Cultural Pass: How long does it last?

The Culture Pass is a French government initiative aimed at encouraging young people to participate in various cultural activities. This program provides financial support to young people aged 15 to 18 to explore the world of culture.

Designed to facilitate access to culture, the Culture Pass allows young people to discover new forms of artistic expression, whether through performances, books, or museum visits. The validity period of this program varies depending on the age of the beneficiaries.

In this article, we will explore in detail the duration of the Culture Pass for different age groups and provide tips to maximize its use.

What is the Culture Pass?

The Culture Pass represents an opportunity for young people to discover and engage in various artistic and cultural activities. It is a program that aims to encourage young people's participation in cultural life by offering them a credit to use for cultural activities and goods.

Origin and objectives of the program

The Culture Pass was launched by the government to promote culture among young people. The main objective is to make culture more accessible by providing financial support to young people so they can participate in a variety of cultural activities. This includes outings to the theater, cinema, museum visits, as well as music or dance classes.

General functioning of the Culture Pass

The Culture Pass operates via a free mobile application that young people aged 15 to 18 can download. After registration, a credit is allocated based on the young person's age. This credit can be used to book and pay for cultural activities directly through the app. The app also allows users to discover cultural offerings nearby, thus facilitating access to local culture. The Culture Pass is divided into two parts: an individual share accessible directly by the young person, and a collective share managed by educational institutions.

How long is the Culture Pass valid?

The validity period of the Culture Pass varies according to the age of the beneficiaries. This information is essential for young people who wish to take advantage of the cultural offers available.

Validity period for 15-17 year olds

For young people aged 15 to 17, the validity period of the Culture Pass is generally until their 18th birthday. During this time, they can use their credit for various cultural activities.

It is important to note that minors must use their credit before they reach adulthood to fully benefit from the offers.

Validity period for 18 year olds

At the age of 18, the Culture Pass takes on a new dimension with a credit of 300 euros valid for 24 months from the date of activation of their account. This period allows young people to plan their cultural spending over two years.

Since March 1, 2025, the amount has been reduced to 150 euros but the validity period has been extended to 4 years, until the day before their 21st birthday. This change offers greater flexibility for young adults.

Young people who turned 18 before March 1, 2025, retain the previous validity conditions, which is 24 months for the 300 euros.

In summary, the validity period of the Culture Pass is designed to adapt to the different ages of the beneficiaries, thus offering maximum flexibility to enjoy cultural activities.

Allocated amounts by age

Young people receive different credits based on their age within the framework of the Culture Pass. This varied allocation reflects the desire to support young people in their cultural development at different stages of their lives.

Credits for 17 year olds

At 17, young people continue to benefit from an interesting credit to explore various cultural activities. The Culture Pass allows them to discover new forms of art and culture. This amount is intended to encourage their curiosity and openness to different artistic expressions.

Seventeen-year-olds can use their credit for cultural outings, workshops, or subscriptions to online cultural services, which is part of the cultural history of Guinea.

Credits for 18 year olds

At the age of 18, the Culture Pass takes on a new dimension with a credit of 300 euros until February 2025, then reduced to 150 euros since March 1, 2025. This amount allows young adults to explore various artistic fields and strengthen their cultural autonomy.

• Young people aged 18 benefit from a larger allocation to enable them to engage in more expensive cultural activities.
• A bonus of 50 euros is granted to beneficiaries with disabilities or meeting certain social criteria, bringing their total to 200 euros.
• Credits can be used for various purchases, with specific caps for certain categories such as digital offers.

The Culture Pass continues to support young people in their cultural journey, adapting the allocated amounts to their needs and age.

Changes to the Culture Pass in 2025

The Culture Pass evolved in 2025, bringing notable changes for young people. Since March 1, 2025, new rules have come into effect, modifying the allocated amounts and the validity period of the program.

New rules for 15-16 year olds

For young people aged 17, the Culture Pass credit has been increased from 30 to 50 euros. This measure aims to further encourage young people to participate in cultural activities, particularly by listening to programs on France Culture radio frequency.

Changes to amounts and duration

The changes in 2025 are not limited to age groups. For 18-year-olds, the credit has been halved, from 300 to 150 euros. However, the duration of credit usage has been significantly extended, from 2 years to 4 years, until the day before their 21st birthday.

These changes aim to redistribute the overall budget of the program while extending the period during which young people can benefit from this cultural access assistance.

How to register for the Culture Pass?

Do you want to discover how to access the Culture Pass? Registration is a crucial step to enjoy the benefits offered by this program.

Downloading the application

The first step is to download the Culture Pass application on your smartphone. This application is available on mobile app stores.

Once the application is installed, you can begin the registration process.

Creating an account and verification

After downloading the Culture Pass application, it is necessary to create your personal account to access the credits.

The registration process requires providing basic information: email address, password, date of birth, and postal code. An email verification is then performed, with a confirmation link sent that must be activated to proceed.

• After downloading the application, create your personal account.
• Provide the requested information: email address, password, date of birth, and postal code.
• Complete the email verification by activating the confirmation link.
• For young people aged 18, click on “Request my 150 €” and provide a valid ID.
• Young people aged 15 to 17 must use their EduConnect credentials to finalize their registration.

Eligibility conditions for the Culture Pass

To benefit from the Culture Pass, it is essential to meet certain eligibility conditions. These conditions vary based on the applicant's age and nationality, as well as their residential situation in France.

Age and nationality criteria

The Culture Pass is intended for young people aged 15 to 18. Eligibility criteria include French nationality or residency status in France for more than a year. Foreign young people must justify their residence in France with appropriate documents.

Nationality and age are determining criteria for obtaining the Culture Pass. Young people must be aged between 15 and 18 and be of French nationality or have residency status in France.

Documents required for registration

To register for the Culture Pass, applicants must provide certain documents. A valid identification document, such as an identity card, passport, or residence permit, is systematically required.

• A valid identification document
• Proof of residence for foreigners residing in France for more than a year

The Culture Pass application allows you to photograph these documents directly. It is crucial to ensure that all information is perfectly legible to avoid any rejection of the application.

What can be purchased with the Culture Pass?

The Culture Pass offers a multitude of possibilities for young people wishing to explore various forms of culture. This program allows access to a wide range of cultural goods and experiences.

Available cultural offers

Young people can use their Culture Pass to acquire various cultural products and services. Among the available offers, there are subscriptions to streaming platforms like Deezer, video games, ebooks, as well as physical goods such as books, musical instruments, and CDs.

Cultural events such as concerts, museum visits, and dance classes are also accessible. This diversity of cultural offers allows young people to choose according to their interests.

Limits and restrictions on use

Although the Culture Pass offers great freedom of choice, some limits and restrictions are in place to ensure a diversity of cultural practices. For digital offers, a cap of 100€ is applied. Physical goods and cultural events can absorb the entire credit, which is 150€ for 18-year-olds since March 2025.

Some categories of products are explicitly excluded, such as school and extracurricular textbooks, pornographic DVDs, and PEGI18 video games. Additionally, it is not possible to use the Culture Pass for sports activities, driving lessons, or the purchase of computer equipment.

The collective share of the Culture Pass

The Culture Pass includes a collective component that supports educational projects within schools. This aspect of the program is designed to encourage educational and cultural initiatives for the benefit of all students.

Functioning in schools

The collective share of the Culture Pass is allocated directly to schools based on the number of students enrolled at each educational level. This amount is intended to finance projects and educational activities.

Amounts allocated by educational level

The amounts allocated vary by educational level: 25 euros per student from sixth to ninth grade, 30 euros per student in tenth grade and CAP, and 20 euros per student in eleventh and twelfth grade. These amounts are designed to support the different stages of the educational journey and support school projects.

The distribution of these amounts allows schools to implement projects tailored to their students' needs, thereby enhancing the impact of the Culture Pass on the educational and cultural journey of young people.

Tips for optimizing the use of the Culture Pass

To make the most of the Culture Pass, it is essential to understand how to use it effectively. The Culture Pass offers a multitude of cultural experiences for young people, but good planning is necessary to fully enjoy it.

Planning cultural spending

Planning expenses is crucial to maximize the benefits of the Culture Pass. It is advisable to book activities in advance, even if they take place after the credit expiration date. This secures a spot for popular events or upcoming shows. By planning this way, beneficiaries can ensure they do not miss out on interesting opportunities while respecting their credit deadlines.

Tips to avoid losing credits

To avoid losing your Culture Pass credits, it is recommended to closely monitor the expiration date and set reminders. Use the early booking feature for future activities. If you have a lot of remaining credit near the deadline, prioritize the purchase of durable goods like books or musical instruments. Regularly check for new offers on the app and feel free to share your experiences with other users to discover new ideas.

Conclusion

The Culture Pass is an initiative that has revolutionized access to culture for young people. By offering a financial allocation tailored to their age, this program allows young people aged 15 to 18 to discover a wide variety of cultural activities.

The validity period of the Culture Pass varies according to age: until the 18th birthday for 15-17 year olds, and for 4 years for 18-year-olds since March 2025. The allocated amounts are also differentiated by age, with particular attention given to young adults.

To fully enjoy the Culture Pass, it is essential to understand the usage conditions and plan spending wisely. The Culture Pass continues to play an essential role in the cultural education of young generations, democratizing access to culture and fostering new enriching artistic experiences.

• An ambitious government initiative to democratize access to culture.
• Validity periods and allocated amounts tailored to each age group.
• A program that continues to play an essential role in the cultural education of young people.