Milan public transport paper tickets will no longer be valid from 2026

Milan public transport paper tickets are officially being phased out. Starting on January 1, 2026, the old paper tickets that had to be inserted into turnstile slots will no longer be accepted on Milan’s public transportation network.

The change affects everyone using public transport in Milan, including residents, commuters, students, and visitors who rely on metro lines, buses, and trams operated by ATM Milano.

What changes for passengers using public transport in Milan

From 2026 onward, disposable paper tickets will disappear completely. They will no longer be sold and cannot be used for travel. Metro stations are gradually removing the old validation slots, leaving only electronic readers.

Validation will be done exclusively through rechargeable cards or contactless payments. Passengers will simply tap their card, smartphone, smartwatch, or contactless bank card on the reader when entering the metro or boarding surface transport.

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Replacing old paper tickets: deadline and locations

If you still have unused paper tickets, they cannot be used after January 1, 2026, but they can be replaced until June 30, 2026.

Old tickets can be exchanged for rechargeable tickets of the same fare at official ATM Points. No appointment is required. The available locations in Milan are:

• Duomo: Monday to Saturday from 7:45 AM to 8:00 PM; Sunday from 10:15 AM to 1:15 PM and from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM
• Centrale: Same hours as Duomo, electronic payments only
• Cadorna: Monday to Saturday from 7:45 AM to 8:00 PM, electronic payments only

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How the RicaricaMi rechargeable ticket works

The paper ticket is being replaced by RicaricaMi, a rechargeable card designed to reduce paper waste and simplify access to public transport. There is no fare increase linked to this change.

RicaricaMi can be purchased and topped up at metro station machines, newsstands, and tobacco shops. It can store multiple tickets of the same fare, including single rides, carnet options, and daily or multi-day passes.

To validate a trip, passengers just tap the card on the electronic reader. The card is not personalized, but it is personal and cannot be shared for the same journey.

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Contactless payments are now standard in Milan

All new validators on Milan’s transport network are universal. The same reader accepts rechargeable tickets, travel passes, credit and debit cards, smartphones, and wearable devices.

Milan follows a global trend already adopted by other major cities, where contactless systems replace traditional paper tickets. For travelers and residents alike, adapting to the new system is essential for using public transport smoothly in the city from 2026 onward.