Last reviewed: 24th September 2023 | Next review due: 24th September 2025
We firmly believe that travel should be accessible to everybody. To be able to explore a place, journey somewhere new, feel a sense of adventure, discover new cultures and learn about local history is a very special experience. But for some, travel can be challenging.
We’ve compiled a guide to accessible travel within Europe, giving each country a rating out of five based on our new six-point criteria.
For 2025, we've overhauled our criteria to provide a more balanced overview and in-depth scoring calculation. It builds upon our previous five-point criteria and covers the following six categories, each with a percentage score:
Legal Framework and Disability Rights (20%)
Including accessibility legislation, international compliance, and enforcement and grievance mechanisms.
Government Action and Public Policy (15%)
Including government programmes and funding, and public awareness and advocacy.
Physical Accessibility of Public Buildings (20%)
Including public building accessibility, consistency across regions, and adaptation of historical buildings.
Street and Outdoor Mobility (15%)
Including pavements and dropped kerbs, pedestrian crossings, and accessible parks and recreational spaces.
Public Transport Accessibility (20%)
Including accessible vehicles, staff assistance and booking, and accessible transport information.
Private Sector and Commercial Accessibility (10%)
Including private business accessibility, and technological innovation.
Austria scores quite well in terms of transport accessibility, especially in its capital, Vienna, where public transport is highly accessible. However, rural areas present more challenges.
Overall rating: 4 (81%)
Legal framework: 4.5
Government action: 4
Public buildings: 4
Street mobility: 3.5
Public transport: 4.5
Private sector: 3.5
Belgium has an advanced legal framework for accessibility, particularly in Brussels. However, inconsistent building and street adaptations can create barriers.
Overall rating: 3.5 (73%)
Legal framework: 4
Government action: 3.5
Public buildings: 3.5
Street mobility: 3
Public transport: 4
Private sector: 3
Though Croatia has made strides, particularly in coastal areas and tourism hotspots, many older buildings and less urban areas are challenging for wheelchair users.
Overall rating: 2.5 (55%)
Legal framework: 3
Government action: 3
Public buildings: 2.5
Street mobility: 2.5
Public transport: 2.5
Private sector: 2
Larger cities such as Prague are improving, with accessible public transport, though older structures can be an issue. Smaller towns tend to be less accessible.
Overall rating: 3 (68%)
Legal framework: 3.5
Government action: 3.5
Public buildings: 3.5
Street mobility: 3
Public transport: 3.5
Private sector: 2.5
Denmark, particularly Copenhagen, is a leading example of accessibility, with well-adapted public transport and public spaces.
Overall rating: 4.5 (88%)
Legal framework: 4.5
Government action: 4.5
Public buildings: 4.5
Street mobility: 4.5
Public transport: 5
Private sector: 4
While larger cities like Paris are making improvements, especially with transportation services like the metro, many older buildings remain inaccessible.
Overall rating: 3.5 (72%)
Legal framework: 4
Government action: 4
Public buildings: 3.5
Street mobility: 3.5
Public transport: 3.5
Private sector: 3.5
Germany has a strong legal framework and good infrastructure for wheelchair users, particularly in larger cities like Berlin and Munich.
Overall rating: 4 (85%)
Legal framework: 4.5
Government action: 4
Public buildings: 4
Street mobility: 4
Public transport: 4.5
Private sector: 4
The UK has a comprehensive legal framework and makes significant efforts to ensure accessibility, though some historical areas remain challenging. Public transport is largely accessible, with exceptions in older train stations.
It's important to remember that provisions differ across the four nations due to devolved governments.
Overall rating: 4 (82%)
Legal framework: 4.5
Government action: 4
Public buildings: 4
Street mobility: 3.5
Public transport: 4
Private sector: 4
Greece has made significant improvements, particularly in tourist areas, but many streets and buildings in Athens and other cities remain difficult to navigate for wheelchair users.
Overall rating: 2.5 (52%)
Legal framework: 3
Government action: 2.5
Public buildings: 2.5
Street mobility: 2.5
Public transport: 2.5
Private sector: 2
Budapest offers some accessibility, but outside of the capital, facilities and public transport are more limited.
Overall rating: 2.5 (52%)
Legal framework: 3
Government action: 2.5
Public buildings: 2.5
Street mobility: 2.5
Public transport: 2.5
Private sector: 2
Larger cities like Dublin are reasonably accessible, but rural areas and older buildings may present issues. Public transport is fairly inclusive.
Overall rating: 3.5 (73%)
Legal framework: 4
Government action: 3.5
Public buildings: 3.5
Street mobility: 3.5
Public transport: 4
Private sector: 3
Italy has made significant strides in accessibility in cities like Rome and Milan, though older buildings and narrow streets present ongoing challenges.
Overall rating: 3 (66%)
Legal framework: 4
Government action: 3
Public buildings: 3
Street mobility: 3
Public transport: 3
Private sector: 3
Accessibility is improving, but public transport and buildings can still be limiting in this small, mountainous country.
Overall rating: 3 (66%)
Legal framework: 3.5
Government action: 3.5
Public buildings: 3
Street mobility: 3
Public transport: 3
Private sector: 2.5
Luxembourg has a strong legal framework and accessible public transport, making it quite accommodating for those with mobility issues.
Overall rating: 4 (81%)
Legal framework: 4.5
Government action: 4
Public buildings: 4
Street mobility: 3.5
Public transport: 4
Private sector: 3.5
The Netherlands excels in accessibility, especially in public transport and infrastructure in cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Overall rating: 4.5 (91%)
Legal framework: 4.5
Government action: 4.5
Public buildings: 4.5
Street mobility: 4.5
Public transport: 5
Private sector: 4.5
Norway is a leader in accessibility, particularly in cities like Oslo, where public transport and public spaces are well-adapted.
Overall rating: 4.5 (90%)
Legal framework: 4.5
Government action: 4.5
Public buildings: 4.5
Street mobility: 4.5
Public transport: 5
Private sector: 4
While major cities like Lisbon and Porto have improved accessibility, cobblestone streets and older buildings can pose difficulties.
Overall rating: 3 (65%)
Legal framework: 3.5
Government action: 3
Public buildings: 3
Street mobility: 3
Public transport: 3.5
Private sector: 2.5
Accessibility is improving, but older areas and some transport services still pose challenges, particularly outside major cities.
Overall rating: 3 (62%)
Legal framework: 3.5
Government action: 3
Public buildings: 3
Street mobility: 3
Public transport: 3
Private sector: 2.5
Spain, particularly cities like Barcelona and Madrid, offers excellent accessibility, with well-adapted public transport systems and accessible public buildings.
Overall rating: 4 (79%)
Legal framework: 4
Government action: 4
Public buildings: 4
Street mobility: 3.5
Public transport: 4
Private sector: 3.5
It's worth noting that according to Article 121 of Spain's General Road Traffic Regulations, a person in a wheelchair (manual or powered) is considered a pedestrian and is thus obliged to remain on the pavement unless there is no pavement or it is not practical to do so. There is a special stipulation whereby if the pavement is not navigable, a wheelchair user can move on to the road as long as they take proper precautions. They must travel carefully, stay as far as safely possible to the right-hand side, and without unnecessarily impeding traffic.
Sweden is a leader in accessibility, with comprehensive laws and infrastructure in place. Public transport and most public spaces are easily accessible.
Overall rating: 4.5 (91%)
Legal framework: 4.5
Government action: 4.5
Public buildings: 4.5
Street mobility: 4.5
Public transport: 5
Private sector: 4.5
Switzerland is accessible in larger cities, though mountainous areas and older buildings can pose difficulties. Public transport is generally wheelchair-friendly.
Overall rating: 4 (82%)
Legal framework: 4
Government action: 4
Public buildings: 4
Street mobility: 4
Public transport: 4.5
Private sector: 4
Albania faces considerable accessibility challenges. The legal framework is not fully developed, and while some progress is being made in urban areas, rural areas and older buildings remain largely inaccessible to wheelchair users. Public transport is also limited in terms of accessibility.
Andorra, being a small and mountainous country, presents challenges for accessibility. While there are some provisions for people with disabilities, the infrastructure, especially in hilly areas, can be difficult to navigate. Public transport is limited, and older buildings are often not adapted for wheelchair access.
Bosnia & Herzegovina faces significant challenges in terms of accessibility. While there are some efforts to improve, particularly in urban centres, much of the country remains difficult to navigate for wheelchair users due to limited infrastructure and older buildings.
Bulgaria's accessibility has improved in recent years, particularly in larger cities like Sofia. There are legal protections for people with disabilities, but enforcement remains inconsistent. Public buildings are gradually becoming more accessible, but streets and public transport still pose significant challenges.
Estonia has a solid legal framework in place for accessibility, and public transport in Tallinn is improving for people with disabilities. However, challenges persist in older buildings and more rural areas. The government has made notable efforts to improve the situation.
Finland is a leader in accessibility, with a robust legal framework, strong government action, and well-adapted public transport systems. Cities like Helsinki are known for their accessible public spaces and streets. Most public buildings are wheelchair-friendly, and there is significant private-sector engagement in improving accessibility.
Latvia, particularly Riga, is working to improve accessibility, with some progress in public transport and newer public buildings. However, historical buildings and streets often remain difficult to navigate for wheelchair users. Legal frameworks exist, but they are not always fully enforced.
Lithuania has made strides in improving accessibility, particularly in Vilnius, where public transport is becoming more inclusive. However, much of the country still faces challenges in terms of older buildings and infrastructure. Government action is ongoing but needs further enhancement.
Montenegro’s accessibility for people with mobility issues remains underdeveloped. The country’s mountainous terrain, combined with older infrastructure, makes movement difficult. Public transport and buildings are generally not well-adapted, though efforts are slowly being made.
Poland has made notable improvements in accessibility, particularly in major cities like Warsaw and Krakow, where public transport and new public buildings are wheelchair-friendly. However, older areas and rural regions still pose significant challenges. Legal protections are in place, but enforcement and private-sector engagement could be stronger.
Slovakia is progressing in accessibility, especially in urban areas. Public transport in cities like Bratislava has improved, with wheelchair-friendly buses and trains. However, older buildings and streets still pose obstacles. Legal protections exist, but implementation varies across the country.
Disability Rights UK disabilityrightsuk.org | A UK-based charity set up to create a society where disabled people have equal power, rights and equality of opportunity. |
| InclusionEurope inclusion-europe.eu | Europe-wide charity fighting for equal rights and full inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. |
| Motability motability.org.uk | National charity with the purpose of enhancing the lives of disabled people with transportation solutions and charitable grant programmes. |
| NewLife newlifecharity.co.uk | A UK-based charity providing help and support to disabled children and their families. |
| NHS nhs.uk | UK National Health Service providing healthcare, information, advice, and other health-related services. |
| Prince’s Trust princes-trust.org.uk | A UK-based charity founded by King Charles III that provides help, support and advice to young people with disabilities and those who are vulnerable, living in poverty, struggling with education, employment or other difficult circumstances. |
| Scope scope.org.uk | Disability equality charity that campaigns for a fairer society and provides practical information and emotional support. |
These scores are based on available information from official sources, EU mobility reports, and national statistics concerning transport, public spaces, legal frameworks and general trends for accessibility within the countries listed.