Residents of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area can access unlimited public transport for just €5.90 per year using the T-Metropolitana Gratuita, a subsidised travel card managed by the Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona (AMB). This option, plus a one-time €4.50 fee for the physical T-Mobilitat card, is available to those meeting specific income, age, disability, or mobility criteria.
The T-Metropolitana replaces the old 'tarjeta rosa' (pink card) and integrates with the city-wide T-Mobilitat system. It allows unlimited journeys on metro, bus, tram, Rodalies de Catalunya and FGC commuter lines within the metropolitan network. Three variants exist: the free annual pass, a reduced-price rechargeable T-4 ticket option, and a Companion Pass for those needing assistance while travelling.
Eligibility and Income Limits
To qualify, applicants must be registered in one of the 36 municipalities of the AMB, including Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Badalona, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, and Cornellà de Llobregat. They must also meet at least one of the following conditions: be aged between 60 and 65 (depending on the municipality), have a recognised disability of 33% or more from the Generalitat de Catalunya, or fall within defined income thresholds.
For the T-Metropolitana Gratuita, gross household income per person must not exceed €9,240 annually. For the T-Metropolitana Reducida, which offers discounted 10-journey T-4 tickets, the limit rises to €18,480 per person. Household income is calculated by dividing total family earnings by the number of members.
The calculation is made by adding the household income and dividing it among its members.
Companion Pass and Application Process
The Companion Pass has no income requirement. It is issued to individuals who need help moving around public transport, based on official certification from the Secretariat of Social Inclusion and Promotion of Personal Autonomy. Applicants must be over four years old and formally registered in an AMB municipality.
Applications can be submitted online via the AMB website, using digital identification such as idCAT Mòbil or electronic DNI. Alternatively, residents may apply in person at municipal citizen service offices.
Those who previously held the tarjeta rosa and still meet current conditions have already been sent the new T-Metropolitana by post and do not need to reapply.
Primary sources: Exa. Reported by metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, METRÓPOLI, Alvaro Llagunes, blogs.amb.cat, Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life.
