Travellers heading to Spain and the Canary Islands are being advised to check the official Aena Invisible Disabilities Badge system before they fly, especially if they previously relied on the Sunflower Lanyard to show that they may need extra time, understanding or support at the airport.
The issue has become an important travel topic for passengers flying to and from popular Spanish airports including Lanzarote Airport, Tenerife South, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Alicante, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Madrid and Barcelona.
In a new TravelON World video, Mr TravelON shows viewers in real time how to fill in the official Aena form, what information is needed, and why passengers should complete the process honestly before arriving at the airport.
Official form: Travellers can request the Aena Invisible Disabilities Badge through the official Aena portal here: Aena Invisible Disabilities Badge Form.
Watch: How To Fill In The Aena Invisible Disabilities Badge Form
In the video below, Mr TravelON walks through the Aena form step by step and explains what travellers need to know before flying through Spanish airports.
What We Know
Key points for travellers
- Aena has an official Invisible Disabilities Badge for passengers using selected Spanish airports.
- The badge is designed to help airport staff identify travellers who may need support, patience or extra time.
- The badge may allow access to family and PRM security channels where these are available.
- The Sunflower Lanyard may still help signal a hidden disability, but Aena’s own badge is now the official airport-specific system for this support.
- The badge is not fast track, not VIP access and does not remove normal airport security procedures.
- Travellers should use the official Aena form and only apply if they genuinely need this support.
What Is The Aena Invisible Disabilities Badge?
The Aena Invisible Disabilities Badge is an official identification badge created for passengers with hidden or non-visible disabilities who may find the airport experience difficult, stressful or overwhelming.
Airports can be challenging environments. They are often crowded, noisy, brightly lit and full of queues, announcements, security checks and unexpected changes. For some passengers, this can create real distress before they even board the aircraft.
The Aena badge is intended to help airport staff recognise that a traveller may need additional understanding, support, patience or time during their journey through the airport.
According to Aena, showing the badge can help passengers access the security checkpoint used by families and people with reduced mobility where that facility exists. Where there is no specific family or PRM security channel, access through the general security checkpoint may be made easier where possible.
Is The Sunflower Lanyard Still Recognised In Spain?
This is where many travellers are understandably confused.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard is widely known in the UK and many other countries as a voluntary way for people to show that they have a hidden disability or may need extra help, understanding or time.
However, at Aena airports in Spain, the Sunflower Lanyard alone should not be treated as automatic access to the family or PRM security channel. Aena has its own official system, and travellers who need this airport-specific support should apply for the Aena Invisible Disabilities Badge before they fly.
That does not mean the Sunflower Lanyard has no meaning. It may still help communicate that someone has a hidden disability. But for access to Aena’s dedicated airport support route, the official Aena badge is the important document travellers should now have ready.
Which Spanish Airports Use The Aena Invisible Disabilities Badge?
The Aena Invisible Disabilities Badge is available at a number of major Spanish airports, including several that are extremely important for British and Irish holidaymakers.
For Canary Islands travellers, this includes:
- César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport
- Fuerteventura Airport
- Gran Canaria Airport
- Tenerife South Airport
- Tenerife North-Ciudad de La Laguna Airport
Other major Spanish airports listed by Aena include:
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
- Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat
- Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández
- Málaga-Costa del Sol
- Palma de Mallorca
- Ibiza
- Menorca
- Bilbao
- Sevilla
- Santiago-Rosalía de Castro
- Girona-Costa Brava
- Reus
- Región de Murcia International Airport
Travellers should always check the official Aena website before flying, as airport services and procedures can change.
Who Is The Invisible Disabilities Badge For?
The badge is for passengers with a genuine hidden or invisible disability who may need additional support, more time or greater understanding when moving through the airport.
An invisible disability is a condition that may not be immediately obvious to other people. Someone may look completely fine from the outside but still experience serious difficulty with noise, crowds, communication, mobility, pain, stress, sensory overload or changes to routine.
Examples of invisible disabilities and conditions can include, but are not limited to:
- Autism spectrum conditions
- ADHD
- Anxiety disorders
- Panic disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Dementia or memory-related conditions
- Learning disabilities
- Epilepsy
- Chronic pain conditions
- Fibromyalgia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome where symptoms are severe
- Diabetes
- Hearing impairments
- Visual impairments that may not be immediately obvious
- Severe sensory processing difficulties
- Mental health conditions that significantly affect travel
- Medical conditions requiring additional time, planning or support
This list is not exhaustive. The key point is whether the passenger genuinely needs extra understanding or support because of a non-visible condition.
What Does The Aena Badge Actually Do?
The Aena badge is designed to make the airport journey easier for passengers who genuinely need support. It helps airport staff identify that the passenger may require extra patience, clearer communication or more time.
Depending on the airport and facilities available, it may help passengers use the security channel for families and people with reduced mobility. If that specific route is not available, the airport may try to make access through the general security process easier where possible.
For many passengers and families, this could make a major difference. Airport security can be one of the most stressful parts of travel, especially for people who struggle with queues, noise, pressure, instructions, bright lights or unfamiliar environments.
What The Badge Does Not Do
It is also important to be clear about what the badge does not do.
The Aena Invisible Disabilities Badge is not fast track. It is not VIP treatment. It does not mean passengers can skip security, avoid airport rules or ignore normal travel procedures.
It also does not replace formal assistance services for passengers with reduced mobility or passengers who need more structured airport help. If a traveller needs wheelchair assistance, mobility support or help getting to the aircraft, they should still request the appropriate PRM or airport assistance service through their airline or tour operator in advance.
The badge is about recognition, understanding and support. It is not a shortcut.
Why Has Aena Introduced Its Own Form?
One of the reasons this topic has created discussion is because the Sunflower Lanyard has been very easy to obtain. For many genuine travellers, that has been a positive thing because it allows people to discreetly show they may need help without having to explain their condition repeatedly.
However, there have also been concerns that some people may use hidden disability schemes for the wrong reasons, especially if they believe it could get them through queues faster or give them special treatment at busy airports.
The Aena form appears to create a more accountable system. It is still designed to be simple and accessible, but passengers are asked to provide real travel and identification details and confirm that the information they enter is true.
Mr TravelON says this is an important distinction. Genuine travellers should not be worried by the form. In fact, a clearer system may help protect the people who really do need support.
Do You Need A Passport Number For The Aena Invisible Disabilities Form?
When completing the official Aena form, travellers may be asked for personal identification and travel information. This can include details such as the airport, travel date and identity document information.
This is one of the reasons passengers should only use the official Aena website and should not enter personal details into unofficial third-party pages.
The official form can be found here: https://tramitesyreclamaciones.aena.es/distintivo_di/
Could There Be Consequences For Lying On The Form?
This is an important question, and it should be handled carefully.
TravelON World is not giving legal advice. However, this is an official airport system. Passengers are entering personal details and confirming that the information they provide is true.
If someone knowingly provides false information, the immediate risk could be that the badge is refused, cancelled or not accepted at the airport. In wider terms, providing false information in an official process can potentially have consequences depending on the circumstances.
The honest advice is simple: if you genuinely need the support, apply for it. If you do not genuinely need it, do not use it.
This system should be there to help people who really need it, not to create a shortcut for travellers who simply want to avoid a queue.
How Long Is The Aena Invisible Disabilities Badge Valid For?
The badge is linked to a specific journey and travel date. Travellers should not assume that one badge will cover every future trip through Spain.
If you are travelling again on a different date, you should check the Aena process and apply again where necessary.
Passengers should have the badge ready before arriving at the airport. It may be shown digitally on a mobile phone or printed, depending on what is easiest for the traveller or family.
Does Everyone In The Family Need A Badge?
Aena guidance indicates that only one person in a travelling family or group needs to carry the badge when the support is required for that passenger.
This is particularly important for families travelling with children or adults who may struggle with the airport environment but are travelling as part of a group.
However, travellers should always use the system responsibly and only request the badge for a genuine need.
Advice For Travellers Flying To Spain Or The Canary Islands
If you are travelling to Spain, Lanzarote, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura or any other Aena airport and you or someone in your party has an invisible disability, the best advice is to prepare before travel day.
- Complete the official Aena form before you fly.
- Use the official Aena website, not third-party pages.
- Have the badge available on your phone or printed.
- Arrive at the airport with enough time.
- Do not assume the Sunflower Lanyard alone will give access to the family or PRM security channel.
- If you need formal assistance, request PRM or airline assistance separately in advance.
- Be honest when completing the form.
What This Means For Holidaymakers
For genuine travellers with hidden disabilities, this change should not be seen as a reason to panic. The form appears to be straightforward, and Mr TravelON’s video guide is designed to show passengers exactly how it works before they travel.
The bigger message is preparation. Airport systems are changing, and travellers need to know what documents, forms or support services are required before arriving at check-in or security.
For families travelling with children who have autism, sensory needs, anxiety or other hidden disabilities, this could help reduce stress and uncertainty at the airport. For adults with non-visible conditions, it may also provide a clearer way to ask for understanding without having to explain personal medical details repeatedly in a busy terminal.
At the same time, the scheme depends on honesty. If people use it when they do not genuinely need it, it risks damaging the system for those who rely on it most.
Mr TravelON: Honest Travel Advice From The Ground
Mr TravelON says the subject should be discussed honestly and fairly.
“The Sunflower Lanyard has helped a lot of genuine travellers, but because it is so easy to get, some people may have used it for the wrong reason. The Aena form looks simple, but it asks for real details and you confirm what you enter is true. If you genuinely need it, use it. If you do not, leave it for the people who really do.”
This is not about making travel harder for people with invisible disabilities. It is about making the system clearer, fairer and more reliable for passengers who genuinely need help when travelling through Spanish airports.
Official Aena Invisible Disabilities Badge Form
Travellers can apply for the badge through Aena’s official form below:
Apply for the Aena Invisible Disabilities Badge here
Passengers can also read Aena’s official information about invisible disabilities and airport support on the Aena website:
Related TravelON World Stories
For more airport and Spain travel updates, read these related TravelON World reports:
