We are going to switch
The OV-chipkaart is being phased out. OVpay is the new way to check in and out when using public transport. You can use your debit card, credit card, mobile phone or the new OV-pas. With OVpay, you can travel anywhere in the Netherlands by train, bus, tram, and metro. OVpay is the successor to the familiar OV-chipkaart..
As a result, OV-chipkaart subscriptions will also be discontinued. They will be replaced by new OVpay subscriptions. An added bonus: you no longer need to to collect your subscription from a ticket machine. For convenience, switch to OVpay now.
Debet card or OV-pas?
With OVpay, you can choose which type of card you want to use to check in and out:
- your physical debit card or credit card
- your digital debit/credit card on your mobile phone or smartwatch
- your new physical OV-pas
All our OVpay products are available on the debit card and credit card. Convenient, because you no longer need a separate travel card.
Prefer not to travel with your debit or credit card and want to use a dedicated card for public transport? No problem! The OV-pas does work with all of our OVpay subscriptions and products.
Never pay more than €10 per day with U-OV
With OVpay, you’ll never pay more than €10 per day when travelling with U-OV. There’s nothing you need to activate, simply check in and out with your debit card, credit card, mobile phone or OV-pas. Young people aged 12-18 never pay more than €6.50 per day, but they do need to link their age to their card.
Read more at U-OV Max Day.

With which subscription on the OV-chipkaart do you travel now?
Click below on the subscription you're currently using and find out which OVpay product is best for you.
Note: Do you also have a subscription with another operator? Then please check that operator’s website to see what options are available for switching to OVpay for that specific subscription.
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Are you currently traveling with a U-OV Gemak subscription on your OV-chipkaart? You can use it until the end of your subscription. After that, you can switch to the OVpay subscription: U-OV Max Month.
U-OV Max Month- Activate it once for free on your debit card, credit card or the new OV-pas. This subscription can also be linked to the digital debit or credit card on your mobile phone or smartwatch. However, we recommend loading the subscription onto a physical debit card, credit card, or OV-pas. This is because banks frequently replace your digital card (without you noticing), causing the subscription to be removed from the card.
- Unlimited travel on U-OV buses and trams throughout the entire province of Utrecht.
- Never pay more than €100 per month. Travel less? Then you'll pay less, namely the normal balance fare. Have you reached your monthly amount? Then you travel completely free for the rest of that month!
- Are you between 12 and 18 years old? Then you'll pay a maximum of €65 per month after activating U-OV Max. Please link your age to the pass you'll be using via our website.
Read more about U-OV Max Month
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Are you currently traveling with a U-OV Dal Voordeel subscription on your OV-chipkaart? You can use it until the end of your subscription. After that, you can switch to one of the following two OVpay products: U-OV Max Day or U-OV Dal Vrij.
U-OV Max Day- Don't travel very often? Then choose U-OV Max Day. With this, you'll never pay more than €10 per day at U-OV when you travel with your debit card, credit card, mobile phone, or the new OV-pas.
- Unlimited travel on all U-OV buses and trams throughout the entire province of Utrecht.
- No sign‑up required, just check in and start traveling!
- Are you between 12 and 18 years old? Go to u-ov.nl/max to see how you’ll never pay more than €6.50 per day with U-OV.
- Tip: activate U-OV Max Month for free as well.
Read more about U-OV Max Day
U-OV Dal Vrij:
- Unlimited off‑peak travel on all U-OV buses and trams throughout the entire province of Utrecht for just €30 per month.
- This is a continuous monthly subscription on your debit card, credit card or the new OV-pas. This subscription can also be linked to the digital debit or credit card on your mobile phone or smartwatch. However, we recommend loading the subscription onto a physical debit card, credit card, or OV-pas. This is because banks frequently replace your digital card (without you noticing), causing the subscription to be removed from the card.
- Off-peak hours are:
- Monday to Friday: 09:00–16:00 and 18:30–06:30
- Weekends: from Friday 18:30 until Monday 06:30
Important: your check‑in time determines whether you are traveling during off‑peak hours.
- Do you sometimes travel outside off‑peak hours? With this subscription, you’ll never pay more than €70 per month for your U-OV journeys.
Read more about U-OV Dal Vrij
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Did you receive your U-OV Off-Peak Discount subscription through the municipality via www.kortingov.nl because you have a lower income? Then you don't need to do anything now. You can continue travelling with your subscription on the OV-chipkaart. You cannot switch to OVpay yet.
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Are you currently traveling with the U-OV Dal Vrij subscription on your OV-chipkaart? You can continue using it until the end of your current subscription period. After that, you can switch to U-OV Dal Vrij for OVpay.
U-OV Dal Vrij:- Unlimited off‑peak travel on all U-OV buses and trams throughout the entire province of Utrecht for just €30 per month.
- This is a continuous monthly subscription on your debit card, credit card or the new OV-pas. This subscription can also be linked to the digital debit or credit card on your mobile phone or smartwatch. However, we recommend loading the subscription onto a physical debit card, credit card, or OV-pas. This is because banks frequently replace your digital card (without you noticing), causing the subscription to be removed from the card.
- Off-peak hours are:
- Monday to Friday: 09:00–16:00 and 18:30–06:30
- Weekends: from Friday 18:30 until Monday 06:30
Important: your check‑in time determines whether you are traveling during off‑peak hours.
- Do you sometimes travel outside off‑peak hours? With this subscription, you’ll never pay more than €70 per month for your U-OV journeys.
Read more about U-OV Dal Vrij
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Did you receive your U-OV Dal Vrij subscription from the Municipality of Amersfoort via www.gratisovamersfoort.nl because you have a low income? If so, you do not need to do anything right now. You can simply continue traveling with your subscription on your OV-chipkaart. You cannot switch to OVpay yet.
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Are you currently traveling with a Star subscription on your OV-chipkaart? You can use it until the end of your subscription. The monthly subscription is still available until mid-2026. Chances are you'll find a better deal with the new U-OV Max Month for OVpay.
U-OV Max Month
- Activate it once for free on your debit card, credit card or the new OV-pas. This subscription can also be linked to the digital debit or credit card on your mobile phone or smartwatch. However, we recommend loading the subscription onto a physical debit card, credit card, or OV-pas. This is because banks frequently replace your digital card (without you noticing), causing the subscription to be removed from the card.
- Unlimited travel on U-OV buses and trams throughout the entire province of Utrecht.
- Never pay more than €100 per month. Travel less? Then you'll pay less, namely the normal balance fare. Have you reached your monthly amount? Then you travel completely free for the rest of that month!
- Are you between 12 and 18 years old? Then you'll pay a maximum of €65 per month after activating U-OV Max. Please link your age to the pass you'll be using via our website.
Read more about U-OV Max Month
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Are you currently traveling with the Randstad Noord Zone subscription on your OV-chipkaart? You can continue using it until the end of your current subscription period. After that, you can switch to U-OV Max Month or U-OV Dal Vrij for OVpay.
U-OV Max Month- Activate it once for free on your debit card, credit card or the new OV-pas. This subscription can also be linked to the digital debit or credit card on your mobile phone or smartwatch. However, we recommend loading the subscription onto a physical debit card, credit card, or OV-pas. This is because banks frequently replace your digital card (without you noticing), causing the subscription to be removed from the card.
- Unlimited travel on U-OV buses and trams throughout the entire province of Utrecht.
- Never pay more than €100 per month. Travel less? Then you'll pay less, namely the normal balance fare. Have you reached your monthly amount? Then you travel completely free for the rest of that month!
- Are you between 12 and 18 years old? Then you'll pay a maximum of €65 per month after activating U-OV Max. Please link your age to the pass you'll be using via our website.
Read more about U-OV Max MonthNote: This product is only valid with U-OV. If you mainly travel in and around Amsterdam, the Randstad Noord Vrij subscription for OVpay might be a better fit for you: Choose your region | Randstad Noord Vrij. But these are not valid with U-OV.
Or choose a combination of U-OV Max month + GVB Extra Flex or GVB Free.U-OV Dal Vrij:
- Unlimited off‑peak travel on all U-OV buses and trams throughout the entire province of Utrecht for just €30 per month.
- This is a continuous monthly subscription on your debit card, credit card or the new OV-pas. This subscription can also be linked to the digital debit or credit card on your mobile phone or smartwatch. However, we recommend loading the subscription onto a physical debit card, credit card, or OV-pas. This is because banks frequently replace your digital card (without you noticing), causing the subscription to be removed from the card.
- Off-peak hours are:
- Monday to Friday: 09:00–16:00 and 18:30–06:30
- Weekends: from Friday 18:30 until Monday 06:30
Important: your check‑in time determines whether you are traveling during off‑peak hours.
- Do you sometimes travel outside off‑peak hours? With this subscription, you’ll never pay more than €70 per month for your U-OV journeys in peak hours.
Read more about U-OV Dal Vrij
Note: This product is only valid with U-OV. If you mainly travel in and around Amsterdam, the Randstad Noord Vrij subscription for OVpay might be a better fit for you: Choose your region | Randstad Noord Vrij. But these are not valid with U-OV.
Or choose a combination of U-OV Max month + GVB Extra Flex or GVB Free.
How to Switch to OVpay
Traveling with your debit card or credit card
Do you already pay contactlessly in stores using your debit card, credit card, or mobile phone? Then you don’t need to activate or set up anything. You can use the same card or phone directly to travel using your balance by checking in and out.
You can also add age-based discounts and subscriptions to your debit/credit card. Topping up your balance is a thing of the past.
Traveling with the new OV-pas
With the OV-pas you can travel using your balance and with an age-related discount. You also can add all our OVpay-products like U-OV Max Month or U-OV Dal Vrij. The physical OV-pas costs €6 and is valid for 5 years. You can read all about the OV-pas's features at OVpay. You can also order your OV-pas there.
Traveling with other carriers
The OV-pas is not yet compatible with all subscriptions or travel products from other operators. However, more and more options are becoming available.
See here for an overview of what's currently available nationwide. In the future, you'll also be able to rent a OV-fiets (public transport bicycle) from NS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I order my OV-pas? Where can I personalize my OV-pas? How can I add a subscription to my debit card? We understand you have questions! You can find many answers at www.ovpay.nl
Still having trouble? Please contact our customer service. We're happy to help. To customer service.
Request a balance refund for your OV-chipkaart
Do you still have an old OV-chipkaart that you no longer use because it has expired or because you check in and out with your debit card/credit card or new OV-pas? Then go to ov-chipkaart.nl/check and request a balance refund.
The amount will be deposited into your account within 15 days.