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Check if you can get a companion or child companion Free Travel card

A Companion Free Travel card lets another person travel free with the main card holder on public transport in Ireland. You can only get a Companion Free Travel or Child Companion entitlement if you already have, or are likely to get, Free Travel.

Use this topic if you or someone you support:
  • Is contemplating asking about a companion entitlement for yourself, or for someone else.

Note

This page offers plain language guidance. It is not a legal document.
Only the Department of Social Protection (DSP) can make an official decision about free travel eligibility.

Before you begin

Use this quick self-assessment.
Tick any that match your situation.

🚌 Everyday travel

  • [ ] Unsafe travelling alone
  • [ ] Need help finding stops or platforms
  • [ ] Need help boarding or leaving vehicles
  • [ ] Need help with tickets or changes

♿ Health or disability

  • [ ] Difficulty with balance, orientation or vision
  • [ ] Get confused in unfamiliar places
  • [ ] Hard to follow spoken or written instructions
  • [ ] Use a mobility aid and need assistance

👤 Age or caring

  • [ ] Aged 70+ and cannot travel alone comfortably
  • [ ] Caring for a child with a visual impairment
If you tick one or more, it’s worth asking about a companion entitlement.

Context

The Department of Social Protection decides who gets a companion entitlement.
They usually need:

  • A medical report from your GP or specialist, and
  • Information about how your condition affects you when travelling alone

For children with a visual impairment, they may also look for reports from:

  • Eye specialists, or
  • Schools or support services

Steps

If you think a companion or child companion card might be appropriate:

1. Talk to your doctor or specialist 
- Explain the difficulties you have travelling alone
- Ask if they think a companion Free Travel entitlement would be suitable
- Ask them to provide the required medical report to support your application
2. Contact the Free Travel Section or Citizens Information 
- Say that you have, or are applying for, Free Travel and want to ask about a **companion entitlement**
- Ask which form you should use and what supporting reports they will need
3. Complete the form they recommend 
- For some under-70 adults. this may be part of the **FTM** or **FT U/70** process
- For children with a visual impairment. a different process may apply

Result

If approved, your Free Travel card or pass will include markings such as FT C or FT S.

This means:

  • One adult companion can travel free with you on each journey
  • The companion can be any adult
  • You must travel together for the entire journey

Children with a visual impairment may qualify for a child companion entitlement. In these cases, the adult companion must travel with the child at all times.