This initiative, which is available in several regions of the country, allows easier access to public transport, and Postal has outlined how to benefit from the passes.
Who is entitled to the free social pass?
In 2025, the eligible categories are:
Students:
Age 23 or younger;
Enrolled in educational institutions recognized by the Ministry of Education;
Residents in regions covered by the program.
Elderly:
Age 65 or over;
Resident in Portugal;
Income below the limit defined by regional or local legislation.
Other categories (depending on region):
People with reduced mobility;
Beneficiaries of other social programs.
How does the free social pass work?
The initiative is integrated into the public transport systems of major cities and metropolitan regions. The free pass allows unlimited use of buses, suburban trains, metro and trams in defined zones.
Cities covered: Lisbon, Porto, Faro, and other metropolitan and intermunicipal areas.
Validity: Normally issued for a period of 12 months, renewable annually.
Modalities: Some passes may include additional discounts for intercity travel or special connections.
How to join the program in 2025?
Required documents:
Identification document (Citizen Card or Identity Card);
Proof of residence (certificate issued by the parish council);
Declaration of enrolment at the educational institution (for students);
Proof of income (for senior citizens, when applicable).
Subscription channels:
In person: At the service points of transport operators or city halls.
Online: Through the program's official portal or websites of participating city halls.
Deadlines: Registrations can be made throughout the year, but it is advisable to renew the pass before it expires to avoid interruptions in use.
What's new for 2025
Program Expansion: New regions and transportation operators are joining the program.
Digitization: Entry of passes in digital format for use through mobile applications.
Automatic exemption: Beneficiaries enrolled in other social programs may be automatically included.
This sounded attractive until I realised the implications of trying to work out income for this purpose. My husband and I are well over the senior age and we're both residents, but income comes from various sources and countries, has a lot of deductions, and varies annually according to exchange rates. Our accountant works it out for us, but I suspect that the councils would require a fixed income. I should love to travel around a bit in the Algarve without my car, as I am less and less able to drive, but I don't think it possible.
By Vowles from Algarve on 26 Jan 2025, 06:26