Spain is in for an Accessibility Overhaul with a 404 Million Euro Tender
- Human Rights Research Center
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Author: Ana Budeanu
April 3, 2026
HRRC applauds the efforts of the European Union to establish a more inclusive and accessible European Union under the European Accessibility Act, and that of Spain to put at the forefront the needs of disabled travelers. We call on other governments and companies to take similar measures, should they have the resources to do so.
![Airport Madrid-Bajaras will receive 3,2 billion Euro from the general Tender in 2027-2031 and will be in the first lot for upgrading PRM services [Image source: Wiki Voyager]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_a30c14187cfc41bf90bca00eff36ab27~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_32,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_a30c14187cfc41bf90bca00eff36ab27~mv2.png)
Spain’s airport management company, Aena, has unveiled a 404,3 million Euro competitive tender aimed at upgrading its ‘Barrier-Free’ Assistance Service for People with Reduced Mobility (PRM), which will improve services across 20 major airports, covering a three-year term with an option to extend for a further two years.
The PRM service is provided free of charge to passengers with reduced mobility due to physical or mental disability, age or other conditions requiring assistance, and is implemented under Spain’s obligation according to the Regulation (EC) 1107/2006. This tender is one of Aena’s projects planned for the 2027-2031 period during which the entire airport infrastructure of Spain will be upgraded with a record 12,7 billion Euro investment that targets the modernization of Spain’s entire airport infrastructure. This particular tender, of 404,3 million Euro, will be bridging the gap between Spain’s obligations under Regulation (EC) 1107/2006 and the EU Accessibility Act.
The European Accessibility Act is an important EU law that has as purpose the establishment of easy access to products and services for everybody, especially people with disabilities, by setting the same legal rules across all EU countries.
Persons with disabilities and the elderly population will experience tangible benefits, including an increased availability of inclusive products and services, including ATMs and ticketing machines with tactile keys, voice guidance, and adjustable heights as standard features, and smartwatches and glasses that have as feature "Environmental Audio Description," using AI to tell a visually impaired user what is in front of them, within the marketplace and the removal of structural barriers encountered in transport, education, and the open labor market, such as digital exclusion, rigid curricula or 24-hour notice for assistance.
The improvement of services intended by Aena aims to enhance service efficiency, reduce waiting times from the current 48 hours to 12 hours, and introduce new technology that would enhance passengers' airport experience, including smart wearable devices for visually impaired travelers and real-time mobile apps. Additionally, these improvements will address the needs of people with disabilities, seniors and those requiring assistance during airport transitions with services such as mobile units and dedicated staff to ensure faster wheelchair access and support.
This project has been launched under Spain’s obligation to respect and align with EU’s commitment to improved accessibility for disabled travelers across its territory. As part of the EU’s transport policies, Spain is committed to ensuring that airports meet the highest standards of accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility by 2030. This tender will play a crucial role in completing the EU’s accessibility goals and ensuring that airports are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and technologies that cater to the specific needs of PRM passengers.
By prioritizing inclusive mobility, Spain is leading the way in ensuring that travel is an enjoyable, accessible experience for everyone, regardless of ability or age.
Glossary
Accessibility: The proactive design of products, devices, services, or environments so that they are usable by people with disabilities through the removal of physical, digital, or systemic barriers.
Airport Accessibility: The extent to which the airport environment—including digital interfaces and physical infrastructure—allows travelers with disabilities to use services independently and with dignity.
Airport Facilities: The physical assets and specialized zones within an airport terminal, such as check-in desks, lounges, elevators, and accessible restrooms.
Airport Transitions: The process of moving between different stages of the air travel journey, such as moving from check-in to security, or from the departure gate onto the aircraft.
Disability: A long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairment which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder a person’s full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
Disparate: Essentially different in kind; entirely distinct or unequal. In policy discussions, it often describes the uneven levels of accessibility across different EU Member States—for example, the "disparate" quality of train assistance services between two neighboring countries.
Facilities: Physical buildings, equipment, or specialized installations provided for a particular purpose or to facilitate ease of use.
Harmonization: The process of making different laws, standards, or rules across various countries or regions consistent and compatible with one another.
Inclusive Mobility: A holistic approach to transport planning that ensures every individual, regardless of disability or age, has equal access to the entire transport chain.
Infrastructure: The fundamental physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society. In the context of disability rights, this includes transportation networks (train stations, bus stops), digital systems (high-speed internet, cellular networks), and public buildings (hospitals, schools) that must be designed to be accessible.
Legislative: Relating to the exercise of the power to make laws. In the EU, "legislative action" refers to the formal process of creating Directives (which countries must turn into national law) or Regulations (which apply directly to everyone immediately) to protect the rights of citizens.
Mental Disability: An umbrella term covering intellectual disabilities and psychosocial conditions that may affect how a person processes information, communicates, or manages emotions.
Mobility: The ability to move or be moved freely and easily; in a human rights context, it refers to the fundamental right to liberty of movement.
Mobility Services: Specific systems and support structures designed to assist movement, such as paratransit, shuttle services, or the provision of wheelchairs.
Overhaul: A thorough examination and comprehensive revision of a system, policy, or piece of infrastructure to improve its function or inclusivity.
People with Reduced Mobility (PRM): A legal and technical category for passengers whose mobility is limited due to physical disability, intellectual impairment, age, or any other cause when using transport.
Physical Disability: A limitation on a person's physical functioning, mobility, dexterity, or stamina, which may include challenges with walking or fine motor skills.
Reduced Mobility: A state in which a person’s capability to move is restricted, requiring the adaptation of services or special assistance to ensure equal access to environments like transport.
Smart Devices: Electronic gadgets (such as smartphones or sensors) that connect to networks to provide real-time data, often used to assist with navigation or communication for disabled users.
Tangible: Perceptible by touch; clear and definite; real. In advocacy, this is often used to distinguish between "promises on paper" and "tangible results"—such as an actual ramp being installed, a website becoming screen-reader friendly, or a physical European Disability Card being held in a user's hand.
Tender: A formal offer or bid submitted by a company to provide specific goods or services, such as a contract to manage disability assistance at a transport hub.
Visual Impairment: A decrease in the ability to see that cannot be fully corrected by usual means like glasses, ranging from low vision to total blindness.
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