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Severe disability card (Schwerbehindertenausweis)

A card with which severely disabled people (degree of disability of 50 or more) prove this status. It is issued on application by the responsible authority.

Also called
severe disability ID, card under section 152 SGB IX

A person counts as severely disabled if they have a degree of disability of at least 50. [1] The responsible authority determines the degree of disability on application; on application a card is issued for it. Its validity is to be time-limited. [2] An autism diagnosis does not automatically lead to a degree of disability: what matters is how strongly participation in everyday life is impaired. Further rights can be linked to the card, for example in working life (additional leave, special protection against dismissal) or through marks (Merkzeichen). In detail: Severe disability card and degree of disability.

Legal status: 08.10.2026. This is not legal advice; in an individual case, advice centres or specialist lawyers for social law can help.

Sources and literature

  1. § 2 SGB IX – Begriffsbestimmungen (Abs. 1–3). Sozialgesetzbuch Neuntes Buch.
  2. § 152 SGB IX – Feststellung der Behinderung, Ausweise. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_9_2018/__152.html.

In detail: Severe disability card and degree of disability for autism

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