Latest news and stories about free transport in Portugal for expats and residents.
Starting September 1, public transport will be free for all residents of the Viseu municipality. Mayor João Azevedo announced the measure as a major investment in local mobility, covering the city's urban mobility network and specific regional lines. The initiative aims to encourage the use of public transit among the local population.
Public transport in Porto is now free for all city residents, a move announced by Mayor Pedro Duarte. The policy, which was a key campaign promise, aims to improve mobility, though some local officials argue that investment in rail infrastructure remains the more effective solution for the metropolitan area.
Pedro Duarte is the Mayor of Porto, elected in the most recent local elections. He leads the city's municipal government and is responsible for implementing local policies, such as the recent initiative to provide free public transport for residents.
The Viseu City Council has unanimously approved a measure to make public transport free for all residents. The initiative, which fulfills an election promise by João Azevedo, will cost approximately one million euros and aims to support local families while addressing environmental goals. The service is expected to become free in the coming weeks following final regulatory reviews.
Porto has become the first Portuguese city to implement a free public transport system for its residents.
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Pedro Duarte announced that starting this Friday, public transport will be free for residents of Porto. “It is a very important incentive for a paradigm shift,” says the mayor.
Public transport for Porto residents will be free starting today for holders of the municipal Porto card, announced Mayor Pedro Duarte this morning, July 10. “As of today, public transport is free in the city of Porto for those who hold the Porto card,” Duarte said during a ceremony at the square in front of Trindade metro station. Annual costs are estimated at 20.5 million euros. In his speech, Duarte explained that those who already have the free pass for those under 23 “do not need to do anything.” Those with the municipal card will need to go to an Andante or Payshop store to update it, “a process that takes seconds.” Residents who do not yet have the municipal Porto card can apply online or by visiting the Citizen's Office. The free transport entitlement will be renewed annually, the mayor added. This was one of the main measures in the electoral program of the then-candidate for the PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition. Approval by the municipal assembly took place in May. The official forecast was for the free service to be implemented on January 1, 2027. However, Pedro Duarte's executive had already stated they wanted the measure in operation this summer, as is now confirmed. Porto City Council estimates the number of public transport users to be 59,381, a figure resulting from the application of the public transport modal share calculated by the diagnosis made by the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (PMUS). The number corresponds to 23.5% of the estimated resident population in 2025 (252,687). Porto has government approval for heavy vehicles to leave the VCI and wants to limit traffic in the city centre. Lisbon Municipal Assembly extends free public transport for the elderly until 2029.
Public transport will become free for those who live in the city of Porto.
The measure, scheduled for January 1, 2027, was passed with only a vote against from Chega and abstentions from the CDU and the municipal group 'Filipe Araújo: Fazer à Porto'. The estimate is 59,381 users, which corresponds to 23.5% of the resident population.
Cascais wants to go further with free mobility. After buses, the municipality is now considering extending that policy to the train. How much would it cost to make this mode of transport free? Listen to the new episode of Economia dia a dia, Expresso's daily podcast, hosted by Juliana Simões.
Home News Free New Year’s Eve transport Free New Year’s Eve transport The municipality of Guimarães will provide free public transport on New Year's Eve.
