I am on Social Security Disability. By definition my spouse & I qualify for the reduced price of 4Euros per ticket entrance fee (it allows the disabled person plus one other person accompanying me). The proof I have is my Medicare Card I carry with me and a local Sacramento transit Disabled Card. Will that be enough proof for this discount? I am about to purchase my tickets online as you have suggested but did not want to arrive at the museum only to be turned away. I had also heard that disabled ticket holders can skip the lines, it that also true? If this is not sufficient documentation, is there a document I can get from my doctor that will be honored in Italy? Nick
Posted by
seattle
2147 posts
I travel with a wheelchair and disabled pass and have been very pleased to get into all Italian (and most other EU country) national museums for free. But I'm not sure if you just have a disability card. Hopefully, someone else will write whi has more info.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you Becky. My disability is not as obvious as your situation. Standing & leg problems are my biggest struggle. I am not seeing any site for USA's to get a disabled card. I do not have need of the parking placard. Nick
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
I believe you must be an EU Citizens to get the free access. I know for Rome this is the case. Bring what you have, but don't count on being allowed inside for free. If it happens, great, if not, you haven't lost anything.
You certainly don't qualify for the reduced fee. That is specifically for EU Citizens between 18-25 with proof of citizenship.
Donna
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16695 posts
Nick, it's hard to say whether you'll qualify or not. On one hand, the b-ticket website (official ticketing broker for Florence State museums) says this:
"Persons with disabilities are entitled by law to free priority access to all State Museums of Florence for themselves and for a companion, if so specified in the disability certificate. Simply go to the museum you wish to visit and the reception staff will handle all your needs. Please note that the State Museums of Florence can offer you temporary use of a wheelchair free-of-charge against deposit of a valid identity document."
There's no mention of needing to be an EU citizen. But the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism's website (http://www.uffizi.it/index.php?en/235/free-admission) states this under free-entry requirements for the Uffizi:
"For EU citizens with disabilities and a relative or other accompanying person upon presentation of document certifying his professional status in health and social care services."
The Sage Traveling website (which has a good reputation) states this on a page for Florence (http://www.sagetraveling.com/florence-disabled-access):
"Free admission at the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia – The two most popular museums in Florence, the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia (which houses Michelangelo’s David) provide free admission to a disabled guest and one companion. When you make your reservation be sure to mention that you are disabled."
And one RS poster has this to say a couple of years ago (https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/american-disability):
"A few years ago I was in Florence, Rome and parts south. I found it difficult to get info before hand but this is what happened. In Florence I went to the tourist office near the Duomo where I found I was eligible with my USA parking placard to go to the head of the line, enter any state owned site free and also free for my companion. Public transportation was also free. The same for Rome but not the transportation, so I think the site benefits are throughout the country. I also parked for free, having asked a few times and taking it from there with no trouble."
Even though you won't be driving, I'd bring your handicapped parking placard along with your other medical documents. Make pre-reservations at the bigger museums, and state that you are disabled. Also request a wheelchair upon arrival. As you say, your particular disability is not obvious but if you have trouble standing for any length of time, you will need one inside the museums: they involve considerable time on one's feet.
No promises that any of this will work but if any of it increases your chances....
You might also just CALL the Uffizi (+39) 055294883) and/or other State museums to see what they suggest?
Posted by
Coeur d'Alene
378 posts
My husband is visually impaired and uses a guide dog. we were able to get in museums in Italy for free and skip the line. It was not limited to EU or Italian citizens. However we had to get the ticket at the ticket office at the museum because they had to see we qualified. We were unable to get the ticket online.
While your disability is not as obvious as my husband's, your Sacramento disabled card for transportation should be sufficient. At the Vatican, to allow his guide dog in he simply showed his ID card from Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Before our trip I emailed the various museums to make sure all we had to do was go around the lines and head straight to the ticket office and that is what they told me to do. You may want to email, explain your circumstances, tell them what you have to show you are disabled and see what they say. I found the museums very responsive to email.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16695 posts
Before our trip I emailed the various museums to make sure all we had
to do was go around the lines and head straight to the ticket office
and that is what they told me to do
Excellent news, jvb!!
Posted by
3 posts
Thank you for bringing up this topic and for the advice to email directly! In all of my reading I had seen mention of free admission for disabled persons but didn't know how it worked. My daughter receives disability benefits due to cerebral palsy and epilepsy but does not require a wheelchair. I will email to find out what documentation is required. Free museum admission and/or public transportation would make a huge difference for our "trip of a lifetime" on an extremely limited budget!