Flying to Lisbon with a Wheelchair or Mobility Aid
Published by FlyingWith5 min readSources checked
Airline and government rules change. Check your airline's current rules before you travel.
FlyingWith editorial team
How we check our sourcesQuick answer
Tell your airline about your assistance needs and mobility equipment at least 48 hours before departure. EU rules then require the airport to provide assistance, and airlines to carry up to two pieces of mobility equipment, subject to space on board and dangerous-goods rules.
Scope: For travellers who use a wheelchair, mobility scooter or other mobility aid, flying into Lisbon Airport. The rules quoted are from EU Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006, which applies at airports in EU member states, including when you arrive in or depart from Lisbon. Airline battery rules, local transport and accommodation have to be checked separately; this isn't legal advice.
In this guide(5)
Go straight to the part you need.
Two things shape a trip to Lisbon with a mobility aid: the assistance you're entitled to at the airport and on board, and a city whose older neighbourhoods are hilly and paved with small stone cobbles. This guide covers the rules that apply to the flight and what to check before you book.
Choose airports, dates and passengers in the flight-search form, then compare on Trip.com.
Part of: Flying with Mobility Needs, Flying with a Disability
What changes by airline
- The check-in time set for passengers who need assistance
- The details required about your wheelchair or scooter and its battery
- How to report damaged equipment and claim
Official rules: European Union (Regulation 1107/2006)
Request assistance at least 48 hours before departure
Under Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006, the airport's managing body must provide the assistance described in the regulation's Annex I so you can take your flight, provided you notified the airline, its agent or the tour operator of your needs at least 48 hours before the published departure time. That notification also covers the return flight if both flights are with the same airline.
If you notify later than that, or not at all, the airport must still make all reasonable efforts to provide the assistance.
The regulation's conditions include presenting yourself for check-in at the time the airline stipulated in writing in advance, so ask the airline when that is.
If you still need mobile data for your trip, explore Airalo eSIM plans and check your phone compatibility, destination coverage and activation date before buying.
Affiliate link via Travelpayouts. We may earn a commission; Airalo sets prices and terms.
Official rules: European Union (Regulation 1107/2006)
Your wheelchair and other mobility equipment
Annex II of the regulation lists transport of up to two pieces of mobility equipment per person, including electric wheelchairs, in addition to medical equipment, subject to 48 hours' advance warning, possible limits on space on board, and the rules on dangerous goods (which is where battery requirements come in).
Article 12 says that if wheelchairs or other mobility equipment are lost or damaged while handled at the airport or carried on board, the owner is entitled to compensation under the applicable international, EU and national rules.
Ask the airline in advance which details it needs about your equipment, for example its dimensions, weight and battery type, and get its confirmation in writing.
Official rules: Lisbon Airport (ANA)
At Lisbon Airport
Lisbon Airport says its assistance service, MyWay, is available for any passenger with a disability or reduced mobility who is departing from, in transit through, or arriving at the airport, and that it includes mobility aids and trained staff who assist according to your needs.
Request the assistance through your airline when you book, so the 48-hour notification under the EU regulation is met for every flight in your itinerary.
General advice: applies wherever you fly
Getting around a hilly, cobbled city
Many of Lisbon's older streets are steep and paved with small stone cobbles, which can be slow and bumpy with small front casters. Before you book accommodation, ask for step-free access details and for the nearest level route to a taxi or transit stop.
Check the accessibility information published by the transport operator for any route you plan to use, rather than assuming every station or vehicle is step-free.
General advice: applies wherever you fly
Before you book, confirm these
Get the airline's answers in writing where you can.
Checklist
- That assistance is recorded on your booking at least 48 hours before each departure, including connections.
- The airline's check-in time for passengers who need assistance.
- What details the airline needs about your wheelchair or scooter and its battery.
- Step-free access at your accommodation and a level route to transport.
- How to report and claim for damaged equipment on arrival.
Official sources
Rules and amounts change. Before you rely on anything marked as an official rule, check the source. These are the official pages we used.
- Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006: rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air · EUR-Lex (European Union)
- Reduced mobility: MyWay assistance · Lisbon Airport (ANA Aeroportos de Portugal)
Share this guide
Saves a reading copy on this device, visible to anyone using it. Checklist answers and bookings are not saved. Browser storage can be cleared automatically; check your saved guides before travelling.
Put your next steps in one place
Build a checklist for the people travelling, then download a PDF or add a calendar reminder.
Build my trip checklistHelp keep this page accurate
Opens an email draft with this page’s public link. You can review it before sending.
Stay a little longer
Find your place to stay
Choose where to stay, add dates if you have them, and continue to accommodation results through Stay22.
Choose a check-in date, then a duration to set check-out.
Still planning? Leave both dates blank to browse.
Your destination: Lisbon
Affiliate link through Stay22. FlyingWith may earn a commission if you book. The booking provider handles prices and payment.
Going somewhere else? Search worldwideReuse them on other accommodation searches and in another language. Only the dates are kept; clear them when your trip changes.
What should the property confirm?
Choose the arrangements you want to check before paying.
These are questions for the property. They do not filter the search results, and your choices stay on this page.
Travel essentials
Complete your travel plans
Choose the service you need, then compare the offer and its terms with the provider.
Mobile data for your trip
Compare an eSIM with your carrier’s roaming offer and a local SIM. An eSIM only helps if your exact device and the plan suit the trip.
Affiliate partner options
Affiliate links through Travelpayouts. FlyingWith may earn a commission on an eligible purchase or paid service.
Build my eSIM shopping list →Checks before choosing
Installing an eSIM and starting its validity period can be different events. Follow the chosen plan’s instructions. The checklist is a reminder, not an automatic device check.
- Check the device model, purchase region and network lock with the provider before paying.
- Compare the countries covered, data allowance, validity start, hotspot rules and any speed limits.
- Check whether calls and SMS are included. Save maps, the hotel address and installation instructions for offline use.
Getting from the airport
Compare the airport’s official public transport and taxi information with a prebooked transfer. Choose based on the whole journey to your accommodation.
GetTransfer is a transfer marketplace. Availability and suitability depend on the offer; a listed vehicle does not confirm accessible transport or a child seat.
Affiliate partner options
Affiliate links through Travelpayouts. FlyingWith may earn a commission on an eligible purchase or paid service.
Take these details to your airport pickup quote
Copy these questions into your request. A marketplace listing alone does not confirm a child seat or accessible vehicle.
0 of 4 pickup details reviewed
Checks before choosing
- Confirm the exact terminal, meeting point, luggage space and contact method if your flight changes.
- Ask for written confirmation of any child seat, pet or mobility requirement before payment.
- Read the total price, waiting policy, cancellation deadline and refund method for the specific offer.
The provider handles prices, booking terms, payment and support. Review the details there before paying.
Sources checked
Next step
Related guides
- Airport Transfer Checklist: Compare the Whole JourneyCompare public transport, taxis and prebooked airport transfers. Check pickup instructions, total cost, luggage, access and delay terms before paying.
- Flying with Medication and Medical DevicesHow to pack, declare and screen medication, liquids over 100 ml, insulin, syringes, EpiPens and CPAP machines, with the official CATSA and TSA rules.
- Flying with a Power WheelchairThe handling sheet that prevents damage, what each aircraft can carry, how battery rules work at Canadian screening and under FAA rules, and what to do at arrival.
- Requesting Wheelchair Assistance at the AirportHow to ask for the right level of airport assistance without disclosing more than you want to, what the service covers, and what Canadian and United States rules require.