Public transportation users in Spain will be able to buy a single pass, Nationwide Public Transport Pass Spain, that allows them to use any local public transportation service anywhere in the country from 2026, Minister of Transport Óscar Puente has announced.

Inspired by Germany’s “Deutschland-Ticket,” which offers unlimited travel on local and regional transport for a fixed monthly fee, the Spanish model seeks to enhance user convenience and promote sustainable mobility. The exact pricing for the Spanish pass has not been finalized, but similar European models range from €49 to €58 per month. High-speed and long-distance trains are excluded.

“The objective and the challenge in 2026 is to implement the single ticket in Spain, something that Germany has, which has advantages and disadvantages there, and failures that allow us to learn ,”

Álvaro Fernández Heredia, the ministry’s secretary general for sustainable mobility, explained.

Implementing this system will require coordination among various administrative levels, including municipalities and autonomous communities, as they manage significant portions of the public transport network. The Ministry of Transport emphasizes that this measure will facilitate better resource distribution and improve the quality of public transport services nationwide.

In the interim, the government has extended existing public transport discounts until June 2025. Starting in July 2025, a new unified pass for Cercanías (commuter) trains will be introduced at €20 per month, with reduced rates for young people and free access for children under 15.

This initiative is part of Spain’s broader efforts to encourage public transport use, reduce reliance on private vehicles, and address environmental concerns by lowering carbon emissions.

“I hope that in 2026 we will go to that measure that allows a greater and better distribution of resources, generates comfort for users, but, above all, focuses efforts on the quality of public transport.”

“It is a measure that simplifies access to public transport, in the sense that with a single ticket, you can access trains, metros, trams and buses, eliminating barriers, because today using public transport in a city that is not yours becomes a treasure hunt,” Álvaro Fernández Heredia told Spanish newspaper El Pais.

“Having a card that allows you to move around the entire country will make it easier to use sustainable mobility and will become a good solution for users, which will attract more people to public transport.”

More about Spain’s public transport system

As of January 2025, Spain’s public transport system continues to offer various discounts and subsidies to promote accessibility and sustainable mobility. Here’s an overview of the current pricing and initiatives:

Extended Discounts Until June 2025:

• Commuter and Medium-Distance Trains: Services like Cercanías, Rodalies, and Media Distancia remain free for all users until June 30, 2025.
• Urban and Metropolitan Transport: Tickets for metro and city buses are subsidized by 50%, with the central government covering 30% and local authorities contributing 20%.

Regional Variations:

• Barcelona: Despite the subsidies, some ticket prices have increased by 2% to 3% to adjust for inflation. The T-Usual card (monthly pass) for one zone is priced at €21.35, reflecting the 50% discount.
• Madrid: Monthly passes are subsidized up to 60%, with additional discounts for seniors and children. For instance, the standard monthly pass costs around €21.30 after subsidies.
• Valencia: Public transport is free for young people until January 31, 2025, with a 50% discount on various tickets thereafter.
• Canary and Balearic Islands: Multi-journey tickets and passes remain free throughout 2025.

Upcoming Changes from July 2025:

• Unified Commuter Pass: A nationwide commuter train pass will be introduced at €20 per month, valid across all Cercanías networks.
• Youth and Child Discounts: Children under 15 will travel for free, and young people aged 15 to 26 will have access to discounted rates.

Future Plans:

• The Spanish government aims to implement a nationwide public transport pass by 2026, allowing seamless travel across various services with a single ticket

These measures reflect Spain’s commitment to enhancing public transport accessibility and encouraging its use as a sustainable alternative to private vehicles.