Free Travel lets you use most public transport in Ireland at no cost. Here is who qualifies, how to get the card and when someone can travel free with you.
Free Travel is run by the Department of Social Protection, and your Public Services Card (PSC) is the pass. Many people get it automatically, others apply on form FT1, and it costs nothing.
Who this is for
You must live in Ireland permanently. Everyone aged 66 or over qualifies. Some people under 66 qualify too.
- People getting Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Carer's Allowance or Invalidity Pension.
- People aged 17 to 65 who are medically certified as unfit to drive for at least 12 months because of a disability.
- Blind or visually impaired people who meet the Blind Pension medical conditions.
- Some carers, and some bereaved partners aged 60 or over whose late partner had Free Travel.
- People who leave certain disability payments for work or some schemes can keep Free Travel for 5 years.
What you need
- A Public Services Card that is in date. Paper passes stopped working on 1 March 2026.
- The right form if you are not sent a card automatically (see the table below).
- To renew online: a verified MyGovID and a photo taken in the last 6 months.
- For a companion pass under 70: a medical report from your GP.
Step by step
- Check if you get it automatically. If you are 66 or over and get a State pension, or you get one of the payments listed above, the Department sends you a Free Travel card.
- If not, get form FT1 from an Intreo Centre, a Social Welfare Branch Office, a post office or a Citizens Information Centre.
- If you are medically unfit to drive, use form FTM instead. For a companion pass under 70, use form FT-U70.
- Send the form to the Free Travel Section, Department of Social Protection, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384.
- Wait about 10 days for your Free Travel Public Services Card.
- Check the code in the top left of the card: FT-P (you only), FT+S (with your spouse or partner) or FT+C (with a companion aged 16 or over).
- Show or scan the card each time you travel.
- Renew on MyWelfare or at a PSC centre if your card has expired or will expire within 45 days.
Which form to use
| Your situation | Form |
|---|---|
| Most people who are not issued a card automatically | FT1 |
| Cohabiting partner to be added | FT1, Parts 1 and 2 |
| Medically unfit to drive | FTM |
| Companion pass if you are under 70 | FT-U70 |
| Senior SmartPass for travel within Northern Ireland | FTNI1 (hand in at an Intreo Centre) |
| Lost, stolen or damaged in-date card | Phone 0818 837 000 |
How much it costs and how long it takes
Free Travel covers Iarnród Éireann trains, DART, Luas, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland and TFI Local Link. Some private bus and ferry services and some cross-border services are included too. Special services such as Dublin Bus AIRLINK are not covered.
To travel free inside Northern Ireland, you need a Senior SmartPass from age 66. Hand in form FTNI1 in person, and allow up to 6 weeks.
Common mistakes
- Travelling on an expired card or an old paper pass. Neither has worked since 1 March 2026.
- Assuming your companion can travel free in Northern Ireland. They can only use eligible cross-border services.
- Posting form FTNI1. It must be handed in at an Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.
- Waiting until your card expires to renew. You can renew up to 45 days before.
Only people with a medical need can bring a companion.
Since September 2025, everyone aged 70 or over can get an FT+C card, so a companion aged 16 or over can travel free with them.
If something goes wrong
- Free Travel Section: 0818 200 400 or 071 915 7100, freetravelqueries@welfare.ie.
- Lost, stolen or damaged card: 0818 837 000.
- Citizens Information Phone Service: 0818 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.
Related guides
- How to get a Public Services Card
- How to get a verified MyGovID
- How to apply for the State Pension (Contributory)
- How to apply for the Household Benefits Package
- How to get a Leap Card or Young Adult Leap Card
You now need an in-date Free Travel Public Services Card. Paper passes are no longer valid.
Everyone aged 70 or over became able to get a companion (FT+C) card.
Budget 2027 (6 October 2026) did not announce a change to Free Travel.
