Disability report is an official medical board document that formally determines an individual’s physical, mental, psychological, or sensory impairments. With this report, a person can gain entitlements in many areas such as social state benefits, Social Security (SGK) transactions, tax advantages, retirement rights, and social assistance. As of 2026, the report procedures are carried out in accordance with the Regulation on Disability Measurement, Classification and Medical Board Reports for Persons with Disabilities.
The process of obtaining a disability report can sometimes seem complex and tiring. However, if the steps are followed correctly, the application proceeds in a planned and trouble-free manner. Important items to know before applying include the disability percentage, whether the report is temporary or permanent, and the intended use of the report. Below is a detailed explanation of the process for obtaining a disability report and how the percentage is calculated, based on 2026 regulations.
What Is a Disability Report and What Is It Used For?
A disability report is an official document that shows how a person’s health condition affects their ability to carry out daily living activities. The report is issued by evaluating all of the person’s health problems together rather than focusing on a single disease.
Main uses of the disability report include:
- Application for a disability identity card
- Right to tax reductions
- Procedures for disability retirement
- Application for home care allowance
- Disability pension payments
- Exemptions from special consumption tax (ÖTV) and motor vehicle tax (MTV)
- Employment in public and private sectors for persons with disabilities
- Educational and transportation supports
Therefore, the report is not just a medical certificate but also an official document that determines rights.
Who Can Obtain a Disability Report?
There is no specific age or profession requirement to apply for a disability report. Anyone with permanent or long-term loss of function in their health can apply.
Groups eligible to apply include:
- Individuals with congenital disabilities
- Those who became disabled due to illness or an accident
- People with chronic illnesses
- People diagnosed with intellectual, psychological, or psychiatric conditions
- Persons with vision, hearing, or orthopedic impairments
- Children (through a parent or guardian)
At the time of application, being a citizen and having an identity document is sufficient.
How to Apply for a Disability Report?
Applications for disability reports are made through authorized hospitals. The application can be done individually and does not require an intermediary organization.
Application steps are as follows:
- Apply to a fully equipped authorized public hospital
- Request a disability medical board report
- Obtain an appointment from the registration unit
- Complete the required specialist examinations
- Undergo the medical board evaluation
Applications are generally accepted through hospitals authorized by the Ministry of Health. Most private hospitals do not have the authority to issue disability reports.
Required Documents for the Disability Report
The documents requested at the time of application are standard and similar across most hospitals. Submitting an application with missing documents can lengthen the process.
Required documents typically include:
- Identity card or national ID
- 2–4 passport-size photos
- Previous medical board reports, if available
- Discharge summaries (epicrisis) and medical records
- Prescriptions for current medications
- Referral letter (in some cases)
For children and individuals with intellectual disabilities, a parent or guardian document may also be requested.
Medical Board Examination Process
After application, the person is referred to the hospital departments determined by the facility. The purpose at this stage is to evaluate all health problems separately.
Main departments that may perform examinations include:
- Internal medicine
- Orthopedics
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Ophthalmology
- Otolaryngology (ENT)
- Cardiology
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Each specialist provides a suggested disability percentage related to their field into the system. However, these suggestions are not final by themselves; the final percentage is determined by the medical board.
How Is the Disability Percentage Calculated?
As of 2026, disability percentages are calculated using the Balthazard formula. In this system, percentages for different conditions are not simply added together; they are combined using a specific mathematical method.
The logic of the calculation is as follows:
- The highest percentage is taken as the base
- Other percentages are applied to the remaining intact health
- The total percentage does not exceed 100%
Example calculation:
- Orthopedic impairment: 40%
- Vision loss: 20%
The first rate is accepted as 40%. Remaining intact health is 60%. The 20% is applied to that 60% → 12%. Total percentage: 52%.
This method allows for a more realistic and fair assessment of total disability.
2026 Disability Percentage Ranges
The regulation specifies percentage ranges for each disease and type of impairment. Below are general percentage ranges for frequently encountered impairment groups.
Orthopedic Impairments
- Loss of one lower limb: 40–60%
- Loss of both lower limbs: 70–90%
- Spinal movement restriction: 20–50%
Visual Impairments
- Loss of vision in one eye: 32%
- Severe loss in both eyes: 90% and above
Hearing Impairments
- Mild hearing loss: 10–20%
- Moderate loss: 30–40%
- Severe loss: 50–80%
Intellectual and Psychiatric Impairments
- Mild intellectual disability: 50%
- Moderate intellectual disability: 70%
- Severe intellectual disability: 90%
Chronic Diseases
- Diabetes with complications: 20–40%
- Controlled epilepsy: 20%
- Heart failure: 30–70%
These percentages are not applied in isolation; all conditions are assessed together to determine the final rate.
Temporary or Permanent Reports
Disability reports are issued in two forms:
- Temporary report
- Permanent report
Temporary reports are generally given for conditions with a possibility of improvement. Their duration can be 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years, and a new application is required at the end of the period.
Permanent reports are issued for conditions that are permanent and irreversible. These reports typically do not require re-evaluation.
How Many Days Until the Disability Report Is Issued?
The time it takes to issue the report varies depending on the hospital’s workload and the number of examinations. Average timelines are:
- Examination process: 3–10 days
- Board evaluation: 7–15 days
- Report delivery: 1–3 days
Generally, a disability report is finalized within 2–4 weeks.
How to Appeal a Disability Report?
If the percentage or duration in the report is not suitable, there is a right to appeal. The appeal period is generally 30 days.
The appeal process works as follows:
- Apply to the provincial health directorate
- Be referred to a different hospital
- Undergo a new medical board evaluation
- Receive the final decision
The decision of the second hospital is usually considered final.
Where Is the Disability Report Used?
The disability report is directly used in many official procedures. The most common uses include:
- Social Security retirement procedures
- Applications for tax reductions
- Special consumption tax exemption when purchasing a vehicle
- Home care support
- Social assistance and municipal supports
- Recruitment for public personnel
The purpose of the report should be stated during application, and if necessary, the intended use should be explicitly written on the report.