The NMBS / SNCB will definitively end the sale of train tickets on board from 1 July 2026. The National Belgian Railway Company has officially confirmed the decision. From that date, passengers will be required to hold a valid ticket before boarding. Anyone travelling without one risks an immediate fine of €90.
The measure marks a significant shift in Belgium‘s rail policy and forms part of a broader strategy to reduce fare evasion and improve staff safety.
The news was broken by Thibault Lapers on Mobilithib on Monday 30 March. The NMBS / SNCB made it official today, via Belga.
End of onboard sales
Until now, passengers could still purchase a ticket from the train manager in certain situations, subject to a €9 surcharge. This option will disappear entirely.
NMBS / SNCB spokesperson Dimitri Temmerman said that abolishing on-board sales will make the rules clearer, as passengers must have a valid ticket before boarding the train.
According to NMBS / SNCB data, onboard sales accounted for just 1.5% of all tickets sold in 2026. The company had already taken steps in this direction, including the abolition of cash payments on board in 2023.
Stricter approach to fare evasion
The new policy is primarily intended to tackle fare evasion more effectively. NMBS / SNCB estimates that fraud results in financial losses amounting to tens of millions of euros each year.
From July, any passenger found without a valid ticket will receive a so-called C170 document and must pay €90 within 14 days. If the amount is not paid, an administrative fine of €250 will follow, rising to as much as €500 in the event of repeat offences.
According to the company, the current system still allows passengers who are not checked to travel for free, making it vulnerable to abuse.
Rising aggression against train staff
Another key reason behind the reform is the increase in aggression towards train managers. NMBS / SNCB reports that many incidents stem from disputes over missing or invalid tickets.
Dimitri Temmerman stated that this is the main cause of aggression against staff. On average, seven incidents are recorded each day, with physical violence occurring in four out of ten cases.
The railway company also argues that removing on-board sales improves safety, as train managers will no longer carry significant amounts of cash.
Criticism from passenger organisations
Passenger organisations have responded critically to the measure. TreinTramBus in Flanders argues that abolishing onboard sales is not a positive development and raises concerns about customer service. Its president Peter Meukens said that passengers must be able to purchase tickets easily through various channels, but that this is not currently guaranteed in practice.
In Wallonia, Navetteurs.be has also pointed to issues in smaller stations, where often only a single ticket machine is available, leading to long queues and the risk of missing a train. According to Duncan Smith, the consequences are particularly severe for occasional travellers, especially at stops without ticket machines.
Advisory opinion with conditions
The Travellers’ Advisory Committee (RGCT / CCVF), which brings together passenger associations and trade unions, issued a nuanced opinion on the reform.
The committee did not reject the measure outright but stated that it should only be implemented if a series of strict guarantees are met. These include ensuring sufficient and functioning ticket machines, maintaining the possibility of cash payments, establishing clear procedures for regularisation, and distinguishing between fraud and genuine mistakes.
Duncan Smith stressed that the measure is disproportionate for passengers boarding at stops without ticket machines.
The RGCT / CCVF also called for train managers to be given the ability to distinguish between intentional fare evasion and situations of good faith, for example by introducing an intermediate status instead of automatically imposing penalties.
Practical concerns on the ground
The reform also raises operational questions. At least 15 stations in Belgium currently have no ticket machines, often due to vandalism or technical limitations.
There is also uncertainty among train managers about how to handle situations such as passengers who have forgotten their season ticket, malfunctioning machines, or upgrades to first class.
Internal training on the new procedures has reportedly not yet been provided.
NMBS / SNCB states that in cases where a ticket machine is out of order, train managers can verify this remotely. Passengers will then receive a document allowing them to pay for their journey later.
Passengers who have forgotten their season ticket can avoid a fine by having it checked within two weeks, either at a station or via customer service.
Part of a wider European trend
Belgium is following a broader European trend. In the Netherlands, it has no longer been possible to buy tickets on trains since 2024. Similar rules apply to long-distance services operated by Deutsche Bahn in Germany.
In countries such as France and Luxembourg, onboard sales still exist in limited cases, mainly on specific services or international routes.
Need for clear communication
Finally, the RGCT / CCVF stresses that clear and timely communication will be essential for the success of the reform. Passengers must be properly informed about the new purchasing methods, the risks of travelling without a valid ticket, and the procedures for regularising their situation.
It remains uncertain to what extent the committee’s recommendations will be fully implemented, with several stakeholders fearing that only part of them will ultimately be taken into account.
Access gates
In its press release, the Belgian Railways confirmed looking into installing access gates.
NMBS / SNCB related news
- BELGIUM | Access gates to be introduced in major railway stations, reversing earlier opposition.
- Rise of international trains puts pressure on the Belgian rail network: domestic services must not disappear.
- ANTWERP | Renovation of Linkeroever station to begin during spring half-term, rail services temporarily disrupted.
- Belgian Mobility Minister wants to revive direct train service to Switzerland.
- NMBS / SNCB & CAF for MR30 / AM30 electric multiple units signed.
- 2026 | Bpost marks 100 years of NMBS / SNCB with a stamp.
- Reorganising train travel in Belgium by 2050: going for the Swiss or the Dutch model?.
- BELGIUM | More than 9.5 million travellers took the train the summer of 2025.
- Hamont – Weert on foot, because the train connection still isn’t there.
- REVIEW | ‘Belgian Railways Under Occupation: Between Collaboration and Resistance’ at Train World in Brussels.
- NMBS / SNCB to apologize for involvement in WWII deportation transports.
- Antwerp-Berchem Railway Station up for major revamp.
- PHOTOS | AM66 ‘Klassiekje’ / ‘Classique’ Farewell Ride at Antwerp-Central Railway Station.
- Farewell to Mortsel-Deurnesteenweg.
43 thoughts on “BELGIUM | Train operator NMBS / SNCB to end on-board ticket sales from 1 July 2026”