with you to prove the need to carry medication and in what receptacles it should be carried
- you may need a letter from your doctor stating your need for the medication in case you need to get more when travelling, and particularly if you are going to a country with strict drug controls. Carry the letter with you so you can show it to customs officers
- ensure you take enough medication with you to see you through the trip and allow for possible delays. Always keep clearly labelled medication and any medical documents in your hand luggage or in a place you can get to them easily.
- your medication may contain ingredients that are illegal in some countries. Find out more information on travelling with medicine containing a controlled drug. Before you travel, check with the embassy of the country you will visit .
4. Reduced mobility: your rights
Think about the facilities or support you will need. Make sure you give the carrier and travel provider all the relevant details of your requirements at all stages of the journey.
There are specific rights for people with disabilities and reduced mobility, if you are travelling from the UK or the European Union. Under Regulation EC 1107/2006:
- airlines and tour operators may not refuse to take bookings or carry passengers on the basis of reduced mobility
- a reservation or boarding can only be refused for justified safety reasons or if the boarding or transport of a person with a disability or reduced mobility is physically impossible, due to the size of the aircraft or its doors
- if a reservation is refused, an acceptable alternative must be offered. If boarding is refused, the person must be offered reimbursement or re-routing
- airport authorities are obliged to provide assistance without extra cost to the person concerned, though it may levy a charge on all passengers
- the airport authority is responsible for ensuring that the passenger receives the necessary assistance from designated points of arrival at the airport to the point of boarding the aircraft
- on flights from EU airports, airlines are obliged to provide certain services, such as the carrying of wheelchairs or guide dogs, free of charge
- airport authorities and airlines have to provide training to their staff so that those providing direct assistance to people with disabilities and reduced mobility know how to meet their needs
- all staff working at the airport should be provided with disability equality and awareness training
5. Transport
Consider your needs during all parts of the journey, including at departure, while onboard, at stopovers, during transfer journeys and at the destination.
Consider pre-booking your seat – different transport carriers have different policies so check the terms of any pre-booking. If relevant, find out about toilet accessibility and any special dietary requirements.
Check what assistance is available at check-in, moving around the terminal, for boarding and disembarking. The Civil Aviation Authority has information on special assistance at UK airports.
6. Travelling with wheelchairs and other equipment
Check the policy on taking any equipment you may need such as wheelchairs, portable machines, batteries, respirators or oxygen. Some airlines will not take certain types of batteries such as wet cell batteries or oxygen cylinders. You may need to follow packing procedures, you may be asked about the make and type of your equipment, and there may be forms to complete.
Wheelchair users are usually boarded on planes first, so arrive in good time. Whatever your needs, if you think you require additional time to make yourself comfortable, ask to be pre-boarded.
Wheelchair users often disembark planes last on arrival.
Wheelchair users will usually be asked to transfer to another chair so that their own wheelchair can be loaded onto the plane.
If your wheelchair is anything other than a standard specification, make sure you ask the crew for it to be made available at the door on arrival - the airline may otherwise choose to meet you with one of the airport operator’s wheelchairs.
To avoid loss or damage, remove seat cushions and any other parts that could easily become separated from the chair, and take these items with you.
Attach instructions to scooters or power chairs, saying how and where to disconnect the batteries, and any other assembly or transportation instructions that might be necessary. This is important because, even if you give handlers instructions at the start of your journey, you may not be able to do the same with the handlers when you arrive.
7. Assistance and guide dogs
If you have an assistance or guide dog, contact the airline as soon as possible, and check their policy on travelling with an assistance or guide dog.
Confirm if any veterinary certificates and identification are required, and the procedure for carriage of the dog.
Check if your dog will be subject to quarantine regulations.
Check with your accommodation if there are facilities for your dog.
Find more information on travelling with an assistance or guide dog.
8. Accommodation
Be specific about your requirements – ask for whatever you need to make your stay comfortable and ask for written confirmation that they are available.
If you use a travel agent or tour operator, they should be able to advise you, but you may also want to contact the hotel, resort or cruise liner directly to confirm specific details.
9. Mobility needs, wheelchairs and other equipment at your destination
If you have mobility needs, check on the access to rooms, restaurants, bars, toilets, swimming pool, the beach etc.
Check if a lift is available, and if relevant, whether your wheelchair or other equipment will fit. If you prefer, check if you can be on the ground floor or near a suitable lift.
If you use a wheelchair, check if there is step-free access to all the main areas of the hotel, resort or cruise ship.
Check if the bedroom and bathroom facilities are going to fit your needs. If relevant, ask how wide the door is, whether it opens outwards or inwards, how large the bathroom is, and if there is a roll-in shower or grab-bars.
If you use an electric wheelchair, check if there are charging facilities.
Remember to take with you any necessary equipment such as spare inner tubes and tools, a voltage converter (check the voltage before you travel), an adaptor plug and transformer.
Ask if you can hire any equipment you need, such as back rests, bathing equipment, hoists, ramps and special mattresses. Information may be available from local disability organisations at your destination.
10. Car use
If you intend to take or hire a car, the Blue Badge Scheme operates in other countries, including throughout the European Union. Adapted cars are available for hire in many countries. Make sure you know the licence requirements, driving laws and driving conditions of the country you are visiting.
When hiring a car, make sure the company is fully aware of your needs and check the level of insurance they offer – you may decide to extend the insurance.
If you need a taxi, try to book one in advance and state your needs. Be aware that, in many places, accessible vehicles may not be available.
11. How the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can help
If you get into difficulty overseas, you can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the FCDO in London on 020 7008 5000.
The FCDO can:
- offer general travel information
- help you to contact a local doctor if you need medical treatment
- provide information about translation and interpretation services
- provide a list of overseas lawyers who speak English
- help you contact the relevant local authorities and organisations when you are overseas
- contact your relatives and friends and let them know if something has happened to you
- give you advice on your options if you need financial help
- where appropriate, issue travel documents
Find more information on the FCDO’s support for British nationals abroad.
12. Emergency contacts
FCDO Travel Advice pages contain the contact details for the emergency services in most countries. In the European Union, you can phone 112 for local emergency services.
You can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the FCDO in London on 020 7008 5000.