Starting July Year 115 (2026), Senior EasyCard holders in both Taipei City and New Taipei City receive 600 points per month, with each point offsetting NT$1. In Taipei City, the statutory basis is Article 5 of the "Taipei City Senior EasyCard and Charity EasyCard Subsidy Regulations" (effective July 1, Year 115); in New Taipei City, a Department of Social Welfare press release on June 30, Year 115 confirmed the expansion from 480 points to 600 points effective July 1. Points are granted on a monthly basis; official municipal planning in Taipei City indicates that point accumulation across months will only be implemented following second-generation card replacements in Year 118 (2029).
Notice: Senior Cards are strictly limited to the cardholder's personal use; lending cards to family members results in Taipei City confiscating the card and suspending point subsidies for 1 year, with longer suspensions for repeat infractions. Seniors aged 65 and above without household registration in Taipei and New Taipei still receive 50% half-fare discounts on domestic public transportation under Article 25 of the Senior Citizens Welfare Act, presenting photo ID when purchasing tickets (per operator rules). Point usages and per-ride caps undergo regular adjustments, subject to the latest announcements by social welfare departments in both cities.
Who Can Apply? Required Application Documents
Article 2 of the Senior Citizens Welfare Act defines senior citizens as persons aged 65 or above. Application criteria in both cities include:
| Category | Taipei City | New Taipei City |
|---|
| Eligibility Criteria | Seniors aged 65 and above registered and actually residing in Taipei City; Indigenous elders aged 55 and above; foreign nationals aged 65 and above holding Alien Permanent Resident Certificates (APRC) and residing in Taipei City | Seniors aged 65 and above with registered household in New Taipei City (other categories subject to Social Welfare Department announcements) |
| Application Location | Any district office (區公所) in Taipei City | District office (區公所) of registered domicile |
| Required Documentation | Application form, one 2-inch color photo, National Identification Card (household book for Indigenous elders, APRC for foreign residents); individuals registered at a household registration office (戶政事務所) must attach proof of actual residence | Subject to district office (區公所) and Social Welfare Department notices |
| Card Production Fee | Free for initial application or reissue due to non-cardholder fault; other reissues paid by applicant | Free for initial application or reissue due to non-cardholder fault; other reissues paid by applicant |
| Validity Renewal | Valid for 6 months starting the month after issuance or renewal; must renew before expiration, lapses if overdue (overdue renewal permitted) | Similarly valid for 6 months, requiring periodic renewal |
| Lending to Others | Card confiscated and points suspended for 1 year on first offense, 3 years on second, 5 years on third or further offenses | Article 7 of 101 Regulations: card confiscated and free bus subsidies suspended for 6 months |
Article 8 of Taipei City Regulations provides that during initial card processing or replacement periods when a card is inoperable, applicants may obtain temporary substitute cards from district offices to use points normally. Article 10 of New Taipei City Regulations has similar substitute card provisions. If a card is lost, report the loss to EasyCard Corporation immediately before re-applying.
Taipei City: Where 600 Points Can Be Used
A Taipei City Department of Social Welfare press release on June 3, Year 115 states that Senior and Charity Cards cover 12 transit modes, 71 public venues, and 21 Taipei City Hospital outpatient clinic locations. Chronological expansion includes:
| Timeline | Expanded or Adjusted Scope |
|---|
| Early Year 115 | Offset registration fees at internal and external clinic clinics of Taipei City Hospital; usable at partnering hot spring public baths; Senior Taxi subsidy cap raised to 85 points per ride |
| July Year 115 | Monthly points increased from 480 to 600 points; added City Hospital Senior Health Guardianship Project; Guandu Hospital and Wanfang Hospital clinic registration fees included; YouBike 2.0E first 30 minutes free; expanded Rehabus eligibility |
| First Half Year 116 (Planned) | Taoyuan Airport MRT subsidy raised to 80 points; Taipei Metro bicycle single ticket subsidized up to 80 points; Blue Highway ferries subsidized up to 100 points; double-decker sightseeing buses raised to 85 points |
| Second Half Year 116 (Planned) | Opening points usage at pharmacies, convenience stores, supermarkets, and farmers' associations |
The exact point deductions per ride or venue are separately gazetted by the city government under Article 5. For deduction inquiries, call 1999 extension 6967 (Senior Welfare Division).
New Taipei City: Where 600 Points Can Be Used
New Taipei Department of Social Welfare announced on September 24, Year 114 (2025) the upgrade schedule for Senior and Charity Cards in Year 115:
| Timeline | Covered Services |
|---|
| Pre-existing | Buses and MRT lines |
| January Year 115 | National highway coaches (routes starting and ending in Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan, Yilan, rolled out gradually); Civil Sports Centers at 50 points per facility; City Hospital and 29 district health clinic registration fees at 50 points |
| February Year 115 | Taiwan Railway single-trip deduction raised from 30 to 150 points (stations across Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan, Yilan); taxi deduction raised from 65 to 85 points per ride |
| July Year 115 | Points expanded from 480 to 600 points per month (credited automatically on first transaction of the month, no need to tap exactly on July 1); YouBike 2.0E e-bike first 30 minutes free (rented within New Taipei) |
The New Taipei regulations online date from Year 101, containing older quotas; active points follow current Social Welfare Department announcements.
Can Points Be Rolled Over to the Next Month?
Official rules specify monthly subsidies. The Taipei Social Welfare Department stated in June Year 115 that point roll-over across months is slated for Year 118 when second-generation cards launch. In New Taipei, consult 1999 regarding current carry-over rules.
Practical advice: check remaining balances near month-end and use points for higher single-deduction items like taxis, sports centers, or clinic registration; inquire with EasyCard or 1999 for transaction histories.
Interaction with TPASS Monthly Passes and Half-Fare Discounts
- Cannot load TPASS 1200 Commuter Pass: Official FAQs note Senior and Charity cards already possess statutory transit privileges and cannot load Mega City Passes.
- Eligible for TPASS 2.0+ Frequent Rider Rebates: MOTC Green Transport Platform states Senior cards can register; accumulation begins only after welfare points run out and fares deduct from stored cash. Details in our TPASS Mega City Pass and Rebate Guide.
- After Points Are Exhausted: Under Article 5 of Taipei Regulations, cardholders continue receiving statutory half-fare subsidies on domestic public transit, paying 50% fares via stored value.
For accessible outings, explore our Barrier-Free Outing Guide; for home handrails or bathroom retrofits, review Senior Home Renovation Subsidies in Taipei and New Taipei.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I apply upon turning 65?
In Taipei, seniors aged 65 residing and registered in Taipei can apply at any district office (區公所); in New Taipei, apply at the district office of registered domicile. Contact 1999 to confirm earliest processing dates in your birth month.
Do out-of-town seniors visiting Taipei receive transit discounts?
Yes. Article 25 of the Senior Citizens Welfare Act entitles seniors to half-fare discounts on domestic public transit upon presenting valid ID, though they do not receive monthly local points from Taipei or New Taipei.
How often must a Senior Card be renewed?
Both cities specify cards are valid for 6 months starting the month after issuance or renewal; cards must be tapped to extend before expiry, otherwise they lapse until overdue renewal is performed.
Can points be spent on convenience store merchandise?
Taipei City plans to evaluate pharmacies, convenience stores, and supermarkets in the second half of Year 116; at present, only officially designated transit and social venues apply.
Last updated: 2026-10-31
This article is compiled from public sources by SOSfix editors for general guidance; consult Taipei City Department of Social Welfare, New Taipei City Department of Social Welfare, or local district offices (dial 1999 locally).
Sources and References
- Taipei City Laws and Regulations System: Taipei City Senior EasyCard and Charity EasyCard Subsidy Regulations (Amended June 8, Year 115, Articles 5 & 16 effective July 1, Year 115, verified 2026-10-31): Eligibility, documents, 600 points at NT$1 each, half-fare subsidies, penalties (1/3/5 years), substitute cards, card production fees, 6-month validity, lost card procedures.
- Taipei City Department of Social Welfare: Senior & Charity Card Nation's Widest Reach Expanded to 600 Points from 7/1 (Published 115-06-03): 12 transit modes, 71 public venues, 21 hospital clinics, taxi 85 points, Year 116 expansion plans, Year 118 card rollover plans, contact extensions.
- New Taipei City Department of Social Welfare: New Taipei Senior & Charity Cards Upgraded to 600 Points from July Year 115 (Published 2025-09-24): January highway coaches, sports centers 50 points, health clinics 50 points; February TRA 150 points, taxi 85 points; July expansion to 600 points.
- New Taipei City Government Press Release: New Taipei Senior & Charity Cards Expanded to 600 Points (Published 2026-06-30, verified 2026-10-31): 600 points starting July 1, automatic deposit on first transaction, YouBike 2.0E first 30 minutes free.
- New Taipei City Laws and Regulations System: Regulations for Subsidizing Bus and MRT Rides for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities (Promulgated June 13, Year 101): Registered residents aged 65, district office application, personal use, substitute cards, fees, 6-month renewals.
- Laws and Regulations Database: Senior Citizens Welfare Act (Amended August 1, Year 114): Article 2 definition of senior citizens (65 and above), Article 25 domestic public transit half-fare privilege.
- New Taipei City Department of Transportation: Mega City Pass FAQ (Announced June 30, Year 115): Senior and Charity cards cannot load Mega City Pass.
- MOTC Green Transport Service Platform: FAQ (Verified 2026-10-31): Senior cards eligible for TPASS 2.0+ rebates; points deducted do not count toward cash rebate base.
Related reading: Taipei MRT Eating & Drinking Ban: Rules, Fines & Exceptions · Taiwan EasyCard Refund: NT$20 Fee, Balance Check, Lost Cards · Taiwan Long-Term Care 2.0 & 3.0: 1966 Application Guide · Taipei & New Taipei Library Borrowing and Card Rules · Sports Center Fees and Senior Free Hours in Taipei · Community College Registration and Tuition in Taipei
