Guides / Daily life / Accessibility
Services for people with disabilities in Qatar
Where people with disabilities and their families in Qatar get support: the disability parking permit, rehabilitation at PHCC and Hamad, assistive technology from Mada, support societies, accessible transport, rights under the 2025 disability law, and which services residents of any nationality can use.
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
- Main contact
- Yusr disability services platform (Ministry of Social Development and Family): 16080
- Parking permit
- MOI e-services (Traffic), free; needs a QID and a medical report
- Key law
- Law No. 22 of 2025 on Persons with Disabilities (in force 19 November 2025)
- Open to expats
- Parking permit, PHCC and HMC care, Mada, accessible transport, job programmes; most cash benefits are for Qataris
This guide is for people with disabilities living in Qatar and for the parents, spouses and carers who support them. Qatar has a new disability law (Law No. 22 of 2025), in force since November 2025, which replaced the old 2004 law and gives rights to accessibility, reasonable accommodation at work and in education, and protection from discrimination. Many services are open to all residents with a valid QID, whatever their nationality: the disabled parking permit, health and rehabilitation care at PHCC and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), assistive technology support from the Mada centre, accessible transport and job-matching programmes. Some benefits, such as the Ministry's disability certificate and social security payments, are currently limited to Qatari citizens. The usual order is: get a clear medical report, apply for the parking permit if you need it, use the health and rehabilitation pathway, then connect with Mada and the support societies. Schooling for children is covered in our separate special-needs schools guide.
Before you start
- A valid Qatar ID (QID) for the person with the disability, and your own QID if you apply on their behalf
- A valid health card so you can use PHCC health centres and Hamad hospitals
- A recent, detailed medical report from a doctor in Qatar that names the condition, says it is long-term and describes how it affects mobility or daily life
- Older medical records, test results and therapy reports from your home country (translated into English or Arabic if possible)
- Ministry of Interior (MOI) e-services login, through the National Authentication System (Tawtheeq) or Metrash
- A list of what you actually need help with: parking, a wheelchair or other device, therapy, school, a job, getting around
- For a child: school reports and any previous assessment (autism, learning difficulty, hearing or vision)
- Contact details of your employer's HR department if you will ask for adjustments at work
Step by step
Get a clear medical report
Almost every service starts with medical proof. Book an appointment at your PHCC health centre, explain the condition and ask for a referral to the right specialist at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) or Sidra Medicine for children. Ask the specialist for a detailed medical report that states the diagnosis, that it is long-term, and how it affects walking, seeing, hearing, learning or daily life. Bring any reports from your home country, because they can shorten the assessment. Keep several stamped copies and a PDF scan, as you will upload it more than once.
Read guide: Get your health card (now linked to your QID) →Contact Yusr, the disability services platform
Yusr (yusr.msdf.gov.qa) is the national platform for people with disabilities, run by the Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF) with the Mada centre. It lists services by category, including health, rehabilitation, education, jobs, transport and emergency lines, and links each one to the right government portal. You can call 16080 or email info@msdf.gov.qa to ask which services fit your situation. The Ministry's 'To whom it may concern' certificate stating the type of disability is currently for Qatari citizens only. The new law also promises a national disability ID card and database; at the time of writing the application process had not been announced, so ask on 16080 before assuming you need one.
Apply for the disabled parking permit
The parking permit lets a car carrying a person with a disability use the reserved bays, and it is issued by the General Directorate of Traffic at the Ministry of Interior. Apply online through MOI e-services (portal.moi.gov.qa) under the Traffic services section for parking for persons with disabilities; the service may also appear in the Metrash app. You can apply for yourself or for a family member by entering their QID. Upload the medical report and medical certificate, submit, and you will get an SMS when the permit is ready to collect. Reports from 2023 say the service is free and that you can track, renew or update the permit through the same service; if you prefer to go in person, the Traffic Department licensing office can help.
Read guide: Parking in Doha: paid zones, apps and parking fines →Use the permit the right way
Since 2024 the MOI issues permits in a new format; older permits stay valid until their expiry date. Display it clearly behind the front windscreen. The reserved bay may only be used when the permit holder is in the car, either driving or as a passenger. Misuse, such as a family member parking there alone, can lead to a traffic violation and the permit being withdrawn. If the permit is lost, tell the General Directorate of Traffic within 48 hours. A permit without the issuing authority's stamp is not valid.
Read guide: Traffic fines in Qatar: check, pay, object, and avoid the travel ban →Ask for fast-track care at your health centre
PHCC health centres offer a fast-track service for people with disabilities of all ages. When you arrive, go to the Hayyak customer service team and tell them you need the special needs service; they give you a priority queue number and help you through the visit. Some centres also have reserved parking (you need the MOI permit to use it) and sensory-friendly waiting areas for children. PHCC screens toddlers for autism at the 18 and 30 month well-baby visits and refers them on when needed. The PHCC hotline is 107.
Get rehabilitation through Hamad
The Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI) at Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City provides inpatient, day and outpatient rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Outpatient rehabilitation is reached either after a hospital stay or by referral from another facility, usually your PHCC doctor, so ask your GP for a referral rather than calling QRI directly. For children, HMC and Sidra Medicine run developmental and rehabilitation clinics, and Al Maha Pediatric Specialized Care Center in Al Wakra Hospital cares for children with complex needs. HMC's general number is 16060. Waiting lists can be long, so ask about private therapy centres in the meantime.
Get advice on assistive technology from Mada
Mada, the Qatar Assistive Technology Centre, helps people with disabilities and older people use technology for daily life, study and work. It offers assistive technology services and training, digital accessibility advice for organisations, and inclusive education and employment programmes. Examples include screen readers and magnifiers for people with low vision, communication devices, and tools for dyslexia. Contact Mada through its website (mada.org.qa) or on 4459 4050 to ask about an assessment and whether a fee applies to you. Mada also built Sokoon, a free Arabic sign language dictionary app.
Connect with support societies
Several organisations offer rehabilitation, activities and family support. The Qatar Society for Rehabilitation of Special Needs (QSRSN, 4404 1271) provides prosthetic devices, training for people with moderate to severe intellectual or multiple disabilities, and social and psychological support. The Qatar Autism Society (3364 9966 in English) supports autistic people and their families. The Qatar Institute for Speech and Hearing and private centres offer therapy, usually for a fee. Each body sets its own rules for non-Qataris, so ask directly about eligibility, waiting lists and costs.
Plan accessible transport
All 37 Doha Metro stations are step-free, with lifts, wheelchair spaces on trains and tactile paving for people with visual impairments; call 105 for help. Mowasalat (Karwa) runs wheelchair-accessible taxis that you can book on 800 8294 or through the Karwa app; book ahead because the fleet is small. Karwa public buses have low floors, a ramp and a wheelchair space. At Hamad International Airport, request wheelchair assistance through your airline before you fly, and on Qatar Airways use Manage booking.
Read guide: Taxis and ride-hailing in Qatar: Karwa, Uber and other licensed apps →Know your rights at work
Law No. 22 of 2025 bans disability discrimination in hiring and at work, in both the public and private sectors. Employers must make reasonable adjustments so you can do your job, such as accessible workspaces, adapted equipment or changed duties, and cannot cut your benefits because of your disability. The Council of Ministers is to set job quotas for people with disabilities; check whether the decision has been issued. Employees can complain to the Ministry of Social Development and Family. Jusour's Sahem programme (4401 1044) matches job seekers with disabilities, Qatari and non-Qatari residents, with private-sector jobs.
Read guide: Finding a job in Qatar: where to look and how hiring works →Arrange schooling for a child
Children with disabilities have a right to education suited to their abilities. Government schools serve mainly Qatari children, with places for some non-Qataris, and the Ministry of Education offers education vouchers and transport services for some students with disabilities. Most expat families use private schools with learning support units or specialist centres, and fees are usually higher than the standard tuition. Our separate guide covers assessments, schools and costs in detail.
Read guide: Special needs schooling in Qatar: assessments, inclusion and specialist schools →Save the emergency numbers
In an emergency call 999 for police, ambulance or fire. Deaf and hard-of-hearing people can use 992, a dedicated emergency line that supports sign language. Save these numbers in the phone of the person with a disability and anyone who cares for them. Keep a short medical summary, including the condition, medicines and allergies, in their wallet or phone, and register the national address of your home so responders can find you.
Read guide: Emergencies in Qatar: who to call and where to go →
What it costs
| Disabled parking permit (MOI) | Free (no fee reported; check when you apply) |
| Traffic fine for parking in a disabled bay without the permit holder | QAR 1,000 (reported by Gulf Times; check the current amount) |
| Fine for disability discrimination by an employer under Law 22 of 2025 | Up to QAR 50,000 |
Official fees at the time of review. Fees change, so confirm before paying.
Common mistakes
- Applying for the parking permit without a detailed medical report; a short sick note is usually not enough.
- Letting relatives use the disabled bay when the permit holder is not in the car; this can cost a fine and the permit.
- Waiting for the new national disability ID card before applying for other services; most services work with your QID and medical report today.
- Calling QRI directly instead of asking your PHCC doctor for a referral, which is the normal route in.
- Assuming every benefit applies to expats; check eligibility before you rely on social security, certificates or government school places.
- Not telling your employer in writing what adjustments you need; under the new law a clear written request helps if you later need to complain.
- Booking an accessible Karwa taxi at the last minute; the fleet is small, so book early.
Questions people ask
Can expats get a disabled parking permit in Qatar?
Yes. The permit is applied for with a QID and a medical report through MOI e-services, and the official process does not limit it to Qataris. You can apply for yourself or for a family member who lives with you. If your application is rejected, you can correct it and apply again.
Is there a disability card in Qatar, and how do I get one?
Law No. 22 of 2025 says the authorities will issue identification cards for people with disabilities and build a national database. At the time of writing the application process had not been published. The Ministry's existing 'To whom it may concern' disability certificate is for Qatari citizens. Call Yusr on 16080 for the latest position.
What does the new 2025 disability law change?
It replaced Law No. 2 of 2004 and took effect on 19 November 2025. It bans discrimination, requires reasonable accommodation at work and in education, requires physical and digital accessibility (including at banks), plans job quotas and exempts assistive devices and adapted cars from some taxes and fees. Executive regulations will fill in the details.
Can I use the disabled bay if I drop off my disabled parent and then park?
No. The bay may be used only while the permit holder is in the vehicle. Drop-offs are allowed, but if you leave the car parked there after they have left, you risk a violation and losing the permit.
Do expats get free rehabilitation or therapy?
Residents with a health card can use PHCC and HMC services, including rehabilitation by referral, at public-sector rates; many services for residents are low cost, but some carry fees. Specialist private therapy, such as many autism and speech programmes, is paid and can be expensive. Check whether your employer's health insurance covers therapy.
Is the Doha Metro accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes. All stations have lifts and step-free access, and trains have wheelchair spaces. Staff can help you board; call 105 for travel help. For door-to-door trips, book a Karwa accessible taxi on 800 8294.
Can a person with a disability work in Qatar, and does the employer have to adapt the job?
Yes. The new law requires employers in all sectors to give equal opportunities and make reasonable adjustments, and it bans reducing benefits because of a disability. Jusour's Sahem programme helps job seekers with disabilities, including non-Qatari residents, find private-sector jobs. Your visa and work permit rules are the same as for any other worker.
Are there discounts for people with disabilities?
There is no general national discount scheme. On Purple Saturday, the last Saturday of July, participating shops, hotels and attractions offer discounts and priority service to people with disabilities. Some venues offer free entry or priority access all year, so it is worth asking.
Official sources
- MSDF: Law No. 22 of 2025 on Persons with Disabilities ↗
- Yusr: national services platform for persons with disabilities ↗
- Al Tamimi: employment provisions of the 2025 disability law ↗
- The Peninsula: new format of the disability parking permit (2024) ↗
- Hamad Medical Corporation: rehabilitation services ↗
- Marhaba: accessible travel and transportation in Qatar ↗
Always check the official source before acting. QatarSteps is independent and not a government website.