Free Travel Scheme
Free travel on public transport owned by the State, including bus, rail, Local Link and Luas, with some exceptions.
Last checked October 2026
What it is
Free travel on public transport for people aged 66 or over and others.
Who can get it
- You are aged 66 or over and legally living permanently in the State
- You are under 66, legally living permanently in the State and getting Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Carer's Allowance or Invalidity Pension. If you are under 66 and get Carer's Allowance you may get a single status card only (FT-P)
- You are aged over 17 and under 66 and medically certified as unfit to drive for at least 12 months. People who have never been medically fit to drive because of a disability may also qualify
- Other routes under 66 include being blind or visually impaired and meeting the Blind Pension medical conditions. A bereaved partner from age 60 may also qualify if they lived with their late partner permanently when they died, their late partner had free travel and they now get a qualifying payment
- From 1 March 2026 you need a valid, in-date Free Travel Public Services Card to use free travel. Paper passes no longer work. Check the expiry date on the front of the card and renew it on MyWelfare or at a PSC centre. Allow 10 days for delivery
- The department sends the card automatically in two cases. One is if you are 66 or over and getting a social welfare pension. The other is if you are under 66 and getting Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, Disability Allowance or Carer's Allowance or you have been approved as medically certified as unfit to drive. You must be SAFE registered and your Public Services Card must not have expired. If not, the department asks you to register or renew first. In other cases you apply on form FT1 or on form FTM if you are applying as medically certified unfit to drive
- It covers Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, DART, Luas and Local Link, plus some private bus and ferry operators. It does not cover Dublin Bus Airlink services, excursion or special services, organised group journeys or first class travel unless you pay the fare supplement
- The code on your card shows who can travel with you: FT-P means only you, FT+S means your spouse, partner or cohabitant and FT+C means a companion can travel with you. Older cardholders can get a Companion card without a medical test. The official page gives the age. If you already hold a Free Travel card and are under 70, you can apply if a medical condition means you cannot travel alone (form FT U/70, with a medical report from your doctor). There are other under 70 routes, for example for some wheelchair users and blind people. The official page sets out the conditions
- You can travel free between Ireland and Northern Ireland, but not within Northern Ireland. The journey must start in one country and end in the other, by bus or train, not both. For travel within Northern Ireland you need to be 66 or over, hold a Free Travel card and get a Senior SmartPass card
How to apply
If the card does not come automatically, complete form FT1 and send it with your supporting documents to the Free Travel Section, Department of Social Protection, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384. If you are under 66 and medically certified as unfit to drive, use form FTM instead. Forms are also available at Intreo centres and Citizens Information Centres. To renew an expired card, use MyWelfare or your local PSC centre.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 7 October 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
Who qualifies for the Free Travel Scheme?
Everyone aged 66 or over who is legally living permanently in the State. Some people under 66 may qualify too, including people getting Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Carer's Allowance or Invalidity Pension.
Do I have to apply for Free Travel at 66?
Not always. The department sends the card automatically in two cases. One is if you are 66 or over and getting a social welfare pension. The other is if you are under 66 and getting Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, Disability Allowance or Carer's Allowance or you have been approved as medically certified as unfit to drive. You must be SAFE registered and your Public Services Card must not have expired. If not, the department asks you to register or renew first. In other cases you apply on form FT1 or on form FTM if you are applying as medically certified unfit to drive.
Do my old Free Travel paper pass or expired card still work?
No. From 1 March 2026 you need a valid, in-date Free Travel Public Services Card. Renew it on MyWelfare or at your local PSC centre.
Can I use Free Travel in Northern Ireland?
You can travel free between Ireland and Northern Ireland and back. The journey must start in one country and end in the other, by bus or train, not both. For travel within Northern Ireland you must be 66 or over, have a Free Travel card and get a Senior SmartPass card.
Related guides
- Carer's Allowance
- Carer's Support Grant
- Domiciliary Care Allowance
- Carer's Benefit
- Home Carer Tax Credit
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