Infringments and statements

You commit the offense of fraud when, at a ticket inspection:

• You do not have a transport ticket; i.e. you do not present a ticket or magnetic card or a T-mobilitat card of any kind (cardboard card, personalised card or electronic wallet).
• You use the electronic wallet and your mobile phone battery has run out.
• You have an invalid transport ticket, such as:
  • A non-validated ticket.
  • A validated ticket that does not meet the user requirements or does not correspond to the journey (for example, travelling with a T-4 without having the accreditation to use this ticket, presenting a single ticket from another operator, etc.).
  • You are travelling with a validated personalised ticket without the documents that prove you are the holder (single-parent or large families).
  • You have a correctly validated metropolitan companion travel pass, but the holder is not present.
• You have exceeded the maximum time you may spend on the metro or bus. When you validate your transport ticket for a journey on the metro, it is valid for the following two hours (provided you do not leave the facilities). On the bus, a validation gives you the right to reach the end of the line in the chosen direction (except on the Bus de barri (Neighbourhood Bus) lines and on other circular lines, where you can do the entire route of the line). Once this time has passed, you will need to validate again.
• If you purchase and validate a single ticket with bank card, the identification of the digits of the credit card with which you made the payment is the proof of payment, because this is an exclusively digital ticket.

In these cases, the conductors will request the payment of a minimum penalty of €100.

If you have travelled with an invalid transport ticket

If you have been asked to pay the minimum penalty for having travelled with an invalid transport ticket, including social fare tickets, a specific ticket for large families or single-parent families, without the corresponding card proving your right to use said ticket, you can:

• Submit appeals within a maximum period of 20 days from the date of the intervention or
• Pay the minimum amount (€100) and submit an appeal within a maximum period of 30 days from the date of payment.

When you submit an appeal, you must provide all the documents confirming that you have the right to use that ticket and that you are the holder.

If you make a subsidised payment (50% of the amount of the minimum penalty), you will waive the right to lodge an appeal.

When asked for the minimum charge you can:

• Pay it with a 50% discount within two working days of the date of the inspection. The file is closed and will not be forwarded to the authorities. If you opt for this discount, you renounce the right to appeal against the minimum charge.
• Submit an appeal within the following 20 calendar days. Lodging an appeal does not stop the file from being processed. If the appeal is accepted, the file is closed and will not be forwarded to the authorities. If the appeal is rejected, the case file for fraud will continue to be processed. If the minimum payment is not received within 30 days, the file is forwarded to the authorities who may open sanction proceedings and impose a fine of up to €600.
• Pay the minimum charge within the following 30 calendar days. The file is closed and will not be forwarded to the authorities.
• Pay the €100 minimum charge within the following 30 calendar days and submit an appeal within 30 calendar days of making the payment. If the appeal is upheld, we will return the €100 euros paid. If it is rejected, the file is closed and will not be forwarded to the authorities.

If you are underage you can:

• Pay with a 50% discount within the following 30 calendar days. The file is closed and will not be forwarded to the authorities.
• Submit an appeal within the following 20 calendar days. Lodging an appeal does not stop the file from being processed. If the appeal is accepted, the file is closed and will not be forwarded to the authorities. If the appeal is rejected, the case file for fraud will continue to be processed. If the minimum payment is not received within 30 days, the file is forwarded to the authorities who may open sanction proceedings and impose a fine of up to €600.
• Pay the discounted minimum charge of €50 euros within the following 30 calendar days and lodge an appeal within 30 calendar days of the payment. If the appeal is accepted, we will return the €50 deposited. If it is rejected, the file is closed and will not be forwarded to the authorities.

The deadline for paying the minimum charge is 30 days from the date of the inspection.

You can pay the minimum charge:

• To the inspector at the time of the inspection.
• Through the online payment service. Consult Payment for Infringements. 
• At a ServiCaixa, using the barcode reader offered by this service. You will need the infringement notification or the reminder letter which feature a barcode with the reference number of the infringement. Use the payment information details for €50 or €100 as appropriate.
• At Punts TMB service points, where you can pay in cash or by credit card. If you do not have the infringement notification, you will need to give specific details about the inspection, such as the date, bus route, metro station or any other information you are asked for.

You can benefit from a 50% discount on the amount:

• If you are under 18 years old.
• If you are over 18 years old and you pay the minimum charge at the time of the inspection or within the following two working days.

If you pay the minimum charge within the deadline, the case file for fraud will be closed and the authorities will not open sanction proceedings for that infringement. It is advisable for you to keep the receipt of payment.

The appeal is an argued explanation supported by documentary evidence of the reason you considered yourself to be exempt from producing a valid travel ticket at the time of the inspection.

You can submit your arguments against the request for the minimum charge by completing the appeal form.

The first piece of information needed to complete the appeal form is the file number. It is in the center at the top of the infringement notification and starts with 20 if the inspection took place on the metro and with 10 if the inspection took place on a bus.

If you have the notification letter, you will find it in the top left hand corner. It starts with 20 or 40 if the inspection took place on the metro and with 10 if the inspection took place on a bus.

Required documentation:

• The DNI or NIE ID cards or the passport of the person subjected to the inspection (both sides).
• The infringement notification (recommended document).
• Front and back of the travel ticket presented to the inspection staff (if applicable).
• Any documents that can substantiate the facts explained in the text of the appeal.

Documentation required to present allegations on behalf of a third party adult:

• DNI, NIE or passport of the person submitting the allegations (original and photocopy of both sides).
• Photocopy of both sides of the DNI, NIE or passport of the intervening party.
• Document proving the representation of the intervening party in favour of the person submitting the allegations.

Documentation required to present allegations on behalf of a minor:

• DNI, NIE or passport of the person submitting the allegations (original and photocopy of both sides).
• Photocopy of both sides of the DNI, NIE or passport of the intervening party.
• Photocopy of the family book or document accrediting guardianship or similar.

All arguments and documentation must be submitted as a single procedure. Once a decision is made, you may not submit further documents or further arguments.

Anti-social behavior is not related to the use of transport tickets; they are infringements of passenger regulations and can, in the case of Barcelona's metro and bus, lead to a fine of up to €6,000.

Infringements relating to anti-social behavior are not handled by TMB. The competent authority sends a notification that a case file is being opened and explains the terms and conditions for lodging an appeal and making payment.

You can exercise these rights free of charge and in person or through someone who represents you. To exercise them, you must send a signed request in writing to:

Exercise of GDPR rights

Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona

Carrer 60, No. 21-23

Pol. Ind. de la Zona Franca, sector A

08040 Barcelona

You must include the following information in your request: name and surname(s), the address you want us to send the reply to, a photocopy of your National Identity Document (DNI), your Foreigner Identification Number (NIE) or Passport, and give details of your specific request.

You can also exercise these rights by email using the email address dades@tmb.cat, in which you need to detail the information and attach the documentation requested.