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Zaragoza wins 2026 Access City Award for leading the way in accessibility for persons with disabilities
Zaragoza (Spain) won the 2026 Access City Award, for its outstanding efforts to making the city accessible for persons with disabilities. The city takes a rights-based approach, grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Its accessibility infrastructure is composed of comprehensive municipal accessibility rules, a clear strategic plan with targets, timelines, and budget, and strong governance through a dedicated Accessibility Office and a formal Accessibility Board.
Zaragoza is also leading on ensuring full participation of persons with disabilities in society, with accessible public transport, public spaces, and digital services. For example, it has a fully accessible tram network, extensive step-free pedestrian routes, inclusive banking and shopping initiatives, and certified accessible websites and apps have significantly contributed to making Zaragoza more accessible and inclusive for persons with disabilities. Housing is a particular strength, with initiatives such as the Flumen project providing inclusive, accessible homes that promote independent living and social inclusion.
Valencia (Spain) received the second prize for its city-wide, data-driven approach to accessibility. The city achieved exemplary transport and urban access, reporting 96% urban accessibility and a fully accessible bus and metro network. Persons with disabilities are employed as accessibility validators, and organisations systematically test solutions before launch.
This city was also awarded a Special Mention on Accessibility in Emergency Preparedness for embedding accessibility in emergency planning through co-designing emergency protocols and drills with organisations of persons with disabilities, trainings for firefighters, police and municipal staff, and an Inclusive Emergency Alert System.
The city of Rennes (France) won the third prize for significant progress made on accessibility thanks to close coordination among municipality services. Metro and buses are fully accessible, supported by door-to-door vehicles and apps for step-free travel. Streets have been upgraded with wider pavements, safer crossings, tactile strips, benches, and accessible toilets, while cultural venues such as the Jeu de Paume and the city arts school now feature ramps, lifts, adapted toilets, and high-contrast stair nosing. 68% of municipal sites are accessible, and a Scheduled Accessibility Agenda will bring all public reception buildings into compliance by 2027.
Salzburg (Austria) received a Special Mention for Accessibility in Housing for its structural approach to embed accessibility in housing, including new social housing and building renovations, supported by the Disability Advisory Council. This is enhanced by a free advisory service for accessible planning and housing that any resident, association, planner, architect or construction company can use. Housing allocation guidelines address the needs of persons with disabilities, with priority access to accessible dwellings in urgent cases.
Piacenza (Italy) also received a Special Mention on Information and Communications Technology for an inclusive, technology-led approach to accessibility. Piacenza uses mapping and data analysis technology to map more than 3 000 accessibility issues, guiding targeted upgrades across streets and buildings. A municipal virtual assistant and facilitation points simplify access to services.
Background
More than 90 million people in the EU have a disability, according to Eurostat. Accessible spaces, both physical and digital, are a crucial first step towards achieving equality. Accessing transport, public buildings, shops, parks, or websites on an equal basis with others, is essential for persons with disabilities to make their own choices and take control of their lives.
Since 2010, the Access City Award celebrates cities that make accessibility their priority. The Award Ceremony is celebrated as part of the European Day of Persons with Disabilities, a landmark event uniting policymakers, organisations, and persons with disabilities to advance disability inclusion and equality across Europe. The Award is also part of the Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 that aims to build a Europe without barriers.
This year, 51 candidate cities applied for the award. Among those, 18 were pre-selected by national juries. The five finalist cities were then shortlisted by the EU jury.
1st prize winners of the previous awards: 2025, Vienna (Austria); 2024, San Cristóbal de La Laguna (Spain); 2023, Skellefteå (Sweden); 2022, Luxembourg City (Luxembourg); 2021, Jönköping (Sweden); 2020, Warsaw (Poland); 2019, Breda (The Netherlands); 2018, Lyon (France); 2017, Chester (United Kingdom); 2016, Milan (Italy); 2015, Borås (Sweden); 2014, Gothenburg (Sweden); 2013, Berlin (Germany); 2012, Salzburg (Austria); 2011, Ávila (Spain).
Commissioner for Intergenerational fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, presented the 1st award prize to the city of Zaragoza this morning at the Award ceremony. Commissioner for Equality; Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, opened the European Day of Persons with Disabilities Conference 2025 organised by the Commission and the European Disability Forum. She delivered a keynote speech gathering reflections on what the EU has achieved and the way ahead to ensure autonomy, inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities across the EU and beyond.
More information
Access City Award - European Commission
Union of equality: Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030
European Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025 - European Commission
Access City Award: List of winners - European Commission