The Spanish government has announced the introduction of a national public transport pass, which will allow unlimited travel by train and bus throughout the country at a cost of EUR 60 per month. For young people under the age of 26, the fare will be reduced to EUR 30 per month.
The measure was presented by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and aims to facilitate access to public transport, especially for commuters, in the context of rising living costs.
What types of transport are included
The new pass will be valid for:
- commuter trains (Cercanías);
- regional and medium-distance trains;
- buses on the national network.
The pass will not be valid on high-speed trains or on very long-distance bus routes, even if they are operated or subsidized by the state.
The Spanish authorities have specified that the scheme is designed primarily for daily and regional mobility, not for long-haul commercial travel.
Application from mid-January 2026
According to the Madrid government, the pass is expected to come into effect in the second half of January 2026, following formal approval of the measure by the Council of Ministers.
The exact details of the conditions of access and the implementation mechanism are to be determined in the coming period.
The total cost of the scheme to the state budget has not been disclosed to date.
Estimated impact on commuters
Pedro Sánchez said that around 2 million people could benefit from significant reductions in their monthly transport costs, in some cases by up to 60% compared to current costs.
According to the Prime Minister, the initiative aims to encourage the use of public transport and contribute to more sustainable mobility.
The government also hopes that regional and municipal authorities will join the initiative to extend the validity of the pass to subways, trams, and city buses, which are under the jurisdiction of the autonomous communities.
However, given Spain’s high degree of decentralization, this extension is not guaranteed.
Spain joins other European countries with national passes
Spain’s initiative joins similar schemes already in place in several European countries.
Germany introduced the Deutschlandticket pass in 2023, initially at EUR 49 per month, valid on regional and urban transport, excluding high-speed trains. The fare subsequently increased to EUR 58 and is scheduled to reach EUR 63 in 2026.
Hungary offers a national pass costing around EUR 49 for 30 days, with significant discounts for students, while Portugal charges EUR 20 per month, but the scheme is only available to residents.
At the other end of the spectrum, Switzerland has the most expensive national pass, with fares reaching up to 470 EUR per month for adults.
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