Lisbon public transport: the fine, validation and contactless payment (2026)
According to Metropolitano de Lisboa, the Lisbon Metro, checked on 31 October 2026, travelling without a valid ticket is punishable with a fine from €120 to €350 for a serious offence, with a 50% reduction if you pay voluntarily to the inspector or at the Metro offices within 15 weekdays; you can also travel by tapping a contactless bank card at the validators.
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 | Lisbon Metro |
|---|---|
| Fine without a valid ticket | €120 to €350 for a serious offence (50% off if paid to the inspector or within 15 weekdays) |
| Contactless bank card | Yes: tap a contactless bank card at the Metro validators, no ticket needed |
| Validate or tap? | Yes: tap your card or ticket at the validator |
| How to pay | Contactless bank card at the validators, or a ticket |
| Change announced | None on the pages we read |
| Checked | 31 October 2026 |
What the official sources say
Fines
Lack of a valid ticket/card, travelling with an invalid ticket/card or refusal to allow the Metro ticket inspectors or the contactless system to verify the ticket’s validity, is punishable with a fine ranging from 120€ to 350€, in case of a serious offense.
For minor offenses, the minimum and maximum fines are reduced by 75% for first offenses and by 40% for repeated offenses.
Offending passengers may benefit from a 50% reduction if they voluntarily pay the applicable fines directly to the ticket inspector or at the Metro offices within 15 weekdays following notice,
Source: Metro Lisboa: Legal information (Metropolitano de Lisboa), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
How to pay
Did you know you can travel on the Metro using just your contactless bank card directly at the validators? No ticket, no queues, no fuss.
Source: Metro Lisboa: Metro + bank card (Metropolitano de Lisboa), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Validating and tapping
Hold your contactless bank card up to the validator. Enjoy the journey. The charge is applied automatically. No further action required on your part.
Source: Metro Lisboa: Metro + bank card (Metropolitano de Lisboa), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Driving instead?
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Other cities
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Questions
What is the fine on the Lisbon metro?
Metro Lisboa says: “Lack of a valid ticket/card, travelling with an invalid ticket/card or refusal to allow the Metro ticket inspectors or the contactless system to verify the ticket’s validity, is punishable with a fine ranging from 120€ to 350€, in case of a serious offense.” “Offending passengers may benefit from a 50% reduction if they voluntarily pay the applicable fines directly to the ticket inspector or at the Metro offices within 15 weekdays following notice,”
Does the Lisbon metro take contactless?
Yes. Metro Lisboa says: “Did you know you can travel on the Metro using just your contactless bank card directly at the validators? No ticket, no queues, no fuss.” “Hold your contactless bank card up to the validator. Enjoy the journey. The charge is applied automatically. No further action required on your part.”
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