Concessions for foreign seniors in Taiwan are highly conditional and generally not available to short-term tourists. To qualify for senior concessions, a foreigner must be age 65 or older and possess an Alien Permanent Residence Certificate (APRC), meaning they are a long-term, official resident of Taiwan.
If you are a tourist or a resident without an APRC, you typically do not qualify for the specialized senior discounts (the “Senior/Welfare Card”) offered to local citizens.
1. Concessions for Foreign Permanent Residents (APRC Holders)
In recent years, major cities have expanded social welfare to include foreign residents with an APRC.
| City | Age & Residency Requirement | Concession Card & Benefits |
| Taipei / New Taipei | Age 65+ with APRC and city residency. | Senior Love Card (敬老卡) or Senior EasyCard. Provides a monthly allowance (e.g., NT$480 in points) for: |
| * MRT, Bus, Taiwan Railways (TRA) & Airport MRT subsidies. | ||
| * Taxi subsidies (in certain fleets). | ||
| * Admission discounts to municipal venues (e.g., gyms, sports facilities). | ||
| Taichung | Age 65+ with APRC and city residency. | Taichung Senior Citizen Card. Provides a monthly allowance (e.g., NT$1,000 in social welfare points) for: |
| * Free Bus Rides below a certain distance (e.g., 10 kilometers). | ||
| * Discounted medical treatment. | ||
| * Free use of public sports facilities. | ||
| Kaohsiung / Tainan | Age 65+ with APRC and city residency. | Similar programs offering free or discounted local bus/MRT rides are available, following the pattern of Taipei and Taichung. |
Application: Eligible permanent residents must apply in person at their local district office (區公所) with their APRC and a photo.
2. Concessions for Foreign Tourists (Non-APRC Holders)
If you are visiting Taiwan on a standard tourist visa, senior-specific discounts are limited or non-existent on the major transport networks.
- Mass Rapid Transit (MRT): Tourists pay the standard adult fare. There is no special senior ticket for the Taipei/Kaohsiung MRT systems.
- Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR): Tourists aged 65 or older can purchase a Concession Ticket (半價票), which offers a 50% discount off the standard adult fare. You must present your passport and possibly other ID (like a temporary entry permit) to verify your age when purchasing the ticket.
- Taiwan Railways (TRA): Standard TRA (local trains) typically offer a half-fare ticket for seniors aged 65 and above upon presenting a passport.
- Museums & Attractions: Many national museums, parks, and attractions offer a half-price or free ticket to seniors aged 65 and over. You must present your passport at the ticket counter to claim the discount.
Summary for Tourists (Age 65+)
If you’re just visiting Taiwan, here are the concessions available for you.
| Service | Concession Available? | Requirement |
| Taipei/Kaohsiung MRT (Subway) | No (Must pay full fare) | – |
| Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR) | Yes (50% off) | Present Passport |
| Taiwan Railways (TRA) | Yes (Half-fare) | Present Passport |
| National Attractions (e.g., National Palace Museum) | Often Yes (Varies) | Present Passport |
Please note that information may be incorrect. Let us know if that is the case.