Madrid's regional government will keep public transport pass prices and existing discounts unchanged throughout 2026, extending relief for millions of residents who rely on the network daily. The policy continues the extraordinary transport subsidies introduced in recent years. Under the national funding structure, Royal Decree-Law 17/2025, state aid for urban and metropolitan transport, Cercanías, Media Distancia and state bus services is scheduled to run through December 31, 2026. That deadline does not mean every Madrid fare will rise on January 1, 2027: regional authorities and municipalities can finance additional reductions independently.
The standard 30-day pass for Zone A, covering central Madrid, will remain at €32.70. Passes for Zones B1, B2 and B3/C1/C2 will cost €38.20, €43.20 and €49.20, respectively. E1 and E2 passes will stay at €66.30 and €79.00, while the 10-trip ticket for Metro, EMT and ML1 will cost €7.30. Fares vary by zone and product across a network that includes Metro, buses, Cercanías, intercity services and light rail.
Basic Groups Protected
The youth pass for people aged 15 to 25 will remain €10 per month, with unlimited travel across the Community of Madrid. Children up to age 14 and people aged 65 or older will keep free travel under the regional fare structure. The Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid lists the youth pass as a flat-rate product valid across all zones.
Adults aged 26 to 64 will continue to receive a 40% discount on standard passes. That matters for residents commuting from outside the city center by Metro, Cercanías, intercity bus or light rail. Additional reductions for large families and people with officially recognized disabilities will also remain in place.
The regional free Abono +65 is separate from Madrid city’s Tarjeta Azul. The Abono +65 is renewable for 365 days and covers the regional network up to Zone C2. The Tarjeta Azul, by contrast, is reported at €3.70 for 30 days and covers EMT, Metro Zone A and ML1; its price includes a temporary 40% reduction. The two products have different eligibility conditions, coverage and validity periods.
The 2026 national Abono Único is separate from Madrid’s zonal passes. It costs €60 for 30 days, or €30 for young people, and applies to eligible Cercanías, selected Media Distancia and participating state-bus services.
New Residency Requirement
While fares remain unchanged, a new rule will affect people applying for a Personal Public Transport Card or requesting a replacement. Starting June 15, 2026, applicants must prove residence in a municipality within the Community of Madrid, in areas E1 or E2, or in towns covered by agreements with Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla y León. They will typically need a valid certificate of registration, though applicants may authorize authorities to check their details directly where possible. Holders of large family cards are temporarily exempt to maintain access to their benefits.
Impact and Context
By maintaining current prices and discounts, Madrid aims to protect vulnerable residents and frequent public transport users from rising costs. Official estimates put the number of people using the region's public transport system at around six million. The fare measures extend a multi-year subsidy policy rather than introduce a new ticketing system, giving passengers predictable costs through 2026.
Digital validation is a separate operational change. The Community of Madrid presented the Mi Tarjeta Transporte app on January 15, 2026, initially allowing Android phones to validate travel cards. The launch was expected to benefit more than three million users. Annual-pass cards may still need to be blocked and replaced in person, particularly for minors without a DNI.
Talent24h notes that stable fares and targeted discounts let students, workers, families and pensioners continue relying on affordable mobility. The new residency requirement adds an administrative step for newcomers and people seeking card replacements. Continued transport aid gives households greater certainty through the end of 2026.
