Berlin S ticket

Tickets are available at the following prices:

On 1 January 2023, the price was reduced from €27.50 per month to €9. The reduced price is valid until further notice.

Tickets are available from the followings:
 

• Online-Shop (tickets by mail, German)
• Ticket machines (incl. BVG)
• S-Bahn customers centers
• All sales points

Where and how long the ticket is valid:

• The ticket is valid only in Berlin AB. Extension tickets are available for journeys to destinations in zone C (Berlin's hinterland).
• The ticket is issued to a specific person and is non-transferable.
• The ticket is valid from the first to the last day in a month (plus on the last day of the previous month and first day of the following month). Example: If you have a ticket for October, you can also use it on 30 September and 1 November.

Am I entitled to the Berlin-Ticket S?

For example, Berliners who receive the following social benefits are entitled to discounted access to regional and local public transport through the Berlin Ticket S social ticket:

• Bürgergeld (formerly Hartz IV)
• social assistance (Sozialhilfe)
• basic security (Grundsicherung)
• benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act (Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz)
• housing allowance (Wohngeld)
• victims' pensions under the SED Unrechtsbereinigungsgesetz 
• Nazi compensation pensions

Recipients of ALG 1 (Arbeitslosengeld 1) are not allowed to use the Berlin-Ticket.

The complete list of prerequisites that authorise you to purchase the ticket can be found in the Berlin Service Portal on the following page under "Prerequisites" ("Voraussetzungen"):

All prerequisites

How much does the Sozialticket Berlin-Ticket S cost?

Normally, the ticket costs 27.50 euros per month. However, until further notice the price is now reduced to 9 euros per month!

Buying your ticket - in three steps:

1. You will receive a certificate of eligibility (Berechtigungsnachweis) with a QR code from your respective benefits office.* This usually happens automatically, you do not have to do anything here. In special exceptional cases, you have to apply for the proof of eligibility yourself. For more information, please visit the Berlin Service Portal. (Please note: This certificate of eligibility (Berechtigungsnachweis) with a QR code is only to be used to apply for the VBB Kundenkarte Berlin S and does not directly entitle you to use the Berlin Ticket S and each QR code is only valid for one application.)
2. You can use this QR code to apply for the VBB Kundenkarte Berlin S via an online portal of the BVG (https://www.vbb-kundenkarte-berlin-ticket-s.de).* The VBB Kundenkarte Berlin S replaces the previous "berlinpass" as of 01 January 2023. Furthermore, you have to upload an identification document (e.g. identity card) and a photo. Please note: The VBB Kundenkarte Berlin S is only issued by the BVG and cannot be applied for at the S-Bahn Berlin.
3. This VBB-Kundenkarte Berlin S then authorises you to purchase the Berlin-Ticket S (social ticket as a monthly ticket) on a monthly basis. You can easily obtain this via the usual sales channels, e.g. at S-Bahn Berlin sales points and ticket machines, via the DB Navigator app and at DB travel centres and agencies.

What you need during your journey:

During your journey you need to show your VBB-Kundenkarte Berlin S together with your Berlin-Ticket S (also called value coupon) valid for the respective month. The card number of the of the VBB-Kundenkarte Berlin S must be entered in the correct box on each monthly ticket, Only both together are valid as a ticket for the public transport in Berlin.

*I have not yet received a proof of entitlement (Berechtigungsnachweis) with QR code from my benefits office and therefore have not yet been able to apply for a VBB-Kundenkarte Berlin S or have not yet been sent a VBB-Kundenkarte Berlin S - what can I do?

It may take some time for the benefits offices to send all the proofs of entitlement (Berechtigungsnachweise).  A transitional regulation therefore applies until December 31, 2024.

That transitional regulation states that, as a gesture of goodwill, the following proof will also be recognised when using the Berlin-Ticket S:

1. a valid benefit decision (Leistungsbescheid, original document or copy) in connection with an identification document with photo e.g. identity card

To travel with the Berlin-Ticket S, please enter the reference number of your benefit decision (Leistungsbescheid) on the ticket.

Please note: The proof of entitlement (Berechtigungsnachweis) with QR code from your benefits office does not entitle you to use the Berlin-Ticket S, nor does an expired berlinpass!

For reasons of data protection law, personal information, e.g. the sum of housing benefit claims, addresses etc. may be blacked out on the copy of your benefit decision (Leistungsbescheid), but not the letterhead or the title of the cover letter.

At least the following information must be recognisable:

• your first name and surname
• the approval period
• the reference number of your benefit decision to enter on the ticket