Lille metro subscription: Ilévia fares, student offers and how to apply

Understanding means-tested social pricing

Social pricing is a support scheme set up by the European Metropolis of Lille to make transport affordable for low-income households and students. Eligibility for discounts is based on your Family Quotient (QF), calculated by the Caisse d’Allocations Familiales (CAF) or using your tax notice. The lower your resources, the higher the discount. Up-to-date thresholds and fares can be found on the official Ilévia Social & Solidarity Pricing page. There are three main bands:

• QF1 profile (quotient less than or equal to €456): the maximum discount. The monthly subscription drops to about €3.60 per month.
• QF2 profile (quotient between €457 and €607): a very attractive intermediate discount. The pass costs about €8.54 per month.
• QF3 profile (quotient between €608 and €810): this band generally applies to most grant-holding students. The subscription costs about €14.32 per month.

If your resources exceed the QF3 ceiling (quotient above €810), you automatically move to the standard Lille metro subscription for non-grant students. Your file must then be reassessed to switch to the standard offer.

How to take out an Ilévia subscription

You can subscribe directly online via the official Ilévia shop, or in person at a network agency. Frequent services make it easy to plan your trips.

To validate your tickets at the start of each journey, you must have a personal Pass Pass card. Your tickets must be scanned at each validation point in stations. The variety of ticket types makes it possible to adapt to each traveller profile.

To order your plan online, follow these simple steps:

1. Create your account on the official Ilévia website.
2. Upload an ID photo and a valid identity document.
3. Provide proof of address within the MEL.
4. For the Lille metro subscription for grant-holding students: add your family quotient certificate (CAF) or your tax notice to validate the solidarity fare.
5. For the Lille metro subscription for non-grant students or the general public: pay the full amount by bank card, or set up a direct debit mandate for monthly payments.

💬 Advice: complete your steps from August. Processing and card delivery times increase as the academic year approaches.

What are the conditions and steps to cancel a subscription?

Cancellation terms depend on the type of plan you chose. A single ticket or a weekly/daily pass ends automatically. A clear cancellation process avoids unpleasant surprises. Validating your cancellation request will definitively end your contractual obligations. To centralise cancellations across the metropolitan area, Ilévia has harmonised its rules. Mid-year cancellations must follow a precise process. Personalised support helps with more complex cancellation requests.

For a long-term subscription (grant-holding student, non-grant student or general public), cancellation requires an active step. An early cancellation request is subject to approval.

Here are the strict rules to stop your direct debits:

Deadline: your cancellation request must be submitted before the 25th of the current month to stop the following month’s debit.

Procedure: you can submit your request from your online customer account or by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.

Valid reasons: if you cancel before the end of the 12-month commitment period, you must provide official supporting documents (end of studies in Lille, internship in another city, moving out of the metropolitan area, or health reasons).

💬 Tip: the long-term plan allows you to temporarily suspend your monthly payments for one or two months if you leave the region during the summer holidays.

Are there special offers or additional discounts on the network?

The Lille network offers very attractive intermodal solutions. Your Ilévia pass includes access to regional TER trains operated by SNCF for travel within the metropolitan area. This extensive TER network complements urban lines and makes journeys even easier.

If you have a student job alongside your studies (for both non-grant and grant-holding students), note that your employer is legally required to cover at least 50% of the cost of your public transport subscription for home-to-work commuting.

The network also offers fares for occasional travel:

• Zap ticket: a reduced fare of €1.20 designed for short journeys of up to 3 metro or tram stops.
• Books of 10 trips: €15.80 per booklet (i.e., €1.58 per trip), more economical than buying single tickets at the machine: perfect for frequent travel.
• 1-day pass: €5.50 for unlimited travel for 24 hours across the whole network (bus, metro, tram and TER within the MEL). A great option for occasional use or a day out.

💬 Good to know: download your proof of purchase each month from your Ilévia customer account and send it to your employer to receive the reimbursement.

Where to find official information and contact details

To check real-time schedules, metro line status or plan a route, download the official Ilévia mobile app. Online schedules help you avoid waiting unnecessarily on the platform.

If you prefer to visit an agency to finalise your Lille metro subscription for grant-holding or non-grant students, several service desks are available.

Here is practical information to contact customer service:

Physical sales points: located at major stations such as Gare Lille Flandres, Gare Lille Europe or République Beaux-Arts.

Opening hours: agencies are generally open Monday to Saturday, 7:30am to 7:30pm.

Phone: customer service can be reached at +33 (0)3 20 40 40 40 (local call rate).

💬 Tip: if your card is lost or stolen, report it at an agency. Your pass and all your rights will be transferred to a new card for a production fee of €8.