Passing the gates at NS stations » NS season ticket together with an Belgian or German season ticket
If you regularly travel across the border on an NS season ticket together with an NMBS/SNCB or DB season ticket, in a number of cases it is possible to request a square barcode that will remain active for a longer period.
This barcode can be used to open gates at an NS station. The barcode validity period is the same as that of the corresponding season ticket.
Conditions
You can request a square barcode that will remain active for a longer period if you have an NMBS/SNCB or DB season ticket together with one of the following NS season tickets:
Weekend Vrij [weekend freedom] or Dal Vrij [off-peak freedom].
OV Studentenreisproduct [public transport student travel product].
Why is it recommended to open the gates with this barcode?
If you use an OV-chipkaart [public transport smart card] to open the gates during a cross-border journey, you always pay the boarding fee. This is because you cannot check out abroad.
Please note: If you have an Altijd Vrij, OV Vrij, Trein Vrij, Kids Vrij or Traject Vrij for international travel season ticket, you can nevertheless use the OV-chipkaart as a 'key' to open the gates. Nothing is deducted from your balance. If a boarding fee is charged at all, it will automatically be corrected.
For Traject Vrij with international borders the boarding fee is deducted at first, but this will be corrected automatically afterwards.
For Traject Vrij to an international station the boarding fee is deducted, you will have to correct this yourself once, after that, the boarding fee will be corrected automatically afterwards.
What next
Are you eligible for a square barcode that will remain active for a longer period?
Fill in the form by clicking on the button Request a KeyCard, or send an e-mail to Keycard@ns.nl.
State the number of your OV-chipkaart.
Add a copy of your NMBS/SNCB or DB season ticket.
Next steps
You will receive an email with the barcode within five working days. Use this instead of your OV-chipkaart to open the gates at the departure and arrival stations in the Netherlands.
If you need to travel within five working days after you have applied for the barcode, you can open the gates with your OV-chip card and ask for a refund of the boarding fee. This can be done up to three times per year. For further information, check the Forget to check in or out page on the NS website.