Information on the CIT Security Paper

What is the CIT Security Paper?

The CIT Security Paper is a harmonised security paper for railway tickets incorporating the © CIT Security Background 2012. It is a CIT product designed for use by CIT members and their contractual partners, and provides a high level of protection for rail tickets used in both international and domestic transport. It is currently the most widely used security paper for rail tickets in Europe.

Tickets using this security paper may be issued at ticket offices, vending machines or printed on board trains using mobile terminals.

Who can use it?

The © CIT Security Background 2012, used for the CIT Security Paper, is the intellectual property of CIT and is protected through registration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). CIT members have a non-exclusive right to use this security background. Non-CIT members may also use it if they conclude a license agreement with CIT.

Sectoral standard and EU legislation

The © CIT Security Background 2012 includes several sophisticated security features described in the Manual for International Rail Tickets (MIRT). The paper incorporates several security features comparable to those used in banknotes, such as special colours, microtext, hidden elements and stock control numbers.

This ticket format also complies with European legislation, in particular Technical Document B.11 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/253 (TEL TSI), contributing to interoperability and the mutual recognition of rail tickets across Europe.

How to request the CIT Security Background

If you wish to request the © CIT Security Background 2012 for your tickets, please complete the template below and send it to info@cit-rail.org.

Lost or stolen ticket stock

If you are already using tickets printed on the © CIT Security Background 2012 and your ticket stock has been lost or stolen, please report this as soon as possible to the CIT General Secretariat (info@cit-rail.org) using the template below.