ATM card and contactless
The personal ATM card holds monthly and annual Milan Metro passes; the free, anonymous RicaricaMi holds tickets. Here’s how to get them, check your balance and top them up — or pay on the go with contactless.
Card or contactless?
In Milan, there are two ways to ride the metro without a paper ticket. The first is the contactless system (CleSS): simply hold a contactless card, smartphone, or smartwatch up to the turnstiles when entering and exiting, and you’ll pay €2.20 per ride, with a daily cap of €7.60 applied automatically.
The second is an ATM card: the free, anonymous RicaricaMi for city tickets, booklets, daily and 3-day tickets (since 2026 it has replaced disposable paper tickets), or the personal ATM card, digital in the app or physical, which holds monthly and annual passes. For those who travel every day, a pass is the best value; for occasional trips, a city ticket or contactless payment is sufficient.
RicaricaMi: ATM's rechargeable card
The RicaricaMi is ATM’s rechargeable electronic ticket: the orange card that replaced the old paper tickets. Hold it close to the turnstile readers in the subway and to the ticket validators on buses, trams, and trolleybuses—do not insert it into the slots.
What can you load onto a RicaricaMi
- Up to 30 standard city tickets of the same fare category.
- Up to 5 booklets (Mi1–Mi3 fare).
- A one-day or three-day pass.
- You cannot load tickets of different types or fare categories together.
You can purchase and recharge it at ATM ticket vending machines and authorized retailers (newsstands, cafes, and tobacco shops). Since it’s anonymous, anyone can use it, but not more than one person per trip.
For monthly and annual passes, however, you’ll need a personal electronic card. Fares and conditions are subject to change: always check the official ATM channels.
How to get the personal ATM card
How to get the personal ATM card
- At vending machines and ATM Points at major stations (Duomo, Centrale FS, Cadorna FN, Garibaldi FS, Loreto…).
- Online or via the ATM app, by registering your information for the personalized version that stores your passes.
- Alternatively, you can register a contactless card and use the CleSS system directly, with a summary of your spending available in your personal account.
The physical ATM card has a one-time issue fee (€10.00) and is valid for several years; it is personal, holds your passes and lets you recover any remaining validity if it is lost. The RicaricaMi for tickets, by contrast, is anonymous and free: you get it when you buy a ticket.
Check your balance
How to Check Your Balance and Subscription
Several quick ways to check the status of your card or contactless charges:
Recharge your subscription
How to Renew Your Subscription
Renew your monthly (€39.00) or annual (€330.00) pass on your personal ATM card:
Tip: Renew your pass before it expires. With contactless payment, however, you don’t need to top up anything—you simply pay for the trips you’ve taken at the end of the day, up to a maximum of €7.60.
Contactless or subscription?
Contactless (CleSS)
Hold your card or smartphone near the turnstiles when entering and exiting: you pay €2.20 per ride, with an automatic daily cap of €7.60. Ideal for tourists and occasional travelers—no need to buy or recharge anything.
Monthly or Annual Pass on a Card
Load a monthly pass (€39.00) or an annual pass (€330.00) onto your personal ATM card (app or physical). This is a good option for those who use the metro every day: unlimited rides at a fixed cost.
Do you know how many trips you'll need?
Plan your trip—including every transfer, intermediate stations, and total travel time—so you can figure out whether a city ticket, contactless ticket, or a pass is the best option.
Calculate your routeFrequently Asked Questions
At the subway turnstiles, hold your ticket, pass, or contactless card up to the reader at the start of your trip: the turnstile will open and your trip will be recorded. If you’re using a contactless card, remember to tap it again when exiting.
If your pass has expired, the turnstile will not open. Renew it through the ATM app or at ticket vending machines, or use a city transit ticket or contactless payment for a single ride.
The physical personal ATM card costs €10.00 once and is valid for several years: you load your passes onto it, each with its own expiry date, and it lets you recover any remaining validity if the card is lost. The RicaricaMi, the anonymous card for tickets, is free.
Yes: With contactless payment, simply hold your smartphone or smartwatch (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) up to the turnstiles and pay for your ride just like you would with a card, with the automatic daily cap.
As of January 1, 2026, single-use paper tickets have been phased out in Milan: passengers now use the RicaricaMi, the ATM app or contactless payment (and the personal ATM card for passes). Tickets already purchased remain valid until their expiration date.