Guides · Older travellers
Travelling to Spain with an elderly parent who has limited mobility
A trip to Spain with an elderly parent can be the best holiday of the year, as long as the hard parts are planned before you leave. These are the five that matter.
Updated 26 October 2026 · AbleVan · 3 min read
In short: Book free airport assistance 48 hours before the flight. Carry a GHIC and travel insurance. Choose transport without steps, ask hotels precise questions and plan one thing a day.
Book airport assistance before you fly
All Spanish airports run by Aena, including Madrid-Barajas, Alicante-Elche and Málaga, offer free assistance for passengers with reduced mobility. Request it at least 48 hours before the flight, through the airline or Aena's website. Your parent does not need to use a wheelchair: it is also for anyone who cannot walk long distances or manage stairs.
Carry a health card and insurance, not just one of them
A GHIC or EHIC gives UK visitors free or low-cost state healthcare in Spain. It does not cover private treatment or getting you home. So also take out travel insurance that covers your parent's existing conditions.
Two details people miss:
- Prescriptions are not free. With a UK State Pension you pay 10% of the price.
- Oxygen therapy must be requested in writing from the Spanish health authority at least a month before you travel.
Transport for an elderly parent: count the steps
What tires most older travellers is not walking, it is climbing in and out of vehicles all day. An accessible taxi (eurotaxi) is fine for short trips, but there are few of them. For several days with luggage, a van with a ramp is easier. A wheelchair user travels seated in their own chair, with no transfers, and you set the pace. Here is what to check before hiring one.
Ask hotels precise questions
"Accessible room" means different things in different hotels. Ask:
- Is there step-free access from the street and the car park?
- Is the shower level with the floor, with grab rails and a seat?
- How high is the bed?
- Is there parking near the entrance for a larger vehicle?
Plan one thing a day
In summer, inland Spain is very hot from midday: go out early, rest after lunch and go out again in the evening. Many museums give free entry to disabled visitors and a companion, so bring proof. And carry the Blue Badge with a translation: Spain recognises it differently from place to place, because each local authority decides.
Need a van with a ramp? Tell us about your trip and your chair, and we look for a van that suits it before we send you an offer. Free, no commitment, reply within one working day.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book airport assistance in Spain in advance?
Yes. Aena asks for at least 48 hours' notice before the flight. You can request it through the airline, a travel agent or Aena's website, and it is free.
Is the GHIC enough for an elderly parent travelling to Spain?
No. The GHIC covers state healthcare, but not private treatment or medical repatriation. UK government advice is to also buy travel insurance that covers existing conditions.
Sources
- Aena, assistance for passengers with reduced mobility
- GOV.UK, healthcare for UK nationals visiting Spain
- GOV.UK, using a Blue Badge in the European Union (updated January 2026)
About AbleVan
AbleVan helps visitors to Spain who use a wheelchair hire a van with a ramp. We do not own vehicles: we find one from a Spanish rental company, check that it suits the traveller's chair and arrange the booking. This guide is written by the AbleVan team from official sources, listed above, and is reviewed when the rules change.