ROTTERDAM, 6 February 2026 – The OV-chipkaart is on its way out, and the Netherlands is moving to OVpay: tapping in and out with a new OV-pass or your own bank card. For you in Rotterdam, that means the same familiar motion at the gate or validator, but with a different system behind it.
The change is being framed as a necessary replacement because the OV-chipkaart technology is now considered outdated. OVpay is positioned as its successor, alongside paying with your debit card.
What changes for travel in Rotterdam
The basics stay recognisable: you tap a card against the reader, and you are good to go. OVpay covers travel across the Netherlands on train, bus, tram and metro, so you will see it across Rotterdam’s public transport network as well.
Instead of relying on the OV-chipkaart, you will use either a new OV-pass (OV-pas) or your own bank card (betaalpas) to check in and out.
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OVpay account replaces the old routine
With the new OV-pass, the idea is that more of the admin moves online. You manage settings such as age-related discounts through an OVpay account, rather than handling it through the older OV-chipkaart set-up.
You also top up balance inside your OVpay account, meaning you do not need to go to a ticket machine just to add credit.
Costs and validity of the OV-pass
The new OV-pass costs €6 and is valid for five years. If you want one, you can order it via: https://ovpay.nl/ov-pas
For broader information about the system, OVpay points people to: https://www.ovpay.nl/
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