International Student Card in Catalonia 2025: how to apply and take advantage of its benefits

If you are a student in Catalonia, having an international student card can make your academic life easier and open up a world of advantages. This card certifies your student status and allows you to access discounts and benefits in transport, leisure, culture, accommodation, shops, and digital platforms, both in Spain and in other European and global countries.

In this complete guide, we will explain how to apply for the ISIC Card, its requirements, steps to follow, and all the benefits you can take advantage of during your university years. We also include complementary information about other youth cards that, although not strictly academic, can be useful for students.

Additionally, we give practical tips for managing your budget and making the most of discounts during your studies at Unihabit residences, or if you plan to study or travel outside Spain.

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is the globally recognized card that identifies students and certifies their academic status. It is especially useful for international or Erasmus students, as it facilitates mobility, access to benefits, and discounts worldwide.

• Endorsed by UNESCO.
• Valid in more than 130 countries.
• Available in digital version (€11/year) and physical version (€15/year, optional).

• Be a full-time student at a recognized educational institution.
• Be enrolled in the current academic year (proof of enrollment).
  
• Documentation: ID or passport, passport-size photo, valid enrollment proof. 

1. Apply online on the official ISIC website.
2. Choose physical or digital version via the ISIC app.
3. Payment of the card (€11-15 depending on the version).
   

With the ISIC Card, you can access discounts across a wide variety of sectors:

1. Transport: trains, metro, buses, airlines, and car rentals.
   
2. Leisure and culture: museums, theaters, cinemas, concerts, and festivals at reduced rates. Agreements with language schools and gyms.
   
3. Accommodation and travel: hostels, hotels, and platforms like Booking or Hostelworld, plus student-tailored travel insurance.
   
4. Services and shops: digital platforms such as Spotify Premium, Amazon Prime Student, Adobe Creative Cloud; well-known brands like Apple, Microsoft, Adidas, or Levi’s. 

Services and shops: digital platforms such as Spotify Premium, Amazon Prime Student, Adobe Creative Cloud; well-known brands like Apple, Microsoft, Adidas, or Levi’s.

To make the most of your university experience, combine the benefits of the ISIC Card with all the information about the city. Discover our tips and plans in the Complete Guide to Studying and Living in Barcelona.

In Catalonia, there are also other youth cards that, although they do not formally certify student status, can be useful for accessing local and European discounts:

The Carnet Jove is a document that identifies young residents in Catalonia and allows them to access discounts and advantages in transport, culture, leisure, training, and local and European activities. The Carnet Jove is a service of the Generalitat de Catalunya and is part of the European Youth Card Association (EYCA), which extends its benefits to over 30 European countries and all autonomous communities of Spain.

European validity may vary depending on age and country (in some cases limited to 25 years). For more information about validity and participating countries, see Carnet Jove Europa or the EYCA website.

Discover the discounts you can access with the Carnet Jove: https://www.carnetjove.cat/ca/descomptes/

• Young people aged 12 to 30 living in Catalonia.
  
• Main benefits: transport, culture, leisure, and training, plus access to discounts in over 8,000 establishments in Catalonia and over 80,000 in Europe.
  
• Approximate cost: €8.65/year.

Although both the ISIC Card and the Youth Card offer discounts and benefits designed for students and young people, each has a different scope and set of features. Below, we present a table with the main differences to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

Comparison Table:

If you are an international student or participating in an Erasmus program:

• The ISIC will allow you to access international benefits.
  
• The Carnet Jove can be useful to enjoy additional local and European discounts.
  
• Combine available discounts with local offers and explore all opportunities: transport, accommodation, cultural activities, and leisure.
  

Manage your budget by taking advantage of scholarships, free credits, and daily discounts.

In addition to using the discounts offered by student cards, it is important to manage your budget wisely as a university student.
At Unihabit, we share practical tips on how to save money as a university student, from taking advantage of scholarships and free credits to discounts on transport, leisure, and daily services.

Combining these strategies with the benefits of your card can help maximize your budget throughout your university years.

1.What is the student card for?

To access discounts and benefits in transport, leisure, culture, accommodation, shops, and digital platforms.

2.Can I apply if I am under 18 or an international student?

Yes, provided you meet enrollment and documentation requirements.

3.What is the difference between Carnet Jove and ISIC?

The Carnet Jove is local with integrated European validity for young residents in Catalonia. The ISIC card is international, endorsed by UNESCO, and valid in over 130 countries.

4.How much does it cost and how to renew it?

The Youth Card costs €8.65 per year, and the ISIC card costs between €11 and €15 per year.

Now that you know the types of cards, how to apply, and the benefits they offer, it’s time to take the step and make the most of all opportunities during your university years at Unihabit residences.