Public transport in Spain will become significantly more affordable starting January 2026, as the government plans to introduce a national travel pass priced at €60 per month, just under €2 per day. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on private cars and boost sustainable mobility. Residents under 26 will pay a reduced rate of €30 per month, according to METRO.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez unveiled the program on December 15, stating that the pass will “forever change how Spaniards understand and use public transport.” He also said the scheme could help some workers cut monthly commuting costs by up to 60%.
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The announcement comes at a sensitive moment for Sánchez, who faces political pressure over corruption and sexual harassment allegations involving figures close to him. In his speech, he stressed that despite calls for early elections, his party has no intention of stepping down.
How the new travel pass is expected to work
Full details on how passengers will purchase the pass have not yet been confirmed, though more information is expected ahead of the mid-January 2026 launch. Once subscribed, passengers will have unlimited access to regional and suburban rail services — including Cercanías and Media Distancia — as well as the national bus network. The government plans to encourage regional and municipal authorities to join the initiative so that metro, urban buses and metropolitan transport may gradually be included.
Currently, the only subsidised option for residents is the Cercanías monthly pass, priced at €20. Tourists typically use the Renfe Spain Pass, which offers 4 to 10 journeys within 30 days, including high-speed AVE trains.
It remains unclear whether tourists will have access to the new national pass. Elsewhere in Europe, similar travel schemes are open to visitors. Germany’s Deutschlandticket costs about €60 per month and covers buses, trams, metros and regional trains nationwide. Hungary’s Hungary Pass, priced at roughly €49, works similarly and is also available to tourists.
Photo: CNN
