The OV-chipkaart is going away. At the end of 2027 it stops for good, and the OV-pas takes its place. For many passengers switching is already possible. For others it is better to wait a while. In this article you can read how to request the OV-pas, what it costs, when switching is smart, and what changes for your right to compensation on a delay.
What is the OV-pas?
The OV-pas is the new physical travel card of the OVpay system. You check in and out with it on train, bus, tram and metro, exactly as you are used to with the OV-chipkaart. The big difference sits behind the scenes. Your balance and travel history are no longer stored on the card itself, but in a secured online database. You arrange everything through your OVpay account or the OVpay app: topping up balance, reviewing journeys and setting automatic top-up.
The pink card is valid for 5 years. You only have to buy it once. After that you top up balance whenever you want.
| OV-pas | OV-chipkaart | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 6 euro | 7.50 euro |
| Validity | 5 years | 5 years |
| Topping up balance | OVpay app, website, Primera | Machine, service desk |
| Season tickets | Not all yet | Yes |
| Reviewing journeys | OVpay app or website | OV-chipkaart.nl |
What does the OV-pas cost?
The OV-pas costs 6 euro and is valid for five years. That is 1.50 euro cheaper than the OV-chipkaart. You pay once for the card itself. After that you top up balance through the OVpay app, the OVpay website or at a Primera shop. There are no extra subscription costs attached to the pass itself.
Where and how do you request the OV-pas?
You have two options: order online or buy it directly in a shop.
Online through OVpay
You request the OV-pas through ovpay.nl or the OVpay app. After ordering you receive the pass at home within five working days. You can top up balance through your OVpay account straight afterwards and start travelling. Do you want to review your journeys later, or set automatic top-up? Then link your pass to an OVpay account.
In the shop at Primera
Do not want to wait? Then walk into a Primera shop. Primera is the only physical sales point in the Netherlands where you take the OV-pas with you straight away. The pass sits in the rack with the gift cards. You do not need an OVpay account to buy it. You top up balance at the Primera till, by card or in cash.
Nice and easy.
When is it smart to switch?
Not everyone can switch yet. It depends on how you travel.
You can already switch if you...
- Travel on balance, without an NS season ticket or discount product
- Would rather not check in with your bank card
- Have an OV-chipkaart that is close to expiring
Wait a while if you...
- Have an NS season ticket, such as Dal Vrij or Altijd Vrij, or an NS Business Card.
- Those do not work on the OV-pas yet. NS starts moving season tickets to the OV-pas at the end of 2026. You will get word when it is your turn.
- Use the student travel product. That stays tied to the OV-chipkaart for now.
- Use a co-traveller discount or another discount product. Those are not available on the OV-pas yet.
Timeline to keep an eye on
- 2023: checking in with a bank card or phone possible throughout the Netherlands
- End of 2025: physical OV-pas available through OVpay and Primera
- End of 2026: digital OV-pas on your phone available
- End of 2027: OV-chipkaart stops for good
You can read more about the full transition from OV-chipkaart to OVpay in our article on the switch to OVpay and the OV-pas.
What happens to your balance when you switch?
Your balance does not move across automatically from your OV-chipkaart to the OV-pas. You claim it back through the OV-chipkaart website, or you travel it off before your current card expires. With the OV-pas claiming balance back is simpler: you do that yourself through the OVpay app or the website. A visit to a service desk or service point is no longer needed.
What changes for your delay compensation?
Nothing about your rights, but something about the way claims are processed.
Your right to compensation on a train delay does not change when you move to the OV-pas. With a delay of 30 minutes or more you are still entitled to money back from NS, regardless of whether you travel with the OV-pas, your bank card or your phone. Only the technical way claims are processed adapts to the new system.
Your rights as a rail passenger are set out in European rail passenger regulations. They apply whichever card you use.
Want to be sure you miss no claim after the switch? We track the OVpay transition so that you keep receiving your delay compensation automatically with the OV-pas too. Read how that works in our article on when you get money back for a train delay or look at our frequently asked questions.
Did you ever forget to check out? Then there is good news: that is easier to solve now too. Read how in our article on forgetting to check out with the OV-chipkaart. We can also send you a notification if you forget to check out and want to request compensation with trein-vertraging.nl.
The OV-pas costs 6 euro, is valid for 5 years, and you request it through OVpay.nl, the OVpay app or directly at Primera. Do you already travel on balance without a season ticket? Then you can switch today. Do you have an NS season ticket or student travel product? Then wait for word from your carrier.