Welcome to the ERN-EYE 2026 Scientific Workshop
We are pleased to invite you to the ERN-EYE 2026 Scientific Meeting that will be held on 26th and 27th November 2026 in Florence, Italy.
Hosted by our Italian colleagues, Dr. Giacomo Bacci and his team, the 2026 Scientific Workshop is titled: “Innovative Therapies for Rare Eye Diseases: Clinical Management from Childhood to Adulthood and Future Perspective”
ABOUT THIS EVENT
Venue
ERN-EYE 2026 Scientific Workshop preview
The 2026 ERN-EYE General Annual Meeting is scheduled to take place over two days at Meyer Hospital at Meyer Health Campus (November 26) and Careggi Hospital at Careggi Auditorium (November 27) .
Dinner
To conclude the first day of the ERN-EYE 2026 Scientific Meeting, a dinner will be hosted on Thursday 26 November.
More information to come.
Hotels
ERN-EYE recommends 3 hotels in the city centre of Florence:
Raffaello Hotel
The Raffaello Hotel is located approximatively 11 minutes by foot from Careggi and Meyer Hospitals.
A special rate on the daily accommodation is available when booking via e-mail at info@raffaellohotel.it specifying the discount code ERN-EYE.
Social Hub Florence Lavagnini
The Social Hub is located approximatively 30 minutes by public transport from the Florence Airport, and about 25 minutes by public transport from Careggi and Meyer Hospitals.
Mercure Hotel
The Mercure hotel is located approximatively 25 minutes by public transport from the Florence Airport, and about 30 minutes by public transport from Careggi and Meyer Hospitals.
A 10% discount on the daily accommodation rates is available when booking via e-mail at h9131-re@accor.com specifying the discount code ERN-EYE.
How to reach Florence Central Station from Florence A. Vespucci Airport
How do I get from the airport to Florence city center?
The airport is connected to the city center by the Vola in Bus, a shuttle service operated by Busitalia SITA Nord. It runs between Florence Airport and Santa Maria Novella railway station.
The journey takes approximately 20 minutes. Buses run every 20 to 30 minutes during the day, with reduced frequency in the late evening. Tickets cost around €6–€8 for a one-way trip.
How to reach Careggi and Meyer Hospitals from Florence Central Station
By car
BY CAR
Parking spaces are available in front of the hospital.
GPS coordinates:
Longitude: 11.246578
Latitude: 43.8038293
By tram
- From Santa Maria Novella railway station, take the T1 tram line toward Villa Costanza.
- Get off at the stop “Cure” (or the nearest stop to Careggi Hospital—check current tram maps for updates).
- From the tram stop, it’s about a 5–10 minute walk to Careggi Hospital.
- A standard tram ticket costs €1.70 one way and can be purchased at ticket machines or via the ATAF app.
- Trams run approximately every 5–10 minutes during the day.
- Travel time: 15–20 minutes from the railway station to the tram stop near the hospital.
By bus
The hospital is approximately 25 minutes from the Santa Maria Novella railway station, accessible via bus line 14.
From the Florence Airport, the journey takes about 20–25 minutes using the Vola in Bus, operated by Busitalia SITA Nord. The shuttle connects the airport to the city center (near the main railway station). Buses run every 20 to 30 minutes during the day. A one-way ticket costs approximately €6–€8.
By taxi
- From the railway station: about 15–20 minutes, fare approximately €15–€20.
- From the airport: about 20–30 minutes. A fixed fare applies for trips between Florence Airport and the city center (around €22–€25, depending on conditions and supplements).
Taxis in Florence are white and can be booked by phone or found at designated taxi ranks throughout the city.
Expenses Q&A
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?
All ERN-EYE full members, affiliated and supporting partners as well as ePAGs are welcome to attend our ERN-EYE Scientific Meeting. Please, remember to register for the event.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BE REIMBURSED?
Only one attendee of each ERN-EYE full member organisation is eligible for reimbursement for participating in ERN-EYE events, in addition to ERN-EYE WG/TWG leaders, and invited speakers. All other participants from full member, affiliated, or supporting partner organizations are responsible for covering their own expenses.
WHICH COSTS ARE COVERED?
Travel, accommodation, and meals are reimbursed in accordance with EC reimbursement rules (Commission Decision C(2023) 4928).
Please note:
- The number of reimbursable nights cannot exceed the number of meeting days +1.
- Ensure that you submit the travel claim form along with all supporting documents (receipts and official bank statement) within 30 calendar days after the meeting ends.
- Remember to sign the attendance sheet on each day of the meeting.
HOW IS TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT CALCULATED?
You will be entitled to reimbursement of your travel expenses between your place of work or residence and the address used on the invitation to the meeting’s location.
Reimbursement maximum amount for travel under 400 km are country based (both for intra and inter Member State travels), reimbursement maximum amount for travel over 400 km are distance based. The kilometer distance has to be calculated via the website provided by the European Commission accessible at the following link: Unit costs for eligible travel.
The maximum amounts for return trip for the different categories are available for consultation at the following link: Commission Decision C(2023) 4928.
The reimbursement will be paid on actual cost basis up to a maximum calculated following the EC Unit Cost for travel reimbursement rules once you have presented the relevant proofs of payment.
WHAT ARE THE LIMITS FOR ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS?
The accommodation will be reimbursed on actual cost basis, up to the maximum amount reimbursable, once you have presented the relevant supporting documents. Reimbursement maximum amount for accommodation will depend on the country of the meeting following the EC Unit Cost for travel reimbursement rules. The maximum amount for accommodation in Florence is: €114/night.
Meals and local transport (bus, tram, metro, taxi…) are reimbursed to a daily maximum amount. Its amount will depend on the country of the meeting and is calculated on a 24h period base in case meals are not provided in the frame of the meeting. Meals and local transport will be reimbursed once you have presented the relevant supporting documents. The maximum amount for subsistence in Florence is: €98/day.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR REIMBURSEMENT?
After the event, the completed Travel Claim Form, along with all supporting documents (receipts, transport and accommodation invoices, and official bank document in PDF format) must be sent within 30 days to: ern.eye.reimb@chru-strasbourg.fr.
To ensure your reimbursement is processed correctly, please carefully follow these submission guidelines:
• Complete all sections of the travel claim form. Incomplete forms cannot be processed.
• Sign the form by hand. Digital signatures are not accepted.
• Attach an official bank statement (RIB/IBAN) showing: your full name, personal address, bank name, bank address, and all relevant banking details (IBAN, BIC/SWIFT). Missing or incorrect information will delay reimbursement.
• Include original receipts (scanned and clearly visible). Bank statements or extracts cannot replace receipts.
Please ensure that all information provided is accurate, as any errors may cause delays in processing your request.