The Deutschlandticket sozial

The Deutschlandticket sozial for 39€ (from 2025: 48€) per month is a low-cost subscription for anyone with a valid Köln-Pass, MobilPass or Bonn-Ausweis.

Holders of the Deutschlandticket sozial are able to use all 2nd class forms of local public transport (including local train services (RE, RB and S-Bahn), trams/light rail, underground railway services and buses) throughout Germany.

I would like to apply for a new Deutschlandticket sozial. What do I have to do?

You can apply for the Deutschlandticket sozial easily online:

Order a new
Deutschlandticket sozial

Please note: the website for the order is only available in German. Here you will find a translation of all the form fields that have to be filled out when ordering:

DT sozial Bestellformular eng

To order, you have to be the holder of a valid Köln-Pass, MobilPass or Bonn-Ausweis and must be resident in the VRS area. You can enclose your proof of eligibility with your application as a scan or a photo. You will receive your new chip card for the Deutschlandticket sozial by post.

Alternatively, you can also visit a KVB Customer Centre to set up your subscription for the Deutschlandticket sozial. Please bring your completed application form and your valid proof of eligibility along with you. It isn’t possible to issue a chip card unless you provide these documents!

Would you like to extend your Deutschlandticket sozial? Have you received a new proof of eligibility (Köln-Pass, MobilPass oder Bonn-Ausweis)?

If you have received a new Köln-Pass, MobilPass oder Bonn-Ausweis, you can extend your subscription contract for the Deutschlandticket sozial here.

Extend

Please have your contract number and chip card number ready. You can then scan your new proof of eligibility online or upload a photo.

I currently have a subscription for a MonatsTicket Mobilpass im Abo. How can I switch to the Deutschlandticket sozial?

Simply click on the red button. You will need your contract number and your chip card number. You will find both on the letters we sent you.

Switch to the
Deutschlandticket sozial

Please note: the website for switching is only available in German. Here you will find a translation of all the form fields that have to be filled out when switching:

translation / form for switching to the DT sozial

To switch, you have to be the holder of a valid Köln-Pass, MobilPass or Bonn-Ausweis. You can enclose your proof of eligibility with your application as a scan or a photo. You will receive your new chip card for the Deutschlandticket sozial by post.

#advantages

The KVB Deutschlandticket sozial on the VRS chip card offers you the following additional benefits:

• 30 free minutes per trip with a KVB Bike (KVB-Rad)

• 90 free minutes per week for the KVB Cargo Bike (KVB-Lastenrad)

• Advantages with the carsharing service provider cambio (no need for €30 registration fee, 10% discount on the time rate)

Please note:
In order to be able to use the benefits of the KVB bike, the KVB cargo bike or cambio carsharing, you must link your new chip card once to the corresponding customer account.

Rules and regulations

The Deutschlandticket sozial is only available from the KVB in the form of a subscription with a chip card.

The Deutschlandticket sozial subscription is a personal ticket only and is non-transferable. Other persons are not able to travel on the ticket together with the holder. It is also not possible to bring a bicycle.

The Deutschlandticket sozial can be cancelled on a monthly basis. We must have received your notice of cancellation by the 10th day of the respective month for this to take effect.

PLEASE NOTE: According to the regulations of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, proof of eligibility which is valid at the start date of the subscription must be submitted directly to the KVB at the time of the application. Otherwise no Deutschlandticket sozial can be issued.

The validity of the proof of eligibility determines the duration of the subscription. The contract is only created by the KVB for this period.

You must then present a new proof of eligibility to the KVB before the 10^th day of the month of expiry for the subscription contract to be extended. Otherwise, your contract will terminate automatically with the at the expiry date and you will no longer have a valid ticket.

FAQ regarding the Deutschlandticket sozial

How expensive is the Deutschlandticket sozial?

The Deutschlandticket sozial subscription costs 39� per month (from 2025: 48�).

Who can apply for the Deutschlandticket sozial?

To be able to apply for the Deutschlandticket sozial from the KVB, you need a valid Köln-Pass, MobilPass or Bonn-Ausweis and must have your place of residence within the VRS area.

The following groups have a social entitlement to the Deutschlandticket sozial: recipients of Bürgergeld, Sozialhilfe, Wohngeld, standard benefits in accordance with the Asylbewerbergesetz and of welfare benefits for war victims.

As proof of eligibility, the Köln-Pass, MobilPass and Bonn-Ausweis are issued by JobCenters, social welfare offices and, in the case of recipients of welfare benefits from the War Victims’ Welfare Scheme, by the Landschaftsverband Rheinland (LVR), and are issued for the duration of the period of eligibility until the end of a month for a maximum of 12 months. All information on applying for a Köln-Pass is available on the City of Cologne website.

Important:
The Deutschlandticket sozial is only issued for the period which the proof of eligibility is valid for.

For example, if you have a Deutschlandticket sozial from 01/01/2025, you must present proof of eligibility that is also valid in 2025 when you apply.

Is the Deutschlandticket sozial transferable? Can I pass it on to other people?

No, the Deutschlandticket sozial is a personal ticket and therefore cannot be used by other people.

Can I use the Deutschlandticket sozial to take other people or a bicycle with me free of charge?

You may only take children under 6 years of age with you free of charge, as they can generally use buses and trams free of charge. If you wish to bring a bicycle or other people with you who are older than 6 years, you require an extra ticket.

What are the differences between a MonatsTicket MobilPass subscription and a Deutschlandticket sozial subscription?

You can find the key information about both tickets in the overview here (example for Cologne):

I currently have a subscription for a MonatsTicket Mobilpass. How can I switch to the Deutschlandticket sozial?

It is easy to switch to the Deutschlandticket sozial conveniently online here:

Switch to the
Deutschlandticket sozial

To switch, you have to be the holder of a valid Köln-Pass, MobilPass or Bonn-Ausweis. You can enclose your current card with your application as a scan or a photo. You will then receive the chip card with the Deutschlandticket sozial by post.

Alternatively, you can also visit the Customer Centre in person to switch your subscription. Please bring your completed application to switch and your proof of eligibility along with you. It isn’t possible to issue a chip card unless you provide these documents!

Is the Deutschlandticket sozial automatically renewed?

No, the Deutschlandticket sozial is not automatically renewed.

When you apply for a Deutschlandticket sozial it will be noted directly in the system with your contract how long your proof of eligibility is valid for.

You must then submit new proof by the 10th of the month in which the validity expires. Otherwise, your contract will be automatically terminated when your proof of eligibility expires and then you will no longer have a valid ticket.

You can upload your new Köln-Pass, MobilPass oder Bonn-Ausweis here:

Extend

Example:
Your Köln-Pass expires on 30 June. If you do not submit a new Köln-Pass valid from 1 July to us by 10 June, your contract will be terminated and you will no longer have a valid ticket as of 1 July.

My proof of eligibility (K�ln-Pass, MobilPass, Bonn-Ausweis) is about to expire. What do I have to do?

If your proof of validity is going to expire soon, you must submit new proof by the 10th of the month in which the validity expires. Otherwise, your contract for the Deutschlandticket sozial subscription will be automatically terminated when your proof of eligibility expires and then you will no longer have a valid ticket.
You can upload your new Köln-Pass, MobilPass oder Bonn-Ausweis here:

Extend

Example:
Your Köln-Pass expires on 30 June. If you do not submit a new Köln-Pass valid from 1 July to us by 10 June, your contract will be terminated and you will no longer have a valid ticket as of 1 July.

Why can’t I use proof of eligibility from a city outside the VRS network (e.g. Düsseldorf, Neuss, Koblenz) to buy a Deutschlandticket sozial from you?

The regulations within NRW stipulate that the Deutschlandticket sozial can only be issued by the KVB to people who are resident within the VRS area.

Why is the Deutschlandticket sozial only available on a chip card and not in the app?

When taking out the Deutschlandticket sozial subscription, your proof of eligibility must be saved with a corresponding expiry date. This is not yet technically possible in the KVB app.

Do I still have to show my proof of eligibility when the ticket is checked?

No, when the Deutschlandticket sozial is checked you only need to show a valid photo ID (ID card, passport, EU driving licence, disabled person’s pass, residence permit or temporary residence permit, travel document with photo for foreigners or residence card for EU citizens) so that the inspectors can check that the ticket is also issued to you.

You no longer need to show your proof of eligibility, as they were already presented when you applied.

Why do I have to present proof of eligibility (Köln-Pass, MobilPass, Bonn-Ausweis) when applying for the Deutschlandticket sozial?

The presentation of proof of eligibility when applying is stipulated in the Deutschlandticket sozial provisions.

You can find more information in the general FAQ regarding the Deutschlandticket.

Extension and termination

Cancellation of the Deutschlandticket sozial is possible on a monthly basis. Please note that the cancellation must be made by the 10th of the month in question. This is stipulated in the nationwide tariff regulations for the Deutschlandticket sozial (see Annex 33).

You can cancel your Deutschlandticket sozial contract online by entering your contract or chip card number:

Cancel the
Deutschlandticket sozial

Please note:
You can only subscribe to the Deutschlandticket sozial for the period for which the KVB has a valid proof of eligibility (Köln-Pass, MobilPass, Bonn-Ausweis).

If your proof of eligibility is about to expire, you must then submit a new proof of eligibility by the 10th of the month in which the validity expires in order for the subscription contract to be extended. Otherwise, your contract will be automatically terminated at the end of the validity of the proof of eligibility and you will no longer have a valid ticket thereafter.

You can upload your new Köln-Pass, MobilPass oder Bonn-Ausweis here:

Extend

Example:
Your Köln-Pass expires on 30/06. If you do not submit a new Köln-Pass valid from 01/07 to us by 10/06, your contract will be terminated.

As soon as the contract ends, the VRS chip card must be returned.

How to reach us

Postal address: KVB AG, 1342 Kundenbetreuung, 50927 Köln

Email: kundenservice@kvb.koeln

Phone: +49 221 547-3654 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.) or 08006 504030 (free from all German networks)