At what age can one benefit from the Culture Pass?

The Culture Pass is a French government initiative designed to encourage young people to explore various cultural offerings. Since March 1, 2025, the eligibility criteria and allocated amounts have been modified for different age groups.

These changes aim to make culture more accessible to young people. From now on, young individuals can benefit from free offers starting at 15 years, a credit of €50 at 17 years, and a credit of €150 at 18 years. In this section, we will explore in detail the benefits related to each age group and how to register for the Culture Pass.

What is the Culture Pass?

Launched in 2021, the government initiative of the Culture Pass aims to facilitate young people's access to culture in all its forms. This innovative program consists of two components: an individual share that allocates personal credit to young people, and a collective share intended for educational institutions.

Objectives of the initiative

The main objectives of the Culture Pass are to democratize access to culture, diversify young people's cultural practices, and support the French cultural sector. It also aims to promote artistic and cultural education from an early age.

Evolution of the Culture Pass since its inception

Since its launch, the Culture Pass has undergone several significant changes. In 2022, it was extended to young people aged 15. The latest major reform, effective from March 1, 2025, has modified the allocated amounts and eligibility criteria. This ongoing adaptation reflects the initiative's desire to meet the needs of young people and budgetary realities.

• The Culture Pass is a government initiative to facilitate young people's access to culture.
• This program includes an individual share and a collective share for educational institutions.
• The objectives include democratizing access to culture and supporting the French cultural sector.
• The Culture Pass has evolved since its inception, notably with the extension to young people aged 15 in 2022.
• The latest reform dates back to March 1, 2025, modifying the amounts and eligibility criteria.

What age for the Culture Pass in 2025?

Since March 1, 2025, the Culture Pass for youth has undergone significant changes. These modifications aim to adapt the program to the needs of young people while controlling public spending.

The changes since March 1, 2025

The Culture Pass is now accessible from the age of 15, but with different modalities depending on the age groups. Young people aged 15-16 no longer have individual credit, but they can access free offers through the application. At 17, young people benefit from a credit of €50 to finance cultural activities.

• Access to free offers for 15-16 year-olds
• €50 credit at 17 for cultural activities
• €150 credit at 18, with a possible bonus of €50

Comparison with the previous system

Before the reform on March 1, 2025, the system allocated €20 at 15, €30 at 16 and 17, and €300 at 18. Young people who turned 17 or 18 before March 1, 2025, retain the benefits of the previous system.

The Culture Pass for 15-16 year-olds

Since March 2025, the Culture Pass is accessible to young people aged 15-16 without individual credit. This new provision allows teenagers to discover the Culture Pass application and enjoy various free cultural offers.

Access to free offers

Young people aged 15-16 can register on the Culture Pass application to access a multitude of free offers. These include movie tickets, tickets for live performances, museum visits and exhibitions, as well as artistic workshops. This period is ideal for becoming familiar with the local cultural ecosystem.

• Discover a variety of cultural events at no cost.
• Enjoy educational and entertaining content.
• Explore the cultural riches of your region.

Why register at 15?

Registering at 15 offers several advantages for young people. It allows them to discover the Culture Pass application, develop their personal tastes, and stay informed about local cultural events. Early registration also promotes the establishment of lasting cultural habits.

The Culture Pass at 17

At 17, young people have access to a credit of €50 on their Culture Pass to finance cultural activities of their choice. This credit is available from the day of their 17th birthday and remains usable until the day before their 21st birthday.

Allocated amount and eligibility criteria

To be eligible, young people must be at least 17 years old, have resided in France stably for at least one year, and have created an account on the Culture Pass application. The €50 credit is then automatically credited to their account.

Using the €50 credit

This credit can be used for various outings and digital offers, such as books, concerts, movies, museums, artistic courses and workshops, as well as subscriptions to online cultural platforms. Young people can spend this amount in one go or split it according to their needs and desires. Moreover, the youth culture pass offers a unique opportunity to access enriching cultural experiences.

It is important to note that young people who turned 17 before March 1, 2025, and who have already received €30 do not benefit from the new €50 credit.

The Culture Pass at 18

When a young person reaches the age of 18, the Culture Pass offers them a new credit to finance cultural activities. This credit is automatically deposited into their Culture Pass account.

€150 credit: terms and duration

The €150 credit is available as soon as the young person turns 18. This amount can be used until the day before their 21st birthday, either in one go or in several installments, depending on the purchases made.

€50 bonus: specific conditions

An additional €50 bonus is possible under certain conditions. To benefit from it, the young person must either be a recipient of the disabled child education allowance (AEEH) or the disabled adults allowance (AAH). Additionally, if the family quotient of the legal guardian is below a certain threshold defined by ministerial decree, the young person may also benefit from this bonus.

It is important to note that young people who turned 18 before March 1, 2025, retain the €300 credit provided by the old system.

The collective share of the Culture Pass

The Culture Pass is not limited to individual aid; it also has a collective dimension. This component is intended for educational institutions to finance group cultural activities, notably through the use of the culture pass.

Operation for middle school students

For middle school students, from 6th to 9th grade, the allocated amount is €25 per student. These funds allow for the organization of cultural outings, meetings with artists or cultural professionals, and collective artistic projects. Teachers can book activities on a dedicated platform.

Operation for high school students

For high school students, the amount varies: €30 per student for CAP and second year, and €20 per student for first and final year. This differentiation allows for activities to be adapted according to the needs and projects of different classes. Teachers use the same dedicated platform to book activities.

How to register for the Culture Pass?

To benefit from the Culture Pass, it is essential to know how to register. This process is simple and quick and can be done directly on the application or the dedicated website.

Registration steps on the application

To register, you need to download the official application on your smartphone (iOS or Android) or visit the dedicated website. Creating a account requires providing your personal information.

Documents required for registration

Several supporting documents are required: an identity document and proof of residence. In case of being hosted by a third party, additional documents are necessary.

What can be purchased with the Culture Pass?

The Culture Pass allows young people to discover new cultural experiences through a diverse offering. Beneficiaries can use their credit to access a multitude of cultural options, both physical and digital.

Available cultural offers

Among the available offers are a wide variety of cultural products and activities:

• Books, comics, DVDs, CDs, vinyl records, musical instruments, sheet music
• Movie tickets, tickets for performances (theater, dance, concerts)
• Entry to museums and exhibitions
• Artistic courses and workshops
• Subscriptions to digital cultural platforms or cultural media

Young people can thus explore different aspects of culture, enriching their personal experience.

Restrictions and limitations

Some restrictions apply to the use of the Culture Pass:

• Online purchases are capped, particularly for digital offers, to encourage physical cultural experiences.
• Physical goods purchased via the Culture Pass cannot be resold.
• Outings and activities are geolocated to encourage the discovery of cultural venues near home.
• Some services like Netflix, Spotify Premium, or video games are not eligible for the Culture Pass.

These limitations aim to promote a rich and varied cultural experience while regulating the use of funds.

Validity period of the Culture Pass credit

Young people have a generous period to use their Culture Pass credit. This initiative allows for flexible management of their cultural budget over several years.

Use until 21 years old

The Culture Pass credit remains valid until the day before the beneficiary turns 21. This long validity period allows young people to plan their cultural outings at their own pace.

• The credit can be used in one go for a significant purchase.
• It can also be spent gradually on various cultural activities.
• The application allows real-time tracking of the available balance and the history of purchases made online.

Managing credit over time

It is important to note that there is no obligation to spend all the credit at once. This encourages thoughtful cultural consumption. However, unused credits on the eve of the 21st birthday are permanently lost and cannot be transferred or refunded.

It is therefore recommended to plan cultural spending to make the most of the allocated amount before it expires. This can be done in several installments, choosing activities that match the young person's interests.

Conclusion

The Culture Pass represents a wonderful opportunity for young people aged 15 to 20 to discover and access culture in all its forms.

With a progressive system that offers free offers starting at 15, followed by credits of €50 at 17 and €150 at 18, the initiative supports young people in their cultural journey.

Young people can thus diversify their cultural practices according to their personal tastes, whether for books, concerts, museum visits, or artistic courses.

To fully benefit from this initiative, it is recommended to register as early as 15 and to keep in mind that the credit remains valid until the age of 21.