Annual pass for the visually and hearing-impaired continues to be gratis, based on media accounts.
In a significant development, Vienna has announced the introduction of a new "Special Annual Pass" for people with disabilities, effective from 1 January 2026. This pass will be available to those with an Austrian disability pass and a disability degree of 70% or more.
Until now, reimbursement of travel costs for the annual pass and the subsidy for the climate ticket by the Social Fund Vienna (FSW) were only available to severely visually impaired, blind, and deaf people. However, starting from 3 November 2025, this privilege will be extended to a larger group.
Around 26,600 Vienna residents will be eligible to purchase the "Special Annual Pass," marking a significant expansion in the provision of affordable mobility for people with disabilities. The outcry against the initial plan, which proposed affected individuals to pay a discounted annual pass fee of 300 euros, was loud.
The Greens' party leader, Judith Pühringer, has criticized a lack of planning in the decision-making process, suggesting that the city finance councilor may have acted impulsively, causing issues that the mayor, Michael Ludwig (SPO), then needs to address. The Greens have also expressed concerns over the significant increase in the 365-euro public transport ticket, which affects the majority of Vienna residents.
Despite these criticisms, the Greens welcome the retention of free travel for blind and visually impaired people. The Austrian Disability Council has explicitly welcomed this decision, as there was previously no discount for people with disabilities.
However, it is not clear whether the 'Special Annual Pass' will have the same benefits as the free annual pass for severely visually impaired, blind, and deaf people. It is also not specified whether there will be any changes to the funding of public transport for people with disabilities in the future.
In a positive turn of events, Michael Ludwig announced on Friday that the free annual pass for severely visually impaired, blind, and deaf people will remain. He also plans to expand the offer with a 'Special Annual Pass' for more people with disabilities to benefit from affordable mobility. Whether the 'Special Annual Pass' will have a reimbursement of travel costs and climate ticket subsidy remains uncertain.
The name of the finance official who initiated the decision process to abolish the free annual transport card for visually impaired, blind, and deaf people has not been publicly disclosed. This decision comes as part of a broader review of the funding of public transport for people with disabilities in Vienna.
