Traveling with the OV-chipkaart and the transition to OVpay

Read here how the OV-chipkaart works and what will change now that we are switching to OVpay.

What is the OV-chipkaart?

The OV-chipkaart has been the way to travel throughout the Netherlands by train, bus, tram, and metro for many years. You check in and out for each journey and can add balance, subscriptions, and travel products to your card.

There are two types of OV-chipkaart: a personal and an anonymous card.

Personal OV-chipkaart

The personal OV-chipkaart is convenient if you travel often and want insights into your trips and costs.

Order the personal OV-chipkaart through this website or your operator's website.
You can view your journeys by linking it to an account.
You can add subscriptions and travel products to it.
Top up your balance at the ticket machine or set up Automatic top-up.

Anonymous OV-chipkaart

The anonymous OV-chipkaart is for travelers who travel occasionally or prefer not to share personal data. You top up the balance yourself and the card can be shared with others.

Buy the card at sales points or at OVshop.nl.
You can view travel history by linking it to an account.
You cannot add subscriptions or discounts.
If you lose the card, we cannot refund the balance.

The OV-chipkaart will be discontinued

After many years, the technology behind the OV-chipkaart is outdated and ready for replacement. That is why The Netherlands is switching to OVpay: the new way to check in and out.

With OVpay, you can travel with:

the new OV-pas,
or simply with your debit card, credit card, or mobile.

Your check-in method remains the same: hold your card up to the reader, and you’re set.

Traveling with the new OV-pas

Manage everything in your OVpay account (such as youth discount).
Top up your balance in your OVpay account (no more visits to the ticket machine).
Choose yourself how much money you load onto your OV-pas (control your travel costs).

Want to add discount products to your debit card or OV-pas? Then go to your transport operator's website.

Traveling with your debit card

No need to top up balance
No separate card or pass needed
Works with all major Dutch banks

You don’t need to arrange anything beforehand.

Can you already switch to OVpay?

Some travelers can already switch to OVpay. Others (such as people with an NS subscription or student travel product) still need their OV-chipkaart. At ovpay.nl you can check whether you can already make the switch.