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Targeta Rosa allows free or discounted travel across the Barcelona metropolitan area
Targeta Rosa remains one of the most important transport benefits for many older people and people with disabilities in Barcelona and the metropolitan area. Now integrated into T-metropolitana, this card allows free or reduced-fare travel on public transport, provided age, registration and income requirements are met.
The first requirement is to live in one of the municipalities in the Área Metropolitana de Barcelona. In the Catalan capital, Badalona, L’Hospitalet, Cornellà, El Prat, Sant Adrià, Sant Vicenç dels Horts or Santa Coloma, the card can be requested from the age of 60. In other metropolitan municipalities, the minimum age changes and may be 61, 62, 63 or 65.
People with a recognised disability of 33% or more can also apply, provided they are over four years old and have the corresponding certificate from the Generalitat. For many users, especially those who depend on public transport to go to medical appointments, do their shopping or maintain their social life, this card makes a clear difference to monthly expenditure.
The type depends on income. The free T-metropolitana Targeta Rosa is granted if gross family income per person does not exceed €9,240 per year. The reduced version, which allows use of the T-4 at a subsidised price, is available up to €18,480 per person per year. The calculation is made by adding the income of the household and dividing it by its members.
The procedure can be submitted at any time of year. It can be done in person, through the relevant municipality’s town hall, or online if you have digital identification such as idCAT, a digital certificate or Clave PIN. The application is the same for the free and reduced cards; afterwards, AMB determines which one applies according to income.
The cost also varies. The free card involves an annual fee of €6.20 and a one-off payment of €4.50 for the physical card. The reduced card has no annual fee, but does require payment of the €4.50 for the card and then loading the T-4, which works as a ten-trip subsidised ticket.
Targeta Rosa has an everyday significance that goes beyond the discount. In a city where many basic errands depend on the metro, bus or tram, making transport easier for older people or those on low incomes helps preserve autonomy, neighbourhood life and access to services. Barcelona is ageing, the cost of living is tightening and every journey saved counts for more than it seems.