Spain has one of the best airport accessibility systems in Europe thanks to Aena, which manages the majority of the country’s commercial airports, including mainland Spain, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.
Most Spanish airports use Aena’s free “Barrier Free” (Sin Barreras) assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility, hidden disabilities, autism, sensory needs, and other accessibility requirements. Assistance should usually be requested at least 48 hours before your flight, either through your airline or directly via Aena.
You can also request the Aena Hidden Disabilities Badge, which can help staff identify that you or your child may need extra time, understanding, or support without needing to explain everything repeatedly.
Quick Wins for Special Assistance at Spanish Airports
It is important to know that most airports in Spain use Aena’s free “Barrier Free” special assistance service for disabled passengers, hidden disabilities and reduced mobility support and no longer support the Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyard scheme. The same Aena system covers most mainland Spain airports, the Canary Islands and the Balearics, making travel more predictable.
- Request assistance at least 48 hours before your flight through your airline or directly through Aena
- Ask for the DPNA code to be added if travelling with an autistic child or someone with a developmental disability
- Apply for the Aena Hidden Disabilities Badge to help staff recognise invisible disabilities without repeated explanations
- Arrive at least 2.5 hours before departure if using special assistance services
- Look for designated PRM meeting points throughout the airport for easier check-in and support
Universal Aena Special Assistance Links
For most airports listed below, you can use the same official Aena PRM assistance page:
Aena Barrier Free Special Assistance Request
You can also request the Hidden Disabilities Badge here:
Aena Hidden Disabilities Badge
Mainland Spain Airports
- Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) – Madrid-Barajas Airport Special Assistance
- Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) – Barcelona-El Prat Airport Special Assistance
- Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) – Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport Special Assistance
- Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) – Alicante-Elche Airport Special Assistance
- Valencia Airport (VLC) – Valencia Airport Special Assistance
- Seville Airport (SVQ) – Seville Airport Special Assistance
- Bilbao Airport (BIO) – Bilbao Airport Special Assistance
- Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) – Santiago de Compostela Airport Special Assistance
- Granada Airport (GRX) – Granada Airport Special Assistance
- Murcia International Airport (RMU) – Murcia International Airport Special Assistance
- Reus Airport (REU) – Reus Airport Special Assistance
- Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO) – Girona-Costa Brava Airport Special Assistance
- Asturias Airport (OVD) – Asturias Airport Special Assistance
- Vigo Airport (VGO) – Vigo Airport Special Assistance
- A Coruña Airport (LCG) – A Coruña Airport Special Assistance
- Jerez Airport (XRY) – Jerez Airport Special Assistance
- Almeria Airport (LEI) – Almeria Airport Special Assistance
- Santander Airport (SDR) – Santander Airport Special Assistance
- Zaragoza Airport (ZAZ) – Zaragoza Airport Special Assistance
The Canary Islands Airports
- Tenerife South Airport (TFS) – Tenerife South Airport Special Assistance
- Tenerife North Airport (TFN) – Tenerife North Airport Special Assistance
- Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) – Gran Canaria Airport Special Assistance
- César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport (ACE) – Lanzarote Airport Special Assistance
- Fuerteventura Airport (FUE) – Fuerteventura Airport Special Assistance
- La Palma Airport (SPC) – La Palma Airport Special Assistance
- La Gomera Airport (GMZ) – La Gomera Airport Special Assistance
- El Hierro Airport (VDE) – El Hierro Airport Special Assistance
The Balearic Islands Airports
- Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) – Palma de Mallorca Airport Special Assistance
- Menorca Airport (MAH) – Menorca Airport Special Assistance
- Ibiza Airport (IBZ) – Ibiza Airport Special Assistance
Quick Tips for Booking Disability Assistance in Spain
Book at Least 48 Hours Before Travel
This is the standard recommendation across Aena airports and helps ensure the right support is arranged. For more details, my guide to getting help at the airport details what help you can get, how to book it and what to expect on the day.
Use the DPNA Code for Autism or Developmental Disabilities
DPNA is the airline code often used for autistic passengers and those with intellectual or developmental disabilities. New to the DPNA code? My guide tells you exactly what DPNA is, who should use it and how to add it to your booking.
Ask for the Hidden Disabilities Badge
This can be especially helpful for autistic children, anxiety, sensory needs and non-visible disabilities. Learn more about the Aena Spanish hidden disabilities badge in my guide.
Arrive Early
Aena recommends arriving at least 2.5 hours before departure when using PRM services. PRM is one of the codes an airport or airline uses, my guide tells you about all of the codes airports and airlines use and what they mean.
Confirm With Both Airline and Airport
Your airline usually adds the SSR code, but checking both sides avoids problems. A SSR code is a special service request and each type of request has a four letter code that is added to the passenger booking. Learn more about disability codes used by airports and airlines in my guide.
Back up Your Booking in PRM Assist
Use the PRM Assist app to make a special assistance booking – this backs up your request for help and gives you a record of it you can access anytime on your phone. If you are new to PRM Assist, my guide explains what it is and how to use it.
Spain is one of the easiest European destinations for accessible air travel because the majority of airports follow the same Aena system. Once you understand how the Barrier Free service works, travelling through Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Tenerife, Palma or smaller regional airports becomes much simpler. If you are planning a trip to Spain, my guide to travelling Spain with autistic children is the best place to start.
For autism families, the combination of PRM assistance, DPNA support and the Hidden Disabilities Badge can make a huge difference in reducing airport stress.
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
- Prefer island holidays with beaches, sunshine and resort-style stays? Discover The Canary Islands with autistic children for calmer resorts, family-friendly hotels and year-round warm weather
- Travelling with a hidden disability? Learn how the AENA hidden disability badge for Spain works and which Spanish airports currently support it
- 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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