Free public transport in Rotterdam for kids and AOW residents

Rotterdam residents aged 4 to 11 and those who have reached the Dutch state pension age (AOW) can travel free on eligible public transport services. This guide explains who qualifies, where the free travel applies, how to apply and what will change for pensioners in 2027.

Important update, 18 October 2026: Rotterdam's universal free public transport scheme for AOW-age residents ends on 31 December 2026. A replacement arrangement is being developed for pensioners with incomes of up to 110% of the statutory social minimum. It could begin on 1 March 2027, and arrangements for the intervening period have not yet been confirmed. The current free travel rules for children remain in place. Read the municipality's announcement.

Who qualifies for free public transport?

Children aged 4 to 11: Children registered as residents of Rotterdam can travel free on eligible RET buses, trams and metro services when accompanied by a paying adult. They need a personal OV-chipkaart with the free travel subscription activated. The subscription is valid throughout the day, every day of the week, and ends when the child turns 12.

AOW-eligible residents: Rotterdam residents who have reached the Dutch state pension age can currently travel free on eligible RET services using a personal OV-chipkaart with the appropriate subscription. Until 31 December 2026, there is no income threshold for the municipal scheme. However, the existing universal arrangement will end after that date.

What changes for pensioners in 2027?

From 1 January 2027, Rotterdam will discontinue free public transport for all AOW-eligible residents regardless of income. The municipality has instead reached an agreement with transport operators RET and EBS to develop a replacement scheme for lower-income pensioners.

Under the proposed arrangement, AOW-eligible residents with incomes of up to 110% of the wettelijk sociaal minimum (WSM), or statutory social minimum, will continue to qualify for free travel. The municipality estimates that approximately 20,000 residents could benefit.

The replacement could begin on 1 March 2027. That leaves a possible gap during January and February, for which Rotterdam, RET and EBS are still working on a temporary solution. The municipality has not yet published the final application procedure or confirmed how the transition will work.

If you currently receive free public transport through the AOW scheme, you can continue using it under the existing conditions until 31 December 2026. According to the municipality, applications for the current scheme remain possible until 30 November 2026. Residents affected by the changes will receive further information from the municipality.

Check the latest information about the 2027 changes.

Where and when can you travel for free?

Both the children's subscription and the current AOW subscription cover all RET bus and tram routes, as well as metro lines A, B, C and D. On metro line E, free travel is restricted to the section between Slinge and Berkel Westpolder. Travel beyond Berkel Westpolder towards The Hague is not covered by these subscriptions. RET's BOB night buses are also excluded.

The permitted travel times differ:

• Children aged 4 to 11: Free travel is available all day, every day, provided the child is accompanied by a paying adult.
• AOW-eligible residents: Free travel begins at 09:00 from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, Sundays and recognised national public holidays, it is available throughout the day.

These are the current 2026 conditions. The municipality intends to preserve the existing travel conditions for pensioners who qualify under the new income-based scheme, but the final 2027 rules have not yet been published.

How to apply for free public transport

For children: Parents or guardians must first obtain a personal OV-chipkaart for their child. The card costs €7.50 and is valid for five years. They can then apply for the free travel subscription through the Municipality of Rotterdam. The subscription itself is free. After applying, the RET normally sends instructions within three weeks explaining how to load the subscription onto the child's card at a collection point.

Apply for free public transport for children.

For AOW-eligible residents: The current free travel subscription can be requested through the municipality's application service. Residents need their own personal OV-chipkaart, with applications possible up to two weeks before reaching the AOW age. The municipality states that 30 November 2026 is the final application date under the existing scheme.

Apply for the current AOW free travel subscription.

Although the Netherlands is transitioning from the OV-chipkaart to the new OV-pas, Rotterdam says subscribers to these free travel schemes cannot yet transfer their subscriptions to an OV-pas. Keep using your personal OV-chipkaart until the municipality announces a change. You can find card information at OV-chipkaart.nl.

Extra arrangements for Rozenburg

Rozenburg has additional free travel arrangements through bus operator EBS, alongside the RET scheme.

Children: Children aged 4 to 11 can request a free Rozenburg child day ticket from the driver when boarding EBS bus routes 105 or 115. The ticket also permits travel on EBS buses elsewhere in Voorne-Putten and Rozenburg. A paying adult must accompany the child, but no separate OV-chipkaart or advance registration is needed for this ticket.

AOW-eligible residents: Rozenburg pensioners can currently qualify for separate RET and EBS free travel subscriptions. The EBS product covers bus services in Rozenburg and Voorne-Putten from 09:00 on weekdays and all day at weekends and on national holidays. It must be activated on a personal OV-chipkaart.

As EBS is involved in the proposed 2027 replacement scheme, Rozenburg residents should also check the new eligibility arrangements when they are announced.

Read the EBS children's ticket conditions.

Rules worth remembering

You must always check in and out with your personal OV-chipkaart when using the RET free travel subscriptions, even though no fare is charged for a qualifying journey. If you travel outside the permitted area or time, the normal fare may be charged to your card.

The free RET subscription cannot be combined on the same OV-chipkaart with travel-on-account products such as NS Flex. Children must travel with a paying adult, and the free travel entitlement is personal rather than transferable between family members.

There is also a change on the horizon for children's travel. Rotterdam's proposed 2027 budget refers to nationwide free public transport for children aged 4 to 11 from 2027, replacing the need for the municipality to fund its existing scheme separately. However, the detailed arrangements have not yet been explained in the municipality's current application guidance. Until new instructions are published, families should follow the existing conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Can a child travel alone for free?
No. Children using the Rotterdam free travel subscription must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Does a child need an OV-chipkaart?
Yes, for the regular free RET subscription. The separate EBS child day ticket issued on routes 105 and 115 in Rozenburg does not require one.

Do I have to check in and out when the journey is free?
Yes. You must check in and out using the personal OV-chipkaart carrying your subscription.

Can pensioners travel free before 09:00?
Under the current scheme, free weekday travel starts at 09:00. At weekends and on national holidays, eligible pensioners can travel free throughout the day.

Is free travel valid on night buses?
No. RET's BOB night buses are excluded.

Will every pensioner lose free public transport in 2027?
No. Rotterdam is developing a replacement scheme for AOW-eligible residents whose incomes do not exceed 110% of the statutory social minimum. The final arrangements have not yet been confirmed.

Do I need to apply again for the new 2027 pensioner scheme?
The municipality has not yet announced the application procedure. Residents will receive information once the replacement scheme has been finalised.

For the latest rules and application details, visit the municipality's children's travel page or its AOW free travel page.