How to get €500 with the culture pass: practical guide

The cultural pass is a government initiative aimed at encouraging access to culture for young people. This scheme offers a credit of up to €500, allowing beneficiaries to participate in various cultural activities.

Young people aged certain years are eligible for this program, which recently underwent changes in 2025 regarding the distribution of amounts by age group. This practical guide will explain how to benefit from this scheme and maximize your credit.

By registering and activating your account, you can use the application to fully enjoy this financial aid. The cultural pass represents a unique opportunity for young people to discover and appreciate various forms of culture.

What is the cultural pass?

Launched in 2019, the cultural pass application is a state-funded scheme to facilitate young people's access to culture. It is a French government initiative aimed at encouraging cultural participation among young people.

The origin and objective of the scheme

The cultural pass was born from the government's desire to facilitate access to diverse forms of culture for young people. The main objective is to democratize access to culture by offering young people a credit dedicated to various cultural activities.

The evolution of the cultural pass since its inception

Since its creation, the cultural pass has undergone several changes, particularly concerning the amounts allocated and the age groups involved. Initially launched for 18-year-olds, it was extended to teenagers aged 15 to 17 in January 2022, reflecting the desire to introduce young people to cultural diversity as early as possible.

Eligibility conditions for the cultural pass in 2025

To benefit from the Cultural Pass in 2025, certain eligibility conditions must be met. These conditions are crucial for determining who can take advantage of this scheme.

Age criteria for benefiting from the pass

Young people aged 15 to 20 are eligible for the Cultural Pass, with different credit amounts depending on their exact age. The age criteria are specific and vary according to the level of credit available. For example, 15-year-olds receive a certain amount, while those aged 18 receive a different amount.

Other required conditions

In addition to age, other conditions must be met. Beneficiaries must be of French nationality, nationals of a member country of the European Economic Area (EEA) or the Swiss Confederation, or legally residing in France for more than 12 months. Acceptance of the general terms of use of the application is also required, which includes personal data protection and access rules to the platform.

How to get €500 with the cultural pass: age distribution

Since March 2025, the cultural pass has introduced a new distribution of amounts for young people. This modification aims to adapt financial aid to the different ages of beneficiaries, providing them with varied cultural opportunities.

The amount for 15-16 year olds

For young people aged 15 and 16, the cultural pass no longer provides individual credit. However, they can access free offers and exclusive cultural events offered through the application. This allows them to discover new cultural experiences without having to use individual credit.

The credit at 17

At 17, young people receive a credit of 50 euros. This amount is intended to finance cultural activities such as purchasing books, tickets for shows or concerts. This credit is valid for a specific period, allowing young people to plan their cultural spending.

The credit at 18 and possible bonuses

When young people turn 18, their cultural pass account is credited with 150 euros, usable until the day before their 21st birthday. This amount can be used in one or several transactions. Additionally, some young people may receive a bonus of 50 euros if they are disabled or meet certain social criteria, bringing the total amount to 200 euros.

Registration procedure for the cultural pass

To enjoy the cultural pass, it is essential to follow a simple and quick registration procedure.

Downloading the application

The first step is to download the cultural pass application available for free on the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).

Young people must download the application on mobile or computer and have their EduConnect credentials ready.

Creating an account and verifying identity

Once the application is downloaded, the young person must create an account by providing certain personal information (name, surname, date of birth, etc.).

During this online registration, it is necessary to scan their identity document and a proof of residence or a housing certificate.

Activating the credit

The application automatically verifies the user's eligibility based on their age and situation.

If the user meets the criteria, they can access their credit, which corresponds to the amount of money distributed based on their age. The credit is activated automatically and is directly accessible through the application.

What you can buy with your cultural pass

The cultural pass allows young people to engage in enriching cultural experiences through a variety of offers. This scheme promotes access to a multitude of cultural activities and goods, whether physical or digital.

Eligible cultural offers

Beneficiaries of the cultural pass can enjoy a wide range of cultural offers, ranging from traditional outings like concert, theater, or cinema tickets, to cultural activities such as dance, music, or drawing classes and workshops.

Physical cultural goods such as books, CDs, vinyl records, and musical instruments are also eligible. Additionally, the use of the cultural pass allows access to digital services like online newspaper subscriptions or music streaming platforms.

Restrictions and purchase limitations

Despite the diversity of offers available, certain restrictions apply. For example, school and extracurricular books are not eligible for the cultural pass. Furthermore, spending on digital goods such as ebooks or subscriptions to streaming services is capped.

It is important to note that certain products like accessories for musical instruments or computer equipment are excluded from the scheme. Beneficiaries should therefore be mindful of these limitations when using their cultural pass.

How to effectively use the cultural pass application

To fully enjoy the cultural pass, it is essential to understand how to use the associated application. The cultural pass application is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, with a geolocated interface that allows users to discover cultural offers near them.

Navigation and searching for offers

Navigation within the application allows users to view offers sorted by categories (shows, books, music, etc.) or by geographical proximity, thus facilitating the search for activities that match the user's interests.

The offers are varied and include shows, concerts, books, museums, exhibitions, subscriptions to music or cinema platforms, as well as music lessons and cultural offers in stores.

Booking and payment with credit

To book an activity or purchase a cultural good, simply select the offer of your choice and proceed to online payment using the credit available in your account. The credit can be used in one single transaction for an expensive activity or in portions for several smaller expenses.

After each purchase, the corresponding amount is automatically deducted from the available balance, and the user receives a QR code that allows them to collect or consume the reserved good or service.

Tips to maximize your cultural pass credit

Maximizing your cultural pass credit is within reach with a few simple tips. Indeed, with a bit of planning and strategy, you can fully enjoy the cultural activities offered.

Take advantage of exclusive and free offers

To make the most of your cultural pass credit, consider regularly exploring the exclusive and free offers available through the application. Here are some tips:

• Frequently check new offers to not miss out on interesting cultural events.
• Take advantage of special discounts reserved for cultural pass users.
• Combine free offers with paid ones to maximize the use of your credit.

Plan your cultural spending

Plan your cultural spending based on your priority interests. Here are some suggestions:

• Identify the cultural activities that matter most to you.
• Wait until you turn 18 to make significant purchases if you are close to that age, to benefit from a more substantial credit.
• Remember to use your cultural pass credit before its expiration date.

Conclusion

The cultural pass remains a flagship government initiative for young people in France. It represents an exceptional opportunity for those aged 15 to 20 to discover a wide range of cultural activities. Despite the changes in 2025, young people aged 17-18 can accumulate up to €300, or even €350 with the bonus. Registration is simple and quick thanks to the dedicated application. To maximize the use of the cultural pass, it is advisable to plan your expenses and take advantage of exclusive offers. This scheme continues to play an essential role in democratizing access to culture.