One of the ways that retirees in Mexico can save even more money is by getting a senior discount card issued by the Mexican government. The agency tasked with issuing the cards is the Instituto Nacional de las Personas Adultas Mayores, which is more commonly known as INAPAM.
Card holders can receive a wide range of discounts on everything from restaurants to legal assistance.
Requirements
The card is free and is available to people age 60 or older.
In the case of non-citizens, the person must have either a temporary or permanent resident card. Tourist visas are not accepted.
How to Apply
You must apply in person at an INAPAM office. The office hours are Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) between the hours of 8:00 am and 2:00 pm.
You must bring the original and a copy of the following:
Proof of Identity and Age: Passport, Mexican drivers license, Mexican voter ID card, or resident card
Proof of Address: Mexican voter ID card, or a utility bill that is less than 3 months old
Photos: Two recent passport sized photos (black and white or in color) taken against a white background — no hats or glasses.
Proof of Legal Status (non-citizens): Temporary or permanent resident card and passport
Finding the Discounts
INAPAM has lists of businesses and service providers that give discounts to card holders. They are broken down by category:
Food and Groceries (43 page PDF)
Property Taxes, Water and Legal Services (40 page PDF)
Education, Recreation, Culture and Sports (35 page PDF)
Health (121 page PDF)
Clothing and Home (68 page PDF)
These lists are not complete by any means. That’s why it always pays to ask businesses about available discounts.
Let’s Wrap This Up
Linda and I are still a few years away from being able to qualify for our INAPAM cards. Until then, we’ll just have to work a little harder at saving money.
We use ours all the time! Ride the local bus for 4 pesos, ride the luxurious ETN bus to Guadalajara (we live in Puerto Vallarta) round trip for the two of us $1260 pesos, discounts at Guadalajara Farmacia on medicine, discount at our local eye glass store, half off on property taxes (already low anyways), and other soon to be discovered discounts!
Sounds like you’re getting the most out of your cards. 🙂
Do age 60 homeowners get 50% off property taxes in Tulum, Quintana Roo as Patti and Bob mentioned they get in PV?
I looked thru the PDF document. If I’m looking at it correctly, there is NO property tax discount or water or legal work discount in Quintana Roo for persons over age 60. One of only 2 or 3 states that don’t give a Senior discount for those things. Is that correct????
Nothing much for medical or pharmacy discounts either for people over 60 either in Quintana Roo. Hmmm…
We live in Cozumel QRoo, and with our INPANA card, we got 50% off our taxes. You have to show them a “registered” copy of your trust and residency card. When we got our residency, they told us to Google Mexico state discounts with card..Larger states have more discounts than QRoo. My advice is always show your card, cause u never know if it is acceptable.I assume all cities/towns in QRoo get the same discount.
Hello Cozumeldebdeb. Could i get in touch with you directly to discuss your comments about the INAPAM and the discounts on property taxes? My direct e-mail is DJHOUSTON@MSN.COM You can contact me by email to start with. Do you have a facebook account? maybe we could message on FB or talk by cell. We bought a home in July of 2017 in Akumal and are transitioning down there permanently in 5 more months. Thanks David Houston. You can find me on FB under my name in Dallas, TX
ADO is 50% discount. But if you are planning a long trip, buy your ticket in advance. They only give discount for two seats per bus. Farmacies in supermarkets often give 10%. For eating out, I’ve only found discount of 10% at the casa de los abuelos. Make sure you show your card before the bill is made up
Thanks for sharing that information, Lis.
If you are paying predial in December you already get a 50% discount. If you have this card do you get more of a discount?
Correct me if I’m wrong but the Property Tax max discount in Tulum, Quintana Roo is 15%. Is it different in other Mexican states?
Paying in Dec gets you approx 20% discount. Senior card gets you 50%, but all docs need to be in order including residency/registered trust if foreign owner.
Correct me if I’m wrong but the Property Tax max discount in Tulum, Quintana Roo is 15%. Is it different in other Mexican states?
Tulum is in QRoo, so assuming you r 60 or older with permanent/temporary residency and a registered copy of your trust with your INPANA CARD, it’s 50% discount.
Predial is discounted for everyone if paying in December, but depending on your municipality is by how much. Never 50% except for Inapam holders….however the property must be in your name….not the bank trust (fideicomiso). I believe that if your property is valued too high, you will not be entitled to the inapam discount.
Hi Paul! We will be going for our INAPAM cards as soon as we are granted our permanent visas. Every discount counts! Already we are getting a “locals” discount at some restaurants even without our permanent visas. Been here 7 weeks already (and haven’t worn shoes yet ).
Hahaha, I’m glad to hear that things are going so well. The only downside to never wearing shoes is that your feet may reject them the next time you have to put them on. 🙂
Great info, as always! Thank you for your contributions.
In Puerto Morelos no more predial discount than the December on.
10% at Chedraui pharmacy. ADO. We had to provide copy of birth certificate.
Are you a permanent/temporary resident and over age 60?
Hi, in Puerto Morelos you do get the 50% discount, but the catastral has to have your name on, and there is a ceiling….what I mean, if your property is valued over a certain amount, you don’t qualify. I forgot to mention you get 50% off the ferries to Isla and Cozumel