Can I get the Free Travel Scheme in Ireland?
Yes automatically at 66 or over, and conditionally for some under-66s. Everyone aged 66+ living permanently in Ireland qualifies automatically — if you get a State Pension, Free Travel goes on your Public Services Card with no application and no time-of-day restrictions. Under-66s qualify if they get Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Carer's Allowance or Invalidity Pension, or are medically certified as unable to drive due to disability. From 29 September 2025, everyone aged 70+ automatically gets a Free Travel Companion card, letting one person aged 16+ travel with them free; under-70s who can't travel alone can apply for the same. Card codes show whether a spouse (FT+S) or companion (FT+C) also travels free. In short: yes — free at 66+, with companion cover from 70.
📋 The rules
- Automatic at 66+ (on your Public Services Card)
- No time-of-day restrictions
- Under-66s qualify on certain disability/carer payments
- From 70, a companion (16+) travels free
- Card codes show spouse (FT+S) / companion (FT+C) cover
🔓 Exceptions
- Island residents get a number of free air/ferry trips a year
- A bereaved partner 60+ can keep Free Travel on a qualifying payment
- Moving from a disability payment into work keeps Free Travel for 5 years
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Free Travel is free (€0). A key deadline: from 1 March 2026, paper Free Travel Passes are no longer valid and expired Public Services Cards can't be used — you need an in-date Free Travel PSC. Renew via MyWelfare or a PSC centre, and replace a lost in-date card by phoning the DSP. A Senior SmartPass (free travel within Northern Ireland for over-66s) can take up to 6 weeks and lasts 5 years. The card codes matter: FT-P means you travel free, FT+S adds a spouse, FT+C a companion. Beware a myth: "a spouse or companion can always travel free" is false — that only applies if your card carries the relevant code, and some under-66s (via Carer's Allowance or the unfit-to-drive route) can't bring a spouse free. To get it: it's usually automatic at 66 with your pension; otherwise apply to the DSP.
📎 Official sources
- Citizens Information — Free Travel →
- gov.ie — Free Travel Scheme →
- gov.ie — over-70 companion Free Travel card →
❓ Frequently asked
Who qualifies for Free Travel?
Everyone aged 66 or over and living permanently in Ireland qualifies automatically. People under 66 qualify if they're getting certain payments, such as Disability Allowance, the Blind Pension, Carer's Allowance or Invalidity Pension, or if they're medically certified as unable to drive because of a disability. It covers public transport with no time restrictions.
Do I have to apply for it?
If you're 66 or over and getting a State Pension, Free Travel is added to your Public Services Card automatically, so you don't need to apply. If you qualify another way — for example through a disability payment — you may need to apply to the Department of Social Protection to have it added to your card.
Can someone travel with me for free?
From 29 September 2025, everyone aged 70 or over automatically gets a Free Travel Companion card, which lets any one person aged 16 or over travel with them free of charge. Under-70s who can't travel alone for medical reasons can apply for a companion card too. A spouse may travel free if your card shows the FT+S code.
What changed from 1 March 2026?
From 1 March 2026, paper Free Travel Passes are no longer valid, and you can't use an expired Public Services Card for free travel. You need an in-date Free Travel Public Services Card. If yours has expired, renew it through MyWelfare or at a PSC centre to keep using free public transport.
Does Free Travel work in Northern Ireland?
People aged 66 and over can apply for a Senior SmartPass, which gives free travel within Northern Ireland. It's separate from the Republic's Free Travel Scheme and can take up to six weeks to be issued. The SmartPass is valid for five years, after which you need to renew it.
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