Behindertenpass in Austria: Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply

If you live in Austria or regularly spend time there and have a long-term health-related limitation, the Behindertenpass may be relevant to you. This photo ID provides standardised proof of disability throughout Austria and can provide access to certain discounts.

In brief

• The Behindertenpass is a photo ID in bank card format and is issued in German.
• It is available when the degree of disability (Grad der Behinderung) is at least 50 percent.
• The pass itself does not provide entitlement to financial benefits.
• A degree of disability of at least 70 percent gives entitlement to a 50 percent fare discount with ÖBB.
• If an application is rejected, a complaint can be filed with the Bundesverwaltungsgericht within six weeks.

What is the Behindertenpass?

The Behindertenpass is a photo identity document that provides standardised proof throughout Austria that a person lives with a disability. It can cover physical, sensory or other types of disability.

The document is issued in German as a bank card-sized card. If you previously received a pass for an unlimited period that is not in card format, it remains valid.

It is important not to confuse the Behindertenpass with the status of a begünstigte Behinderte. The pass does not confirm that the holder belongs to this separate category.

Who can receive the pass?

Two basic conditions must be met:

1. Your usual place of residence or residence is in Austria.
2. Your degree of disability, or your reduction in earning capacity (Minderung der Erwerbsfähigkeit), is at least 50 percent.

The following people may fall within this group:

• people with the status of begünstigte Behinderte,
• people receiving Pflegegeld or a similar benefit under federal legislation,
• people receiving erhöhte Familienbeihilfe,
• people receiving financial benefits because of invalidity, occupational incapacity, inability to perform their duties or long-term incapacity for work.

People whose residence is outside Austria may also apply if they regularly spend time in Austria because of work or private circumstances.

What benefits does it provide?

The Behindertenpass does not automatically provide financial support. Presenting it may, however, give access to discounts, for example at various events.

• At least 50 percent: eligibility for the Behindertenpass and discounts where the pass is accepted, such as at events.
• At least 70 percent: a 50 percent fare discount with the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB).

Provincial passes and local discounts

Some provinces issue their own disability passes or offer discounts on local and regional transport services. To find out what is available in your province, contact the relevant provincial office of the Sozialministeriumservice (SMS) or the provincial government.

Vienna also has the Mobilpass, previously called the Sozialpass. It is issued, for example, to people receiving social assistance, rent support or a minimum pension. Among other benefits, it provides discounts on Wiener Linien services, in city libraries and at swimming pools.

Related exemptions for people on low incomes

These exemptions are linked to low income rather than to the Behindertenpass itself, but they may also be relevant to people with disabilities.

• Prescription charges (Rezeptgebühr) and the e-card service fee (Serviceentgelt): an exemption can be requested from the responsible health insurance provider.
• ORF contribution (ORF-Beitrag): an exemption can be requested. This is also linked to the social electricity tariff (Strom-Sozialtarif), the telephone allowance and an exemption from EAG costs.

Families raising a child with a disability may also need to consider free voluntary insurance in pension insurance, extraordinary expenses in income tax, a tax allowance for the additional costs of a child with a disability and an exemption from motor vehicle tax.

Where and how to apply

The responsible authority is the Sozialministeriumservice (SMS) provincial office (Landesstelle des Sozialministeriumservice).

Your application should include:

• the application for the issue of a Behindertenpass (Antrag auf Ausstellung des Behindertenpasses),
• a photograph meeting passport-photo requirements, unless a suitable photograph is already available in the existing records,
• official decisions, judgments or detailed medical documentation, such as medical history and test results.

You can also request additional entries (Zusatzeintragungen) with the application. Forms are available in German, English and French.

How is the degree of disability assessed?

If you do not already have an official decision, court decision or judgment establishing your degree of disability, a doctor from the SMS will assess your condition.

Where possible, no personal examination is held. The decision is based on the medical reports and expert opinions submitted, applying the assessment regulation (Einschätzungsverordnung). It is therefore particularly important to provide detailed and up-to-date medical records.

What if the application is rejected?

If the SMS issues a rejection, you can file a complaint (Beschwerde) with the Bundesverwaltungsgericht within six weeks of delivery of the decision. The relevant rules are contained in sections 40 to 47 of the Federal Disability Act (Bundesbehindertengesetz, BBG).

Frequently asked questions

Do I receive money with the Behindertenpass?

No. The pass itself does not provide entitlement to any financial benefit. It confirms the disability and can help you access discounts.

Can I apply if I live outside Austria but work in Austria?

Yes. People whose residence is abroad may also apply if they regularly spend time in Austria because of work or private circumstances.

Is an old paper-based pass still valid?

Yes, if it was issued for an unlimited period, it remains valid even if it is not in card format.

What degree of disability is required for the ÖBB discount?

At least 70 percent. This provides a 50 percent fare discount on ÖBB services.

Practical steps

1. Check whether your residence or regular presence in Austria and your degree of disability meet the basic conditions.
2. Collect current medical reports, medical history, test results and any relevant official decisions or judgments.
3. Obtain and complete the Antrag auf Ausstellung des Behindertenpasses.
4. Submit the application and photograph to the relevant Landesstelle des Sozialministeriumservice.
5. Ask about Zusatzeintragungen and provincial or local discounts that may apply to you.
6. If the application is rejected, note the delivery date and submit a Beschwerde to the Bundesverwaltungsgericht within six weeks.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at

This article is based on publicly available information and is not legal, medical or other professional advice. Use the information at your own responsibility and seek professional advice where necessary.