Using Accessible Toilets Around Europe: What I Learned on the Road

Travelling around Europe is always exciting — new food, new cultures, new cities. But if you rely on accessible toilets, part of your planning inevitably revolves around the simple question: “Will I be able to find a toilet in Europe when I need one?” Over the years, I’ve picked up some wonderful lessons about the different systems across Europe. From the trusty UK RADAR key to futuristic Parisian Sanisettes, here’s my take on what works, what doesn’t, and how to make your trip less stressful.

Why I Never Leave Without My RADAR Key

If you live in the UK, you probably already know the RADAR key. It’s a small silver key that opens more than 10,000 accessible toilets across Britain. At first, I thought it was just another gadget, but honestly, I wouldn’t travel without it now.

I’ve been caught out before — standing in front of a locked toilet at a railway station, only to realise I’d left my RADAR key at home. Never again. Having it in my pocket gives me peace of mind, and the toilets are generally cleaner and safer because they’re not open to everyone.

You can buy one easily online from Disability Rights UK or from local councils and mobility shops. Once you have it, it’s yours forever. And the bonus? It also works in Ireland.

Ireland

Ireland was the first place outside the UK where I tried my RADAR key, and it worked perfectly in Dublin’s main train station. Many public toilets there, especially in transport hubs and shopping centres, are fitted with RADAR locks. If you’re travelling around Ireland, take your key with you — it saves a lot of hassle.

Germany and the Eurokey

When I first went to Germany, I discovered the Eurokey system. This little gold key feels like a VIP pass. It doesn’t just open toilets — it unlocks lifts, changing facilities, and sometimes even barrier-free entrances.

Driving on the German motorways, I noticed almost every rest stop had a Eurokey-locked toilet. It was such a relief to know I didn’t have to hunt down a member of staff to get access. Big train stations in Berlin and Munich also had them, which made life so much easier when travelling with luggage.

To get one, you apply through CBF Darmstadt, a German disability organisation. They’ll post the key to you, and it works in several countries, not just Germany.

Austria

Austria runs on the Eurokey system too. I remember needing a toilet in Vienna after a long day of sightseeing, and the Eurokey worked instantly at a public loo in the city centre. The same was true at a motorway stop between Salzburg and Innsbruck. If you already have the Eurokey from Germany or Switzerland, it’ll work here seamlessly.

Switzerland

Switzerland is another Eurokey country, and this was where I really appreciated it. In some of the smaller Alpine towns, there wasn’t always staff around to help. Having the key meant I could just get on with my day without the stress of “what if it’s locked?”

Swiss toilets are generally very clean and well-maintained, and the Eurokey made accessing them straightforward. If you haven’t got one already, Swiss disability organisations can provide them, or you can order through the German CBF site.

France and the Sanisettes

France doesn’t use the RADAR or Eurokey systems, but it does have one of the most unusual solutions I’ve come across: the Sanisette. If you’ve been to Paris, you’ll have seen these grey, pod-like toilets dotted around the city.

The first time I used one, I was a bit nervous — the whole “self-cleaning” thing sounded too futuristic. But it worked surprisingly well. The accessible versions are bigger, free to use, and you don’t need a key. Just press the button and the door slides open.

Outside Paris, toilets in France are more variable. In shopping centres and train stations, they’re usually accessible, though sometimes locked and opened by staff. In smaller towns, it can be harder, so I’d always recommend checking ahead.

Italy

Italy was a mixed experience for me. In the north, especially around Milan, I could use the Eurokey at motorway service stations, which was brilliant on long drives. In Rome, Venice, and Florence, I found accessible toilets in big tourist attractions and transport hubs, but they weren’t always easy to find, and sometimes I had to ask staff to unlock them.

If you have a Eurokey, definitely bring it with you, because it will work in certain places. But be prepared that in some regions, it’s still a bit of a lottery.

Norway

Norway doesn’t have a key scheme, but I was pleasantly surprised by how accessible most toilets were in Oslo and Bergen. In rural areas, I did find that I sometimes had to ask staff in cafés or petrol stations for a key, so it’s good to plan ahead if you’re heading into the countryside.

Sweden

Sweden is similar — in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö, I found plenty of accessible toilets, most of them free and open. Occasionally, I came across coin-operated ones or facilities locked until a staff member helped. But overall, Sweden was very straightforward.

Denmark

Copenhagen was great for accessibility — toilets were easy to find and didn’t usually require a special key. On the highways, I did come across some coin-operated toilets, so keeping a few coins handy is useful.

Other European Experiences

• Spain: In Madrid and Barcelona, I found accessible toilets in transport hubs and public buildings, but many were kept locked and staff-controlled.
• Netherlands: Amsterdam was easy to manage thanks to local apps showing where accessible toilets are located. Most didn’t need a key.
• Belgium: At Brussels train station, my Eurokey worked perfectly. Elsewhere, it wasn’t always clear, so a mix of staff-controlled and open access.
• Portugal: Lisbon and Porto both had accessible toilets in tourist areas, but often I had to ask staff for access.

Getting the Keys Before You Go

If you’re travelling in the UK or Ireland, buy a RADAR key before you set off. They’re cheap and last forever. If your plans include Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or northern Italy, definitely get yourself a Eurokey. It makes such a difference, especially if you’re on the road.

You can order the Eurokey online from CBF Darmstadt in Germany. It’s worth doing it well in advance so you have it in your pocket before you board the plane.

My Personal Tips

• I always keep both keys on my main keyring so I don’t forget them.
• I use Google Maps and local apps to check toilet locations before heading out. In Paris, for example, you can find Sanisettes on a map.
• In rural areas, I plan ahead — toilets can be much rarer than in cities.
• I carry a few coins just in case, as some facilities still charge.
• And most importantly: don’t be afraid to ask staff. In countries without a key system, that’s usually how it works.

Final Thoughts

Travelling across Europe has shown me that there isn’t one simple system for accessible toilets. The UK has the RADAR key, Germany and its neighbours have the Eurokey, France has its Sanisettes, and Scandinavia mostly keeps things open. It can feel like a patchwork, but once you know the rules, it’s manageable.

For me, the RADAR key is still essential, and pairing it with a Eurokey has made my trips across central Europe so much less stressful. Having both means I can focus on enjoying the journey instead of worrying about locked doors. And that, in the end, is what travel should be about.