Belgian state railway operator NMBS/SNCB will stop selling tickets on board of its trains from 1 July 2026, as part of a broader crackdown on fare evasion and aggression towards staff.
With the move, NMBS/SNCB follows the example of most other European countries, where it has long been impossible to purchase a ticket on the train. Currently, only 1.5% of SNCB tickets are sold onboard.
The decision follows a rise in aggression against staff, with 2,602 cases recorded in 2025, an average of seven per day, compared to 2,103 cases the year before. Physical violence accounted for over 40% of incidents in 2025, with the remaining cases involving insults or threats. SNCB says that lack of a valid ticket was the primary cause of these conflicts.
As of July 1, 2026, the operator will no longer offer the option to purchase a ticket from the conductor on board the train. “This makes the rules even clearer, preventing the sometimes heated discussions between passengers and onboard staff during inspections,” said the operator in a statement.
More checks and stricter penalties
To enforce the new rule, SNCB is boosting inspections with 50% more checks in 2025 compared to 2024. Mobile teams, alongside Securail agents, railway police, and local authorities, will conduct targeted checks on high-fraud routes. Passengers found without a ticket face an initial fine of €90, rising to €250 for non-payment, and €500 for repeat offences. The current financial impact of fraud on the company runs into the tens of millions of euros every year, according to the operator.
The Belgian rail operator is also exploring access gates at stations to further prevent fare evasion. While digital sales (website, app, and ticket machines) now account for over 90% of transactions, the operator will run awareness campaigns of the change until June to inform passengers.
Read more: