Berlin public transport: the fine, validation and contactless payment (2026)
According to BVG, Berlin’s public transport company, checked on 31 October 2026, riding without a valid ticket costs a €60 fine (the “increased transportation fee”), and paper tickets must be stamped at the yellow or red validators before the trip, while app tickets must be activated before the journey begins.
Fines and payment rules change, often at the start of the year. We quote the transport company’s own pages word for word, with the date we checked them; this is information, not legal advice. The inspector, the fine notice and the official page decide.
At a glance
| Network | BVG U-Bahn, trams and buses |
|---|---|
| Fine without a valid ticket | €60 (€7 if you forgot a personal BVG subscription and prove it within 7 days) |
| Contactless bank card | Not stated on the BVG pages we read: buy tickets at machines, BVG shops or in the BVG apps |
| Validate or tap? | Yes: stamp paper tickets at the yellow or red validators; activate app tickets before you travel |
| How to pay | Ticket machines, BVG customer centres and shops, BVG apps |
| Change announced | None on the pages we read |
| Checked | 31 October 2026 |
What the official sources say
Fines
You did not have a valid ticket at the time of the ticket control - for whatever reason. In this case you have to bite the bullet and pay the full 60 € fine.
You have a personalized BVG subscription, but have forgotten your fahrCard. In this case, you have 7 days to prove that you were the owner of the fahrCard at the time of the ticket control and will only have to pay a processing fee of €7 instead of the €60 fine.
Source: BVG: Ticket control – information about fines and legal rights (BVG (Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
How to pay
Where can I buy tickets? You can get tickets: at ticket machines in stations and at stops at BVG customer centers and shops via the BVG-Apps (Fahrinfo-App, Ticket-App, Jelbi-App)
Source: BVG: FAQ for tourists (BVG (Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Validating and tapping
Do I have to validate my ticket before starting my trip? Yes, paper tickets must be stamped at the yellow or red validators (boxes). Digital tickets must be activated in the app before the journey begins, if not already done at the time of purchase.
Source: BVG: FAQ for tourists (BVG (Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Driving instead?
Driving in Germany, do you need an international driving permit? UK licence · Canadian licence · Australian licence
Other cities
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Questions
What is the fine for no ticket in Berlin?
BVG says: “You did not have a valid ticket at the time of the ticket control - for whatever reason. In this case you have to bite the bullet and pay the full 60 € fine.” “You have a personalized BVG subscription, but have forgotten your fahrCard. In this case, you have 7 days to prove that you were the owner of the fahrCard at the time of the ticket control and will only have to pay a processing fee of €7 instead of the €60 fine.”
Do you need to validate tickets in Berlin?
Yes. BVG says: “Do I have to validate my ticket before starting my trip? Yes, paper tickets must be stamped at the yellow or red validators (boxes). Digital tickets must be activated in the app before the journey begins, if not already done at the time of purchase.”
How do you pay for the metro in Berlin?
BVG lists these places to buy tickets: “Where can I buy tickets? You can get tickets: at ticket machines in stations and at stops at BVG customer centers and shops via the BVG-Apps (Fahrinfo-App, Ticket-App, Jelbi-App)” The BVG pages we read do not mention paying by tapping a bank card at the gate or on board.
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