Peru – Disability

What are the general attitudes towards disability in Peru?

Peruvian attitudes toward disability differ markedly depending on whether you are in an urban or rural setting. In Lima and other major cities, there is a more visible disability rights movement, and public consciousness around the issue has grown over time. Nevertheless, the medical model of disability — which frames impairment as a personal condition requiring treatment rather than as the result of barriers created by society — continues to dominate over the social model. This distinction matters: the social model, which is broadly accepted in countries such as the UK and Canada, positions disability as arising from the interaction between a person’s needs and an environment that fails to accommodate them, rather than from any inherent deficiency.

Across Latin America, institutional placement has long been one of the most pervasive forms of segregation faced by people with disabilities, and Peru has historically reflected this pattern. People with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities in particular have frequently been confined to residential facilities with little opportunity for community participation. In February 2025, CONADIS adopted a deinstitutionalisation strategy, though competing priorities within national policy mean the path forward remains contested.

While Peru has enacted genuinely strong disability rights legislation, awareness of those rights among people with disabilities themselves — particularly those living in rural or under-resourced communities — remains low, and the distance between legal entitlement and lived experience is wide. Stigma around mental health conditions and intellectual disabilities continues to restrict opportunities in employment, education, and social settings. Expats arriving from countries with more established public awareness and anti-stigma campaigns should anticipate encountering a wider range of attitudes.

What legal protections exist for disabled people in Peru?

The cornerstone of Peru’s disability law is the General Law on Persons with Disabilities (Law 29973), passed in 2012 and supplemented by detailed implementing regulations in 2014. This legislation is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive frameworks in the region, explicitly aligned with the CRPD. It establishes the legal architecture for promoting, protecting, and fulfilling the rights of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others, with non-discrimination as its central principle.

Law No. 29973 defines persons with disabilities as those who have one or more permanent physical, sensory, mental, or intellectual impairments which, in interaction with various attitudinal and environmental barriers, may restrict their full exercise of rights or full and effective inclusion in society on an equal basis with others. This reflects the social model of disability and mirrors the language of the CRPD.

On employment, the law requires both public and private entities with more than 50 employees to reserve 5% and 3% of positions respectively for persons with disabilities. Compliance rates as of 2024, however, are strikingly low: only 9 out of 143 public entities met the employment quota, and in the private sector, just 146 of the 6,573 companies legally obliged to comply actually did so. Workplace accessibility obligations are frequently unmet, and bias against employees with disabilities remains a practical concern.

A significant civil law reform was enacted in 2018, when Peru amended its Civil Code to remove all restrictions on legal capacity based on disability or the concept of ‘discernment’, and to abolish civil guardianship for adults with disabilities. This positioned Peru among the most progressive jurisdictions globally on the issue of supported decision-making. Since 2013, employees have also had the right to take leave to attend to the medical care and rehabilitation of minor children or wards with disabilities.

Oversight and enforcement of these protections is shared among several bodies, including INDECOPI (the consumer authority), the Office of the Ombudsman, and CONADIS, all of which accept complaints and are required to communicate rights information in accessible formats. Expats should contact CONADIS directly at www.gob.pe/conadis or approach the Defensoría del Pueblo for current procedures. The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights also holds information on human rights protections that include disability-related rights.

It is worth noting that, while Peru’s legal reforms have earned recognition across the region, many provisions have historically lacked the accompanying regulations or budget allocations needed to make them functional in practice. Readers should confirm current enforcement mechanisms and complaint procedures directly with CONADIS or the Defensoría del Pueblo.

Has Peru ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)?

Peru made history in December 2007 by becoming the first Latin American country to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which entered into force in 2008. Peru also ratified the Marrakesh Treaty in early 2016. The Peruvian state has since submitted three periodic reports to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, documenting the measures taken to uphold the non-discrimination principle.

Ratification has had a tangible influence on Peruvian legislation, directly shaping both the 2012 General Law on Persons with Disabilities and the 2018 Civil Code reform on legal capacity. In 2021, Peru adopted the National Multisectoral Policy on Disability for Development to 2030, aimed at tackling structural discrimination faced by people with disabilities. Peru has also ratified the Optional Protocol to the CRPD, enabling individuals to bring complaints before the UN Committee once domestic remedies are exhausted.

International experts have nonetheless raised ongoing concerns about the gap between legislative progress and implementation on the ground. UN experts have cautioned that proposed legislative changes risk entrenching “‘temporary’ and ‘specialised’ solutions” that “tend to become long-term and lead to exclusion and segregation, while diverting budgetary resources from community-based services.” The CRPD Committee’s 2023 review acknowledged Peru’s law reform achievements while drawing attention to the persistent divide between progressive legislation and day-to-day reality — a pattern common to many CRPD signatory states in the region.

How accessible is public transport in Peru for disabled people?

The accessibility of Peru’s public transport varies enormously from city to city and is far more limited in rural settings. Lima, as the national capital, has the best-developed network, yet even there accessibility measures are applied inconsistently. Holders of the CONADIS card with a severe disability classification are entitled to travel free on the public transport system — a meaningful benefit for those in cities where formal transit networks operate.

Lima’s Metropolitano bus rapid transit system and Metro Line 1 have incorporated accessible features including ramps, designated spaces for wheelchair users, and audio announcements, broadly in line with standards found at other Latin American capitals such as Bogotá. That said, the overwhelming majority of Lima’s urban movement depends on informal buses and minibuses (combis), which offer virtually no accessibility provision and can be extremely difficult for wheelchair users or people with sensory impairments to navigate.

Travel to destinations such as Machu Picchu lacks dedicated wheelchair accessibility infrastructure, though staff members typically provide manual assistance; wheelchair users often need a companion to help with boarding trains and buses. This illustrates a broader pattern across the country: interpersonal willingness to assist is frequently present, but structural, infrastructure-based accessibility cannot be counted on. In cities such as Arequipa, Cusco, and Trujillo, formal accessible transport options are even more limited than in Lima.

App-based ride services including Uber and InDriver give disabled passengers greater scheduling flexibility, but vehicles adapted for motorised wheelchair users are rarely bookable through standard platforms. Expats who depend on wheelchair-accessible vehicles should plan around private hire arrangements or specialist transport providers, and should confirm what is available in their specific location before relocating.

How accessible are public buildings and spaces in Peru for disabled people?

Peru’s building regulations incorporate accessibility requirements for public buildings, and the General Law on Persons with Disabilities mandates accessible infrastructure across public spaces, government offices, transport hubs, and cultural venues. In reality, however, compliance with these requirements is patchy and enforcement is uneven. Older structures — particularly in heritage city centres such as Cusco and Lima’s colonial districts — regularly present substantial obstacles, among them uneven cobblestone streets, an absence of ramps, and doorways too narrow for wheelchair access.

The law obliges local governments to establish Regional Offices (OREDIS) and Municipal Offices (OMAPED) to support people with disabilities and promote accessibility at the local level. In practice, the capacity of these offices varies widely between municipalities, and budgetary limitations mean that many accessibility obligations are only partially met.

Modern shopping centres and hotels in Lima and other large cities generally provide better access — including lifts, accessible toilets, and designated parking — especially those built or significantly renovated after 2012. However, restaurants, small businesses, and cultural venues outside the premium segment are frequently inaccessible. Pavements in large parts of Lima and other cities are often broken, narrow, or blocked, making independent navigation by wheelchair or with mobility aids difficult.

At major tourist sites, the situation is similarly inconsistent. Visitors with disabilities are entitled to substantial discounts on entrance fees; foreign visitors can obtain a 50% reduction by presenting either a CONADIS card or an official disability certificate at the point of purchase. Physical access at many sites, however, remains constrained by the nature of the terrain and the heritage status of the infrastructure. Expats should research specific venues beforehand and contact them directly to ask about current accessibility arrangements.

What disability benefits or financial support is available to expats in Peru?

Peru does not have a broad national disability benefit system comparable to, say, the UK’s Personal Independence Payment or Germany’s Schwerbehindertenausweis-linked support arrangements. Disability-related financial assistance in Peru is delivered primarily through targeted social programmes run by the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion (MIDIS), alongside social security contributions managed through EsSalud (the national health insurer) and the Office of Pension Normalisation (ONP).

For most expats, access to state disability support in Peru is very restricted unless they hold long-term residency, have contributed to the Peruvian social security system through formal employment, or qualify under specific welfare programmes. Peru’s social assistance schemes are generally means-tested and primarily directed at nationals living in poverty. Expats without permanent residency or a history of formal contributions to EsSalud and ONP are unlikely to meet the eligibility criteria for most state disability payments. Current eligibility rules should be confirmed directly with MIDIS at www.gob.pe/midis and with CONADIS.

Expats who receive disability payments from their home country — such as disability insurance or equivalent arrangements — should verify whether those payments can continue while they are living in Peru. Portability rules differ considerably by country and by benefit type. As with any cross-border welfare arrangement, specialist advice from a social security lawyer or benefits adviser familiar with both your home country’s system and Peruvian requirements is strongly recommended before you relocate.

The CONADIS card unlocks access to a range of government programmes, services, and benefits for people with disabilities, including free public transport for those classified with severe disability, preferences within certain care services, and the possibility of accessing preferential credit through government schemes. Although these benefits are primarily designed for Peruvian nationals, expats who obtain formal disability registration with CONADIS (see the assessment section below) may be able to access some of these provisions. Eligibility for non-nationals should be confirmed directly with CONADIS before assuming entitlement.

What healthcare and rehabilitation services are available to disabled expats in Peru?

Peru’s public health system operates in segments. EsSalud covers employees in formal work and their dependants, while MINSA (the Ministry of Health) runs a network of public hospitals and health posts serving the wider population, including those enrolled in the Seguro Integral de Salud (SIS), a subsidised insurance scheme for low-income residents. Unlike a universal health system such as the NHS, access to Peru’s public health provision for expats is closely linked to formal employment status or residency.

Expats in formal employment who contribute to EsSalud are entitled to use its facilities, which include rehabilitation services for people with disabilities. EsSalud operates specialist rehabilitation centres in Lima and in some regional cities. Those who do not contribute to EsSalud — including retirees, self-employed expats, or those on certain visa categories — are generally expected to rely on private healthcare. Individual entitlements should be verified directly with EsSalud (www.essalud.gob.pe) and MINSA (www.gob.pe/minsa).

Private healthcare is widely available in Lima and major cities, and quality at premium facilities has improved substantially in recent years. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and psychological support can all be obtained privately, at costs that are considerably lower than in many other countries — though still a significant outlay without appropriate insurance coverage. Assistive technology, including wheelchairs, hearing aids, and visual aids, is available but the range is narrower than in countries with more developed assistive technology markets, and specialist equipment can be costly. Importing specific items may be necessary for some users.

In rural Peru the picture is considerably more difficult: specialist rehabilitation and disability-specific healthcare are scarce, and reaching facilities can involve lengthy journeys. Expats with significant disability-related healthcare requirements are strongly advised to settle in or near a major city, and to arrange comprehensive private health insurance before arriving in the country. Current service availability should be checked with MINSA and your local EsSalud regional office.

How does the process of having a disability assessed or recognised work in Peru?

Peru’s formal disability recognition system is administered by CONADIS, which issues the national disability card (the “CONADIS Card”) and maintains the National Registry of Persons with Disabilities. The process involves two stages: first obtaining a Certificate of Disability, then registering with CONADIS to receive the card.

1. Obtain a Certificate of Disability (Certificado de Discapacidad): The certificate can be requested at health posts, medical centres, hospitals of MINSA, Regional and Local Governments, the Health of the Armed Forces, the Health of the National Police of Peru, EsSalud, or the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE). Health establishments of private clinics can also grant the certificate, but they must be registered in the National Registry of Institutions Providers of Health Services (REINPRESS-SUSALUD).
2. Classification of disability level: Depending on the degree of disability, there are three types of classification: mild, moderate, and severe, and each card will enable access to different benefits according to the severity of the disability.
3. Register with CONADIS: The CONADIS Card is a document delivered by means of a CONADIS resolution to the person with a disability who requests it, after sending the necessary documents. Registration can be initiated through the CONADIS website or in person at a CONADIS office.
4. Receive the CONADIS Card: The CONADIS Card is the official identity card for people with registered disabilities in Peru, certifying a person’s disability status and serving as a means of accessing a series of benefits and rights that Peruvian law guarantees to improve their inclusion and quality of life.

Regarding foreign documentation: official disability certificates from medical boards in visitors’ home countries are accepted for some purposes — for example, to obtain discounted entrance tickets at heritage sites. Such certificates must clearly set out the nature and extent of the disability and should be accompanied by a certified Spanish translation if they are in another language. For formal CONADIS registration and access to the full range of legal protections, however, you will need to complete Peru’s own assessment process. As of 2024, practical obstacles to certification include a shortage of trained assessors, high indirect costs such as travel expenses, and limited public information about how the process works. Processing times vary; check current timeframes directly with CONADIS at www.gob.pe/conadis.

Notably, only around 15% of the estimated population with disabilities in Peru is registered with CONADIS, which reflects the genuine practical difficulties many people encounter in completing the process. Expats should anticipate that registration will take time and plan accordingly.

What support exists for disabled children and young people in Peru?

In 2018, Peru enacted the Inclusive Education Law (Law No. 30797), which was described by a UN expert as ‘excellent’. The legislation aims to ‘effectively guarantee an inclusive approach to all forms of education and to make psychology professionals members of the education community.’ This represents a substantial legislative commitment to inclusive schooling, comparable in its ambitions to inclusive education frameworks adopted by other CRPD signatory states.

Implementation of inclusive education in practice, however, is far from uniform. In communities affected by poverty, people with intellectual disabilities face reduced access to schooling. The availability of resources, specialist teacher training, and in-school psychological support varies considerably between urban and rural areas and between state and private institutions. Lima and other major cities tend to offer a wider range of specialist educational provision, including schools with dedicated programmes for children with autism, hearing impairment, visual impairment, and learning disabilities.

Expat children are generally entitled to access Peru’s public education system, and the inclusive education framework applies in principle to all children regardless of nationality. In practice, however, language barriers (most provision is in Spanish, with little available in other languages), inconsistent support, and administrative hurdles can make accessing appropriate provision challenging for foreign families. Parents are strongly advised to research individual schools in advance and to speak directly with school leadership about what specialist support is available for their child’s particular needs before committing to a move.

In 2024, Specialised Educational Support Services (SAEs) were introduced in Loreto, Ucayali, and Northern Lima, extending specialist provision to thousands of additional students — a positive development, though significant regional inequality in provision persists. Private specialist schools and international schools in Lima may offer more consistent support for expat families who are able to access them.

What advocacy and support organisations exist for disabled people in Peru?

Peru has a lively civil society engaged with disability rights issues. The following are the principal organisations working in this space.

• CONADIS (Consejo Nacional para la Integración de la Persona con Discapacidad) — The official national government body responsible for disability policy, registration, and rights enforcement. CONADIS provides services relating to support services and assistance animals, obtaining adapted vehicles, and connecting disabled people with support organisations, and offers a mechanism for filing complaints against organisations and businesses that fail to comply with the rights of people with disabilities in Peru. Website: www.gob.pe/conadis
• CONFENADIP (Confederación Nacional de Personas con Discapacidad del Perú) — Disabled persons’ organisations played an active role in Peru’s CRPD shadow report, primarily through CONFENADIP. This is the country’s leading national federation of disabled people’s organisations, representing a broad spectrum of disability groups nationwide.
• Disability and Rights Roundtable (Mesa de Discapacidad y Derechos) — A coalition of disabled persons’ organisations and other civil society groups sitting under the National Coordinator for Human Rights (CNDDHH), actively working to place disability rights issues — including in health, governance, education, and employment — onto the government’s agenda.
• SODIS (Sociedad y Discapacidad) — SODIS led the initiative to launch a major legal capacity reform process, convening a coalition of disability organisations, and provided technical expertise to support significant legislative changes in compliance with the CRPD. The organisation focuses on legal and rights-based advocacy for people with disabilities.
• Defensoría del Pueblo (Office of the Ombudsman) — The Ombudsman monitors and defends human rights across Peru, including disability rights, and plays a key role in ensuring compliance with the CRPD, working in close collaboration with CONADIS and regional disability advocacy groups. Website: www.defensoria.gob.pe
• Humanity and Inclusion (Handicap International) Peru — An international NGO operating in Peru on disability inclusion, rehabilitation, and inclusive development. They can be a useful first point of contact for newly arrived expats seeking to understand local services. Website: www.hi.org

It should be noted that most of these organisations operate primarily in Spanish and direct their work at the Peruvian population. No organisations are known to specifically target expats with disabilities, though CONADIS’s mandate covers all residents. Expats are encouraged to engage with international disability networks and their home country’s embassy in Lima for additional support and guidance.

What practical tips should disabled expats know before moving to Peru?

• Get your disability formally documented before you leave. Arrange official documentation of your disability in your home country prior to departure, and have certified Spanish translations prepared in advance. Official disability certificates from medical boards in your home country are accepted for certain purposes in Peru; they must clearly describe the nature and extent of the disability and be accompanied by an official Spanish translation if issued in another language.
• Take out private health insurance from the outset. Unless you are in formal employment contributing to EsSalud, access to public healthcare is limited for expats. A comprehensive private health insurance policy that covers pre-existing conditions and disability-related care is essential. Look carefully at policies that include rehabilitation and assistive technology, as many standard expat policies exclude these areas.
• Choose Lima or another major city if you have significant accessibility requirements. The disparity between Lima and rural Peru in terms of healthcare, accessible transport, specialist services, and physical infrastructure is substantial. If proximity to rehabilitation services, accessible streets, or specialist practitioners is important, research your specific neighbourhood within Lima carefully — accessibility standards can change considerably from one street to the next.
• Start the CONADIS registration process as early as possible. Registering with CONADIS will give you access to benefits, transport concessions, and legal protections. Practical obstacles include a shortage of trained personnel and significant indirect costs such as travel, so allow ample time and expect some bureaucratic delays. Initiate the process as soon as your residency documentation is in order.
• Bring a sufficient stock of assistive technology and specialist equipment. The range of assistive equipment readily available in Peru — particularly outside Lima — is more limited than in many other countries, and specialist imported items can face customs delays or attract high import duties. Bring adequate supplies and investigate air freight options or specialist importers before you travel.
• Find out whether your home country disability benefits can be paid abroad. Benefit portability rules vary considerably between countries. Some pension-linked disability payments can be paid internationally, while means-tested benefits typically cannot. Consult a social security adviser in your home country before relocating.
• Understand your prospective employer’s legal obligations. Peruvian law requires public employers to employ at least 5% disabled staff and private employers with more than 50 staff to employ at least 3%. Compliance rates are low, and prejudices against workers with disabilities persist, so it is worth raising reasonable adjustment requirements explicitly before accepting a position and securing any commitments in writing.
• Know what to expect in practice. Many disabled expats in Peru find that people are personally warm, helpful, and ready to assist — but that physical infrastructure routinely falls short even where legal obligations exist. The gap between legal entitlement and lived reality is one of the most consistently noted challenges. On the positive side, the comparatively low cost of personal care assistance and private healthcare can make it far more affordable to employ a personal assistant or carer than would be possible in many other countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Peru a good country for disabled expats?

Peru has progressive disability legislation and a warm culture, but the gap between law and practice is significant, particularly outside Lima. Expats with mobility impairments or high healthcare needs will find the major cities more manageable than rural areas. Personal care costs are generally lower than in northern Europe or North America, which can be an advantage. Research your specific needs thoroughly before committing to a move.

Can I access Peru’s public healthcare system as a disabled expat?

Access depends on your employment and residency status. Expats in formal employment contribute to EsSalud and can access its services, including rehabilitation. Those outside the formal employment system are generally expected to use private healthcare. Verify your specific entitlements with EsSalud (essalud.gob.pe) and MINSA (gob.pe/minsa) based on your situation.

Will my disability be recognised in Peru if it was assessed in another country?

Foreign disability documentation is accepted for some purposes — such as discounts at tourist sites — but for full legal recognition and access to the CONADIS card and associated benefits, you will need to go through Peru’s own assessment and registration process. Have your foreign documents translated into Spanish and seek assessment at a MINSA-affiliated health centre or EsSalud facility.

Are there employment protections for disabled expats working in Peru?

The General Law on Persons with Disabilities (Law 29973) applies to all persons with disabilities in Peru, including expats in formal employment. Employers with more than 50 staff must meet disability employment quotas (5% in public entities, 3% in private entities, as of 2024), and reasonable accommodation obligations apply. Enforcement is inconsistent, however, so discuss specific adjustments with any prospective employer in advance.

What is the CONADIS card and do expats qualify for one?

The CONADIS card is Peru’s official disability identity card, issued after formal assessment and registration through CONADIS. It provides access to benefits including free public transport (for severe disability), concessions at cultural venues, and preferences in some government programmes. Expats who have obtained legal residency in Peru can apply, though eligibility for specific benefits linked to the card may vary. Contact CONADIS at gob.pe/conadis for current guidance.

Is public transport accessible for wheelchair users in Lima?

Lima’s formal transit systems — the Metropolitano BRT and Metro Line 1 — have some accessibility features, and the CONADIS card grants free travel for severely disabled users. However, the majority of urban transport (informal buses and minibuses) has no accessibility provision. App-based taxis offer more flexibility, though wheelchair-accessible vehicles are rarely available via standard booking. Plan around private transport or accessible taxi services if you need reliable wheelchair-accessible travel.

Are disabled expat children entitled to inclusive education in Peru?

In principle, all children in Peru — including expat children — are entitled to access the inclusive education framework established by Law 30797 (2018). In practice, the quality and availability of specialist support varies significantly between schools and between urban and rural areas. Families should research individual schools carefully and speak with school leadership about specific support available before enrolling a child with disabilities.

What should I do if my disability rights are violated in Peru?

Complaints can be filed with CONADIS, INDECOPI (the consumer and competition authority), or the Defensoría del Pueblo (Ombudsman’s Office), which has 40 regional offices across the country. For employment-related discrimination, the Ministry of Labour (Ministerio de Trabajo y Promoción del Empleo) is also relevant. Keep records of any incidents and, where possible, seek support from a local disability rights organisation such as CONFENADIP or the Disability and Rights Roundtable.