For the start of the 2023 school year, the Culture pass will be extended to students in 6th and 5th grade, but also to young French people living abroad. Eligibility conditions, age, amount, procedures… What you need to know about the government’s Culture pass.
THE Culture pass was designed by the government to all young people and students, under the age of 18, who are interested in culture and the arts. Since its launch in 2021, nearly 2.8 million young people have used this device to discover cultural experiences close to home. This financial assistance makes it possible in particular to finance part of certain outings or cultural purchases. Who can benefit ? What is the amount of the Culture Pass according to the age of the children? How to request it? Here is everything you need to know about this aid for young people.
What is the Culture Pass?
Set up in May 2021, the Culture pass is a financial aid granted to each young person to carry out an artistic activity, take advantage of outings to cultural venues (cinemas, theatres, concert halls, museums, etc.) and/or invite friends to share a cultural discovery (“duo” offers). The Culture Pass also makes it possible to finance cultural purchases.
Who can benefit from the Culture pass, at what age?
The Culture pass is aimed at young people under the age of 18, educated or not, residing in metropolitan France or overseas. Concretely, those who can benefit from it are:
- Students in 6th and 5th gradefrom the start of the 2023 school year
- Young people aged 15 to 17
- Young people aged 18.
- People aged 18 who do not have French nationality, but who live in mainland France and overseas can also benefit from it.
Can I benefit from the Culture pass at 19 or 20?
The Culture pass cannot be obtained at the age of 19 or 20. Must apply before age 19 to be eligible. On the other hand, the pass is valid for 2 years, so if a young person is 18 when he receives his pass, he can use it at the age of 19.
What is the amount of the Culture pass?
The amount of the Culture pass varies according to the age of the young people:
- 15-year-old students receive a Culture pass from 20 euros.
- Pupils aged 16 and 17 with a Culture pass from 30 euro.
- 18 year olds have a credit of 300 euros.
What can you buy with the Culture pass?
The Culture pass can be used in various cultural venues or online platforms. It allows to :
- Book cinema or show tickets
- Buy books, drawing materials or a musical instrument,
- Subscribe to an online music or video platform
- To visit museums
- Take dancing, singing or acting lessons
In total, more than 17,000 cultural actors are referenced in the Culture pass catalog. Despite this richness, some offers are sometimes restricted. For example, books are to be collected from bookstores and cannot be ordered with Amazon. On the music side, it is only the Deezer application that is offered and not Spotify. Finally, subscriptions on video platforms concern Canal +, OCS, Filmo TV but not Netflix, Amazon Prime or Disney. Another limit: digital expenses cannot exceed 100 euros. In addition, the government is also considering expanding the actions of the Culture pass outside of school time to offer “learning holidays” or artistic colonies, indicate the two ministries in their press release dated February 2023.
To use the Culture pass, everything is done online, on a free application. Download the Culture pass app on a computer or on a mobile phone via Google Play or the AppStore. All you have to do is register, then book activities or cultural products directly on the application. Easy to use, it offers several features such as the duo offer which allows you to invite friends or geolocation which allows you to discover all the offers around your home.
When can I use the Culture pass?
► 18-year-olds must use the Culture Pass within 24 months. After this period, they can keep the pass to consult the catalog of free offers submitted.
► For middle and high school students, credits are awarded each year. They can be used until the date of the student’s 18th birthday without possible postponement after this period.
Source: Deployment of the culture pass and the artistic and cultural education policy: communication to the Council of Ministers. Government Education Site (February 2023)