Marks on the severe disability card: G, B, H, aG and more

Legal status: 08.10.2026 (federal law, checked against the text of the law and ordinance). Whether a mark is granted is decided by the responsible authority in the individual case. Legal terms are translated here for understanding; the German wording of the law is what counts.

The marks at a glance

Mark	Meaning according to the ordinance
aG	exceptionally walking-impaired (section 229 para. 3 SGB IX)
H	helpless (within the meaning of section 33b of the Income Tax Act or corresponding provisions)
Bl	blind
Gl	deaf (section 228 SGB IX)
RF	meets the health requirements laid down under state law for exemption from the broadcasting licence fee
1. Kl.	meets the health requirements laid down in the tariff for using the 1st class carriage with a 2nd-class ticket in rail transport
G	significantly impaired mobility in road traffic (section 229 para. 1 sentence 1 SGB IX)
TBl	deafblind (hearing at least GdB 70 and vision GdB 100)
B	entitlement to take an accompanying person (section 229 para. 2 SGB IX), on the front

The rows follow section 3 of the Severe Disability Card Ordinance. ^[4] The responsible authority determines the marks together with the degree of disability and enters them in the card. ^[1] More on the application: Severe disability card and GdB.

G: significantly impaired mobility in road traffic

A person is significantly impaired in their mobility in road traffic if, as a result of a restriction of walking ability (including through internal illnesses or as a result of seizures or disturbances of the ability to orient oneself), they cannot cover distances in local traffic that are usually still covered on foot without considerable difficulty or without danger to themselves or others. ^[2] In autism, a disturbance of the ability to orient oneself can therefore play a role; whether the requirements are met is determined in the individual case. ^[2]

B: taking an accompanying person

Severely disabled people who, because of their disability, regularly depend on help when using public transport are entitled to take an accompanying person. The determination does not mean that the person without accompaniment poses a danger to themselves or others. ^[2] The card then shows the mark “B” and the sentence “The entitlement to take an accompanying person has been proven”. ^[4]

H: helpless

For “helpless”, the ordinance refers to section 33b of the Income Tax Act or corresponding provisions; this provision was not evaluated for this article. ^[4] For children and adolescents, the Ordinance on Medical Care (Versorgungsmedizin-Verordnung) contains a rule: for pervasive developmental disorders that alone cause a GdS of at least 50, and for other equally severe behavioural and emotional disorders beginning in childhood with long-lasting significant difficulties fitting in, helplessness is regularly to be assumed up to the 18th year of life. ^[5] What this means in the individual case remains a decision of the authority.

aG, Bl, Gl, RF, 1. Kl., TBl

These marks are listed with their definitions in the table above. For aG, the law requires a considerable mobility-related participation impairment corresponding to a GdB of at least 80; permanently only with outside help or with great effort outside the motor vehicle. ^[2] For Bl, Gl, RF, 1. Kl. and TBl, this article makes no further statements; they link to other provisions.

Free transport in local public transport

Severely disabled people who, because of their disability, are significantly impaired in their mobility in road traffic or are helpless or deaf are carried free of charge in local transport by public transport operators on presentation of an appropriately marked card. The requirement is that the card has a valid voucher stamp (Wertmarke). ^[3] According to the statutory text, the voucher stamp costs 80 euros for one year or 40 euros for half a year; the amount increases at certain points in time. ^[3] Under certain conditions the voucher stamp is issued without charge, for example for blind or helpless people or on receipt of certain benefits to secure subsistence. ^[3] Current amounts and details you can find out from the body that issues the card.

What else you should know

• No mark without a GdB determination. The marks are part of the determination procedure. ^[1]
• Decision of the authority. Which marks come into question for you depends on the effects in everyday life, not on the diagnosis. Advice helps with the assessment: Finding advice.
• An objection is possible if you disagree with the decision notice: Applying and filing an objection.
• Not covered: requirements of H in detail (section 33b EStG), exemption from the broadcasting fee under state law, parking concessions, tax allowances.

Sources and literature

1. § 152 SGB IX – Feststellung der Behinderung, Ausweise (www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_9_2018/__152.html). – Statute (German federal law, in German)
2. § 229 SGB IX – Persönliche Voraussetzungen (www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_9_2018/__229.html). – Statute (German federal law, in German)
3. § 228 SGB IX – Unentgeltliche Beförderung, Anspruch auf Erstattung der Fahrgeldausfälle (www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_9_2018/__228.html). – Statute (German federal law, in German)
4. § 3 SchwbAwV – Weitere Merkzeichen (www.gesetze-im-internet.de/schwbawv/__3.html). – Ordinance (in German)
5. Dritte Verordnung zur Änderung der Versorgungsmedizin-Verordnung vom 17.12.2010, BGBl. I S. 2124 (Teil A Nr. 5 d bb Hilflosigkeit). – Ordinance (in German)
6. autismus Deutschland e.V.: Rechte von Menschen mit Autismus, Vortragsfolien Recht, 20.11.2025. https://www.autismus.de/fileadmin/RECHT_UND_GESELLSCHAFT/Folien_Recht_20_11_2025.pdf – Professional association (website in German)