European Union

I need a wheelchair at the airport but the airline charges extra. Is this legal?

€600 max
Compensation cap
EC 1107/2006
Key regulation
Free aid
Mandatory support
48h notice
Recommended advance request
The Short Answer

No, it is not legal for airlines in the EU to charge extra for wheelchair assistance or other disability-related support at airports.

What the Law Says

EU Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 establishes the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air. It prohibits airlines and airports from charging for assistance required due to disability or reduced mobility.

Under this regulation, passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility are entitled to receive assistance free of charge at airports and on board aircraft — including wheelchair provision, boarding and disembarking help, and transfer between gates.

The regulation applies to all flights departing from an EU airport, and to flights arriving in the EU operated by an EU airline. Assistance must be provided at no extra cost, regardless of ticket type or fare class.

Airlines may ask passengers to notify them of assistance needs at least 48 hours before departure to ensure proper arrangements — but failure to do so does not justify charging or denying aid.

Statutory Text

Passengers shall not be charged for the assistance required by this Regulation.

— Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006, Art. 4(1)
Statutory Text

Assistance shall be provided free of charge to passengers with reduced mobility...

— Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006, Art. 3(1)

What to Do

1

Contact your airline and airport at least 48 hours before travel to request wheelchair assistance.

2

If charged, refuse payment and ask for written justification — then file a complaint with the national enforcement body (e.g., UK CAA, German Luftfahrt-Bundesamt).

3

Keep all receipts, correspondence, and flight documents as evidence.

4

You may claim up to €600 compensation under EC 261/2004 if denied assistance caused missed connections or delays over 3 hours.

Sources

statuteRegulation (EC) No 1107/2006, Art. 3–4 — Rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by airstatuteRegulation (EC) No 261/2004, Art. 7 — Compensation for denied boarding, cancellation and long delay

Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.