Question
What’s it like being disabled in Spain (also as a disabled young adult) ? We are moving to Madrid soon (for better access to specialist healthcare) but not sure how disability is seen culturally there? Or bureaucratically, like in the US we have the ADA but not sure if there is something similar there? Or general vibes?
Answers
These are the answers from Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“ It depends a lot on what kind of disability. If you are in a wheelchair, certain things will be difficult. For example, cobblestones on a lot of the streets and many many bars and restaurants with bathrooms only up or down stairs. Official offices need to have an accesible entrance, but lots of shops and bars do not.
Parking pass is hard to get and you will need to get your disability formally recognized by the junta of your community to access this and any othet of the services or reduced fees. I have been living here for a long while and have a disability recognized.”
“ I do not have a disability, but I have family with disabilities that impact mobility who visit me in Madrid. The Metro is largely wheelchair accessible. Not all stations are elevator equipped yet, so it’s helpful to know which stations to avoid. One must plan extra time for travel because elevators (though well-signed) are often in inconvenient corners of stations and platforms.
Every EMT bus I’ve taken has been fully accessible, as is the light rail in the suburbs. Once on the street, however, cobblestone streets and very narrow and congested sidewalks are very challenging.
Many, many buildings here are old and not accessible…and simply can’t be made to be. Restrooms are particularly problematic, as they are usually tiny, and located upstairs or downstairs. Public buildings and medical buildings are the most accessible in Madrid.
For those who are visually impaired, Madrid is a model city. Audible and tactile signals are prevalent throughout the city, and there are well-funded support services here.
My guess is that it may be frustrating early-on as a newcomer, but one will eventually develop a list of favorite accesible places and preferred transit routes. ”
“ I second this excellent summary. I am in Valencia and it is much the same where I am at. I was married to a quadriplegic for 10 years. I still reflexively look for accessibility issues everywhere I go. I agree that initially it will likely be very frustrating until you discover where the accessible areas are. ”
“ People here respect me for taking care of myself and disability. In the US, I was tossed aside and treated like a piece of garbage. ”
“ Maybe the difference in how you have been treated is due to different kinds of disabilities. But I have also been tossed aside and treated like garbage in the USA for my disabilities, many times. ”
“ The laws are there. But how one is treated is a very different thing. ”
“ Drs, employers, church, people. And society’s attitude toward the disabled in the US is horrible. Just my experience ”
“ I recently relocated from the states to Valencia. Spain is no where near handicap accessible in comparison to the states. The health care system is one of the best in the world. However; be prepared for hoops and red tape. I highly recommend purchasing a private policy to speed up your care. The staring is part of the culture. It isn’t about your disability, it’s just how people are here. ”
“ I am a physical therapist in the US who has traveled extensively in Spain and it is not at all accessible for persons with disabilities. I have rarely seen a person in a wheelchair. ”
“ I live in Pontevedra. There are many people with motorized chairs, walkers, canes, all up and about. Many places have ramps and lifts. ”
“ I’ve been in Sevilla 5 months. I see plenty of people with various challenges living seemingly normal lives. Public busses accommodate wheelchairs pretty well. ”
“ You are largely ignored. ”
“ They are definitely behind the United States when it comes to disability access. There doesn’t seem to be a standardized system. Some cities are better than others. Newer buildings are more accessible, older ones are not. ”
“ Their lotto system is geared to fund disability improvements. ONCE stands sell the lotto tickets, often manned by special needs persons. ”
“ The beaches locally have special areas with showers and ramps, books and magazines, covered and a smooth path to the sea ”
Conclusion
Based on community experiences, being disabled in Spain varies greatly depending on the type of disability and the city where you live. Public healthcare is widely praised, but accessibility—especially in older buildings, streets, and businesses—can be challenging.
Many contributors highlight that while Spain lacks an equivalent to the ADA, public transport and medical facilities are often accessible, particularly in larger cities like Madrid. Bureaucratic processes can be slow, and formal disability recognition is required to access benefits or reduced fees.
The main takeaway is that living disabled in Spain is possible and often culturally accepted, but it requires adjustment, planning, and realistic expectations, especially regarding infrastructure and bureaucracy.
This article is based on personal opinions from the Spainguru community and is not legal advice.
