The executive unanimously approved submitting to the Municipal Assembly a proposal from the vice-president, Gonçalo Reis (PSD), to add an addendum to the agreement on “free public transport” for “young people and seniors over 65, with tax domicile in Lisbon”.

According to the mayor, Carlos Moedas (PSD), quoted in a statement, “Lisbon is one of the few cities in Europe that has free public transport” and the measure aims to “give a very clear signal” of the commitment to “decarbonizing the city, the climate transition, air quality and reducing vehicle traffic”.

“This is a very important proposal, which has already resulted in a significant increase in the use of public transport in our city, by both young and old people,” he added.

The municipality decided in 2022, during Carlos Moedas' first term, in coordination with the State and the Metropolitan Region of Lisbon, to adopt free access to the Navegante Urbano 3ª Idade (Urban Traveler for Seniors) pass and passes for young people with tax domicile in Lisbon.

“Free public transport for those over 65, in effect since July 2022, has been a decisive instrument for promoting social cohesion and strengthening the inclusion of the elderly population in the economic, social, and cultural life of the city, mitigating barriers to access to essential services, healthcare, cultural facilities, and social support networks,” the proposal reads.

The measure also contributed “to the promotion of sustainable mobility” and “municipal objectives regarding climate transition, air quality, and reduction of vehicle traffic, by encouraging the transfer of journeys from individual transport to the urban and metropolitan public transport network.”

“The experience accumulated between 2022 and 2025 shows a significant and stable uptake by the segment of beneficiaries over 65, a clearly positive social impact,” the text considers, noting that the generalization of free transport for young people, at the national and metropolitan level, led to the cessation of the need for the municipality to maintain this benefit.

In this context, “the reasons of public interest that led to the creation of free public transport for the over-65s remain, to a high degree,” and it is “appropriate to proceed with its renewal and stabilization for the period 2026–2029,” the proposal states.

The mayor is mandated to coordinate with the State the changes to the agreement, without exceeding the total amount, including VAT, of €8.5 million annually until 2029, and to sign the addendum with Transportes Metropolitanos de Lisboa (TML).