Student card: types and discounts

Normally when we are students, everyone thinks that we lead a very simple life, that all our expenses are covered by our parents and that we only have to get good grades. But unfortunately not everything is as many people think. But as students we have to work hard to get good grades, or to be able to work part-time. Luckily, not everything is negative, as there are many details that benefit us and we can enjoy them throughout this stage, in fact, the student card helps us to enjoy a lot of discounts, promotions and other offers that especially apply in cultural and leisure sectors.

In this post, we will show you a little more about the benefits of the student card and how you can take advantage of them.

What the student card is for

The student card, in addition to identifying you as a student of an institution, allows you to access a large number of offers with significant discounts in the cultural area, in fact, in many cases it can be completely free.

A very favourable point is that there is no age to study, as long as you are in an institution you will be able to get this document.

However, a very important detail is that you must learn to differentiate between the student card 2022 and the youth card, as the latter does have an age limit.

European Youth Card

But what is the European Youth Card? Popularly known as «European Youth Card», it is a document issued to those who are under 30 years old. To obtain it you must do it from the Autonomous Community, or from INJUVE.

Normally those who have the European Youth Card do not need to have a student card, since with this card they can have much more interesting discounts not only in Spain, but also in the whole Europe.

A clear example of discounts is when taking transport, accommodation, cultural sites, scholarships and other educational services.

To be able to enjoy all these benefits, you should know which are the companies that generate this type of agreements with specific places.

Who can obtain the student card?

The student card is a document that is issued together with the registration of each person. In all institutions, when you obtain this card you will be able to borrow all the books you want from the library.

An important detail to highlight is that it has an expiry date. So if you do not continue studying, you will only be able to use it for a limited period of time.

Depending on the university you are at, you will be able to obtain your personalised student card (this varies from one institution to another).

International student card:

Often referred to as «ISIC», this is a card that is fully approved by UNESCO.

As an international student card, you will be able to enjoy a wide range of benefits regardless of your age, the university and the career you have chosen.

By the simple fact that UNESCO has recognised it, you will be able to enjoy promotions, discounts and new opportunities in more than 135 countries (especially you will have great opportunities to learn new languages).

Discounts you can get with a student card in Europe

Here are some of the discounts you can get if you have a student card from your university or endorsed by UNESCO.

1. Discounts on leisure activities:

In Europe, it is quite common for students to receive discounts and bonuses to go sightseeing, as long as they have a student card.

Normally the sites to which they are allowed free entry are museums or historical sites. Sometimes accompanied by a teacher or tutor who helps them to explain each stage of the tour.

2. Discounts on books and academic material:

Although it is not very common, you may find great seasonal discounts if you are a student, but this is not all, but on certain dates there are promotions at very good prices that only apply to university students.

It is not always necessary to buy academic material, as many of the things you will need can be found in the library.

You will be able to find the books and other materials you need in the university library, or in certain public libraries in the city, where all types of students are admitted.

3. Discounts in sports clubs:

Sport tends to become one of the hobbies of many students, but it is not always possible to do it full time at the institution.

In Spain we can find a large number of sports fields or clubs with discounts for students, in order to access these offers, it is necessary to present a valid European student or youth card.

If you consider yourself a good player, some of these clubs are looking for young people who wish to participate in championships. In exchange for which they can enter without paying any membership fees.

4. Discounted travel:

One of the great advantages enjoyed by students is the fact that they can book flights well in advance without having them cancelled.

Some agencies have special packages for students, offering much lower prices or even tours.

Don’t forget that the best time to travel is when we are young, no matter if it is winter or summer, what is important for many is to get to know and enrich new cultures.

So with your valid student card you will be able to go to the furthest corners of the world, thanks to low prices on plane and bus tickets.

5. Restaurant discounts:

You will probably find these offers in restaurants located around the university you are attending. Many of them have made agreements with the government to cooperate with students and help them save money.

Try to find out which ones they are, maybe when you go to one of them and ask for the promotions they will ask for your ID card to see if you are really telling the truth.

Many young people, even if they are not studying, have taken advantage of coupons and offers. Taking the opportunity away from others who really need it, which is why they now usually ask for a student ID 2022.