ROTTERDAM, 5 November 2026 | RET is moving its monthly public transport subscriptions to OVpay, allowing passengers to link their travel products to a debit card, credit card or the new OV-pas. The change marks another step towards the retirement of the familiar OV-chipkaart, with several important deadlines approaching for Rotterdam travellers who still use the older system.
Since 1 November 2026, the old Regiomaand subscription has no longer been available for the OV-chipkaart. Its replacement, Regio Vrij, works through OVpay and allows passengers to travel within a selected area for a fixed monthly price.
Meanwhile, RET's existing 20% and 40% monthly discount subscriptions will remain available for the OV-chipkaart until the end of December 2026, giving passengers a little more time to make the switch.
Which RET subscriptions are now available through OVpay?
RET currently offers three main monthly subscription options through its new system:
- RET 20% Korting: A monthly subscription offering a 20% discount on eligible RET journeys.
- RET 40% Korting: A monthly subscription offering a 40% discount on eligible RET journeys.
- Regio Vrij: Unlimited travel within a selected area of the Rotterdam-The Hague region for a fixed monthly fee.
All three can be purchased through the RET app or online shop and linked to a supported debit card, credit card or OV-pas.
These are personal subscriptions, meaning travellers must register their name, date of birth and a passport-style photograph. At the time of purchase, passengers can generally choose a starting date up to three months in advance, although that period may be shorter around the end of the year while new fares are being introduced.
We previously covered how Regio Vrij works and which areas it covers, including the differences between regional travel zones.
Do you run a business? RotterdamStyle is looking for a main sponsor. Get exclusive visibility across our website for a fixed fee. Interested? Contact us 🤝
Important deadlines for OV-chipkaart users
Passengers who still use an OV-chipkaart should pay particular attention to the approaching deadlines.
The former Regiomaand subscription stopped being sold for the OV-chipkaart on 1 November 2026. Travellers looking for a new regional monthly subscription must now choose Regio Vrij through OVpay.
RET MaandKorting 20% and RET MaandKorting 40% remain available for the old OV-chipkaart until 31 December 2026, through RET's online shop and service points.
After that date, these older discount subscriptions will no longer be sold. Existing subscriptions can still be used until their expiry, but no later than 30 January 2027.
That does not mean every OV-chipkaart suddenly becomes unusable at the end of January. The Netherlands is gradually moving away from the old card system, and other travel products may follow different transition arrangements.
Monthly or ongoing subscription: what's the difference?
One of the advantages of the new OV-pas is the option to purchase an ongoing RET discount subscription.
Passengers using RET 20% Korting or RET 40% Korting can choose a recurring subscription instead of purchasing a new monthly product every time their existing one expires.
There is one important restriction: ongoing RET discount subscriptions are only available on the OV-pas. They cannot currently be linked to a debit card or credit card.
Standard monthly subscriptions, on the other hand, can be linked to any of the three supported card types.
The new OV-pas also supports automatic balance top-ups. Travellers who enable this feature can avoid running out of travel credit when their balance becomes too low.
Do you run a business? RotterdamStyle is looking for a main sponsor. Get exclusive visibility across our website for a fixed fee. Interested? Contact us 🤝
How to switch from the OV-chipkaart to OVpay
For most passengers, switching to the new system begins with deciding whether to use an existing payment card or obtain a separate OV-pas.
If you prefer travelling with your bank card or credit card, you can link a supported monthly subscription to that card. When travelling, you must check in and out with the same card to receive the subscription benefits.
Alternatively, you can order the new OV-pas, which works as a dedicated public transport card. The OV-pas costs €6, is valid for five years and can be topped up online or automatically through your OVpay account.
Be careful if you regularly switch between a physical bank card and the same card stored on your phone or smartwatch. OVpay treats these as separate payment methods, so a subscription linked to one does not automatically apply to the other.
Passengers can purchase RET subscriptions through the RET travel products page or RET app.
For information about obtaining an OV-pas, setting up automatic top-ups or moving away from the OV-chipkaart, visit the official OVpay transition guide.
Not every traveller needs to switch immediately
Although RET is moving its regular monthly subscriptions to OVpay, some other public transport arrangements still require an OV-chipkaart.
That includes certain student travel products, NS subscriptions and municipal free-travel arrangements that have not yet been transferred to the new system.
If you use one of these products, check the conditions before replacing your card. The OVpay transition guide can help determine whether your particular subscription is ready to move.
For Rotterdam passengers with standard monthly RET subscriptions, however, the direction is clear. The OV-chipkaart is gradually giving way to a system where travel discounts and subscriptions are linked directly to a bank card or the new OV-pas.
