Travelling through airports can be stressful under the best of circumstances — and even more so if someone in your party has a hidden or invisible disability (such as autism spectrum disorder, sensory-sensitivity, anxiety, etc.). The Spanish airport operator Aena (which runs Spain’s civil airports) has introduced a tool designed to make the experience smoother: the Hidden/Invisible Disability Badge (sometimes called the “Invisible Disabilities Badge”).
In this post I’ll cover:
- What the badge is and how it works.
- Which airports in the Aena network currently accept it.
- How to apply for one before you travel (and some tips).
What is the Aena Hidden Disability Badge?
The badge is an official identification issued by Aena for travellers who have a hidden or invisible disability — that is, someone whose difficulties may not be obvious at first sight (e.g., sensory overload, anxiety in busy places, difficulties with unexpected changes) but who may need a little more time, patience or support when moving through the airport.
Here are some key points about how it works:
- The badge is not a fast-track or bypass of airport procedures. It doesn’t mean you skip security, nor does it replace other assistance services.
- What the badge does do: It signals to airport staff that the badge-holder may benefit from a bit more understanding, maybe more time, maybe less noise or queue stress. It may allow access to a security checkpoint for families / people with reduced mobility (PRMs) if such a lane exists; if not, then you’ll be given priority through the general lane as much as possible.
- It is valid only for the day of the flight at the airport(s) specified. You will need to request it in advance and present it (printed or digital) to be able to access support.
- Because it’s aimed at hidden disabilities (rather than visible mobility impairments), it helps staff understand behaviour that might otherwise seem unusual (for example, someone needing to wait or pause, or avoid crowds).
- It’s separate from the “Barrier Free/Persons with Reduced Mobility” (PRM) service. If you or someone you travel with has visible reduced mobility (wheelchair, etc.), you should also arrange standard PRM assistance. The badge can complement, but does not replace that service.
In short: if you have an invisible disability and will be using a Spanish airport in the Aena network, the badge is a helpful tool to improve your airport experience — less rush, more understanding, smoother transitions.
Which Airports Accept the Badge?
Firstly, Aena manages a large network of airports across Spain. The full list of airports in the Aena network is available on their website. Please be aware that the name of the airport is not always listed as the name of the city e.g. I was searching for Madrid by typing M and failing, but the airport is actually named Adolfo Suárez Madrid‑Barajas Airport so I needed to be searching for A.
However, not all of these airports currently list the Invisible Disabilities Badge as available. According to Aena’s own page, the badge is available at a defined list of airports.
Here is a representative list of airports where the badge is currently accepted, based on the most up-to-date information:
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid‑Barajas Airport (MAD) — Madrid
- Alicante‑Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC) — Alicante/Elche
- Bilbao Airport (BIO)
- César Manrique‑Lanzarote Airport (ACE) — Lanzarote
- Fuerteventura Airport (FUE)
- Gran Canaria Airport (LPA)
- Ibiza Airport (IBZ)
- Internacional Región de Murcia Airport (RMU)
- Josep Tarradellas Barcelona‑El Prat Airport (BCN)
- Málaga‑Costa del Sol Airport (AGP)
- Menorca Airport (MAH)
- Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI)
- Reus Airport (REU)
- Sevilla Airport (SVQ)
- Santiago‑Rosalía de Castro Airport (SCQ)
- Tenerife Norte‑Ciudad de La Laguna Airport (TFN)
- Tenerife Sur Airport (TFS)
- Valencia Airport (VLC)
- Vigo Airport (VGO)
Important note: Because Aena operates many smaller regional airports, not every Aena-managed airport may yet have the badge process fully implemented. If you are flying via a smaller airport, check its “People with special needs / Hidden disabilities” section on the Aena website ahead of time.
I have a seperate guide which links out to the special assistance department for all of Spain’s airports.
How to Apply for the Badge
Here’s how to get the badge in advance of your travel day:
- Visit the Aena website’s “Invisible Disabilities Badge” page (you can often find it under “Passengers / Travellers / Passengers with special needs / Hidden disabilities”.)
- Complete the online request form. You will need to:
- Pick the airport (or “other” if not listed)
- Provide passenger details and flight information.
- Accept the terms and conditions.
- Submit. Aena will issue the badge (often as a digital PDF) which you can print or show on your mobile device.
- On the day of travel: present the badge at the security checkpoint / relevant desk to request the facilitated access. Showing that you have the badge gives staff the signal to provide understanding or priority.
- Always remember: you still must follow all security rules and check-in times etc. The badge does not remove the need for full compliance with airport procedures.
Tips and Reminders:
- Apply early: So you have the badge ready (printed or on screen) ahead of your travel.
- One badge per passenger (or party): If you’re travelling with someone who will carry the badge, that should suffice for the group.
- Check the airport: Even if your flight is with an Aena airport that accepts the badge, check whether there are dedicated security lanes (families/PRMs) at that airport. If not, you may still go through the standard lane but with staff aware of your situation.
- Prepare for your child / companion: If you’re travelling with a neurodivergent child or someone who may become overwhelmed, plan ahead for arrival, time for check-in, gates, maybe quieter areas, sensory breaks. Seeing the badge as part of the toolkit (not the whole solution) helps.
- Carry supporting information: If your child or you have a diagnosis or documentation that explains a hidden disability, carry it (though it may not be required). The badge is the signal — but being prepared helps. We keep a copy of these things on a Google drive so we can pull it up if we need it, but also if we happen to lose the phone it is on we can access it from another device and log out the lost device so it loses access.
- Communicate early: As you’re booking flights, check your airline’s assistance service and the airport’s services for hidden disabilities. Sometimes telling the airline ahead can help.
- Double-check connection airports: If you connect through another Spanish airport (even if departure and destination are fine), check whether that airport accepts the badge.
- Language: The Aena site often has English versions, but be aware of Spanish terms: “discapacidades invisibles”, “distintivo de discapacidades invisibles”.
- Not a magical “skip everything” pass: The badge helps with access/understanding, but you still needs to allow plenty of time, do the check-in/security procedures, manage boarding etc.
For families travelling with neurodivergent children (for example autistic children) or adults with hidden disabilities, managing an airport is not just about the flight—it’s about sensory regulation, predictability, waiting, security procedures, noise, bright lights, crowds, transit time. The Hidden Disability Badge from Aena is one of those travel tools that can help shift the experience from just simply surviving the airport, to managing an airport with the right support.
If you’ve used other schemes (for example the Sunflower Lanyard) you’ll note that the Aena badge is tailored for the Spanish airport context. Some recent sources say that Spanish airports no longer recognise the Sunflower lanyard as sufficient in themselves—that is, the Aena badge is the recommended option. That means if you fly into or out of Spain via an Aena airport and want the hidden-disability support, get the badge in advance.
Ready to plan your trip to Spain? Start with my Spain travel hub which links out to all of my guides for Spain, tells you which guides are coming next and gives practical travel advice for Spain with autistic children.
Continue Planning Your Spain Family Trip
Start with planning your overall Spain family adventure, including flights, regional travel, choosing the right destinations and understanding how sensory differences may affect your trip
- Looking for a full overview before you book? Learn more about visiting Spain with autistic children, including transport, food, accommodation and sensory-friendly travel tips
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- Planning a city break? Explore our Barcelona guide for family attractions, transport advice and sensory considerations in one of Spain’s busiest cities
- Want a more relaxed Balearic Islands experience? Read our Mallorca guide for beaches, family resorts and quieter holiday options
- Looking for nightlife, beaches and beautiful old towns? Discover Ibiza with autistic children, including calmer areas beyond the party reputation
- Using trains, metros or buses during your trip? Read our guide to accessible transport in Spain for practical information on getting around more easily with additional needs
Continue Planning Your Europe Travel Itinerary With Children
- Start with planning your overall Europe family trip, including flights, transport, pacing and choosing destinations that suit your child’s needs
- Looking for an easier first-time Europe destination? Consider visiting Denmark with kids for organised cities, reliable transport and family-friendly attractions
- Dreaming of pasta and pizza? Learn more about visiting Italy with autistic kids
- Planning big city adventures? Discover what to expect in Paris with autistic children, including transport, attractions and sensory considerations
- Want scenic train journeys and nature? Learn more about Switzerland with autistic children for mountain views, calm towns and predictable travel routines
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
- Discover an app that helps you locate a playground anywhere in the world
- Always alerted at the last minute that the little one needs a toilet? Find a toilet anywhere with this app
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip With My Guides
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