Accessible transport & mobility support
Arranging transport support for a disability or reduced mobility can already feel complicated at home, and doing it in a new country, in a language you don't speak yet, can make it feel more so. Belgium has a developed system of assistance and accessible options, once you know who to contact and how far ahead to book.
This page explains the accessibility support available on public transport, how to arrange accessible taxis, and how to apply for a disabled parking card.
Overview
Accessibility varies across different types of transport in Belgium, so what you need to arrange depends on how you travel. Trains and larger stations generally offer the most reliable support, provided you book ahead, while buses, trams and taxis vary more by vehicle and operator. If you need a reserved parking space, that requires a separate application through the federal government.
Accessible public transport
- Trains (NMBS/SNCB): request assistance in advance through the NMBS assistance service - this typically needs to be booked a set number of hours before you travel, so it isn't usually a same-day option. Not every station has step-free access, so check accessibility at both your departure and arrival station before booking.
- Buses and trams (De Lijn): newer low-floor vehicles are wheelchair accessible, but not the whole fleet, so accessibility can vary by route and time of day.
- Mindermobielencentrale (MMC): a local, often volunteer-run transport service for people who can't use standard public transport, organised through your municipality or OCMW - worth registering with if standard public transport doesn't meet your needs.
Accessible taxis and local mobility services
Not all taxi companies operate wheelchair-accessible vehicles, so it's worth calling ahead to check rather than assuming any taxi can accommodate you - see our Airports and taxis page for how taxis generally work in the region. Some municipalities and OCMWs also offer their own reduced-mobility transport schemes alongside MMC, so it's worth asking at your local municipality what's available in your area.
Disabled parking card
The European Disability Card / parking card (Europese parkeerkaart) is issued by the federal government and lets you use reserved disabled parking spaces across Belgium and much of the EU. You'll need supporting medical documentation to apply, and processing can take some time, so it's worth applying well before you need it.
Good to know: book train assistance as early as you can once you know your travel dates - last-minute requests are harder to guarantee, especially at smaller stations.
If you're moving from another EU country, check whether your existing disability parking card is already recognised in Belgium before applying for a new one.
Sources
- Health and social security — vlaanderen.be
- Mobility — belgium.be
- De Lijn — delijn.be
- SNCB / NMBS — belgiantrain.be
- Persons with disabilities (parking card) — handicap.belgium.be
