Renfe Subsidies and New Season Tickets: A Practical Guide for Travelers

Environment

New free subscriptions and half-price options on high-speed and mid-distance passes are available under the crisis relief framework. These benefits were approved to cushion the impact of current energy prices and global economic pressures. Eligible users can start purchasing from today and continue onward as the program unfolds.

Since the initial registration window, users have had the chance to sign up through Renfe and Renfe Cercanías portals and apps to complete the required steps for season-ticket purchases. Returning users who already rely on Renfe tools will recognize the process as data-saving and streamlined for quicker access next time.

Rail Environment

New Cercanías, Rodalies, and conventional middle-distance subscribers will be able to travel on their trains once the new season tickets become active, with validity extending into the year. For high-speed and Avant passes, the expiry extends an additional month, aligning purchase windows with year-end timelines.

The government projects substantial savings, including free commuter and mid-distance passes and 50% discounts on Avant and select high-speed AVE services. Families could see total gains reaching into the thousands of euros when the benefit period runs from autumn through year-end.

A refundable deposit is required at the time of purchase for many subscription types. For Cercanías and Rodalies, a standard 10-euro deposit is charged, commonly paid by credit card. If the user completes a minimum trip threshold, the deposit is refunded automatically to the same card.

Should the minimum-trip requirement not be met, the deposit is retained as compensation. Cash deposits require a formal refund request at ticket offices or service centers with after-sales support from Renfe.

Subscription edits may involve adjustments to the deposit amount or user ID and mobile number. Large family discounts may apply when qualifying conditions are met.

Four AVE routes with Orihuela, stopping in Alicante and Elche, head toward Atocha

During the introductory phase of the recurring pass program, the sale of other regular subscriptions may pause, but existing purchases remain valid and usable.

The subscription works across the Cercanías core and allows unlimited travel between any origin and destination within the network. Passes can be acquired at ticket offices, self-service kiosks, and through the Renfe Cercanías app. Some routes require in-person collection at specific centers in Asturias and Santander.

A QR code is downloaded to the mobile device to pass through turnstiles at Cercanías stations in Madrid, Málaga, Murcia/Alicante, Valencia, and Zaragoza. Additionally, a seven-digit code enables the purchase or loading of the season ticket at offices or self-service machines in Cádiz, San Sebastián, Bilbao, Seville, and Barcelona. Renfe staff are available at stations to assist.

Medium-Distance

For Conventional Medium Distance, the deposit typically runs around 20 euros and is refundable after meeting the minimum travel threshold.

Free passes can be collected at self-service machines, ticket offices, and vending machines, or via the Renfe website and app.

New recurring-payment arrangements maintain the validity of purchased subscriptions if the sale of regular passes is paused. Travelers may request a proportional refund for unused travel during the paused period.

The Medium Distance free subscription takes effect from the later of September 1 or the purchase date and runs through December 31 of the current year, with distinct subscriptions required for each origin-destination pair. It permits unlimited trips in both directions between the chosen origin and destination.

Deposits for routes like Villarrubia-Córdoba-Rabanales-Alcolea and other specified corridors remain at 10 euros, with similar arrangements for Rodalies lines between Tarragona and Girona.

Avant Season Tickets

The new high-frequency passes apply from September 1 this year through January 31 of the following year.

Avant public-service obligation discounts of 50% apply to recurring users on all Avant multi-trip tickets sold between today and year-end for use from September 1 to January 31. Previously purchased passes remain usable, and refunds may be issued for unused portions following after-sales channels. Discounts for large families and other groups are applied after the base 50% reduction.

Specific Avant Card Plus options (30-50) offer multi-month validity from the first travel date, with several periods defined for each card type. The Avant Card Plus 10 Regular, along with Student variants, includes defined windows for travel and redemption.

New Multi-Trip Season Tickets

Renfe Viajeros will introduce a new season ticket tied to selected routes where the shortest travel time remains under a defined threshold. The option does not align with certain Avant or signed capacity agreements and is offered for a limited timeframe.

Available for purchase from today through December 31 of the current year, for use from September 1 to January 1 of the next year. It covers 10 trips in both directions between the chosen origin and destination, with a 30-day validity window for the first use and a 20-day window for subsequent uses.

This pass is offered at a 50% discount off the standard sale price for the selected origin-destination pair and category. Card Plus 10 Regular Avant benefits may be combined with additional family discounts when eligible.

Purchases can be made at ticket offices, vending machines, Renfe’s official website, and Renfe agencies. Routes such as Madrid to Palencia, León to Valladolid, Ourense to Zamora, and several others are included in the new ticket program.