ACCESS & SOLUTIONS
The European Guide Dog Federation is committed to promoting the mobility, independence, and inclusion of guide and assistance dog users across Europe.
We act as an advocate of guide and assistance dog users to provide input to EU standards, that shapes training practices, ensuring excellence and consistency in guide dog services.
Our mission fosters a supportive environment enhancing the well-being of both guide and assistance dogs and their users.
When it’s difficult to recognise a genuine assistance dog, people who truly rely on them can often lose their freedom
All over Europe, disabled people are dependent on trained guide & assistance dogs to live, travel, and work independently. But that freedom is being undermined by confusion.
The challenge of recognising a legitimate assistance dog leaves staff unsure who to trust — and genuine users wrongly refused entry or travel.
The Problem
There is no single European system to recognise trained assistance dogs
Comfort Animals Have Restricted Access
Comfort animals are not trained to the rigorous standards of assistance dogs and don’t enjoy the same legal rights of access
Untrained Pets Posing as Assistance Dogs
This undermines the reputation of legitimate guide and assistance dogs — and the disabled people who depend on them.
Fear of Getting It Wrong
Frontline staff are uncertain who to admit, fearing mistakes or complaints
Refusals and Loss of Independence
Assistance dog users are facing refusals, embarrassment, and loss of independence
The Solution
EGDF is developing a trusted European verification and education platform to:
Reliable Assistance Dog Verification
Confirm genuine assistance dogs quickly and reliably
Equipping Staff with Practical Tools
Provide clear, practical staff training and guidance
Aligning Access Standards Across Europe
Support governments in aligning access standards across Europe
How You Can Help
Governments
- Recognise verified assistance dog standards in national and European policy
- Align legislation and guidance to support consistent recognition
Businesses
- Support development of the verification and education platform
- Take part in early implementation and rollout across retail, hospitality, and travel sectors
Travelling to Europe with a guide dog
It shouldn’t be complicated — but often it is.
Understanding Your Access Rights
Entry requirements vary depending on where you are travelling from.
Access rules differ between countries — and are not always applied consistently.
We bring together key information from across Europe to help you understand what to expect and where to find the right support.
Latest News
Assistance Dog Verification: Finding a Fairer Approach
A recent UK dispute has highlighted a wider question for assistance dog access: how can legitimate partnerships be recognised fairly without restricting recognition to particular training organisations?
Turning Access Refusals into Action: OBAC and Uber
A new partnership between ANM’Chiens’ OBAC and Uber shows how evidence from access refusals can be turned into practical action to improve travel for guide and assistance dog users.
When Guide Dog Access Is Refused: Are We Reporting IT?
Legal rights do not always guarantee access in practice. An Australian guide dog user has been awarded compensation after being refused accommodation because of her guide dog – highlighting why stronger awareness, enforcement and evidence of access refusals continue to matter.