Student discounts and youth transport passes

Terms used

• Carné universitario — The carné universitario is the student card your university issues after enrolment.
• Abono Joven — The Abono Joven is Madrid's discounted monthly transport pass for young people.
• Abono Único — The Abono Único is a state monthly transport pass scheme with a lower price for young people.
• T-Jove — The T-Jove is Barcelona's unlimited youth transport pass for ages 4 to 30.
• Carnet Joven — The Carnet Joven is a regional youth card with discounts on travel, culture, leisure and shops.

Key rules

• Madrid Abono Joven: The Madrid Abono Joven is for people under 26 and costs 20 euros a month.
• Student card: Your university card is issued after enrolment, and what it includes depends on the university.
• Regional passes: Youth transport passes and youth cards are set by each region, so ages and prices differ.
• Museums: Bring your student card to museums, since many offer free or reduced entry.

Start with your student card

Your university gives you its own student card (carné universitario) once you enrol, usually in the first weeks of the course. International students get the same card as everyone else. Ask the university office what yours includes, because features differ by university.

The card usually does several jobs:

• It proves you are a student and opens the library, sports facilities and computer rooms.
• It often works as a payment card, and in many regions it can carry a public-transport pass.
• It gets you discounts at museums, cinemas and events.
• Some universities also offer a mobile version.

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is a separate, optional card that also gives student discounts. Check what your university card already covers before you pay for it.

Cheaper public transport

Transport is where young people save most. There are two layers: a state scheme and regional passes.

State scheme. The Abono Único is a state transport scheme with a monthly pass and a lower price for young people. Apply through your regional transport authority or the Ministry of Transport's online platform. Check the age limit and the current price before you apply.

Madrid. The Abono Joven is for people under 26 and costs 20 euros a month. It is valid in all zones, and you can use it until the day before your 26th birthday. Request it online or at a transport office of the regional transport consortium. It is loaded onto the Tarjeta Transporte Público.

Barcelona. The T-Jove is for ages 4 to 30 and gives unlimited travel in the integrated fare system. The price depends on the zone. Some conditions require you to be resident in Catalonia. Request it online or at a transport office, and it is loaded onto a personal card.

Elsewhere. Other regions have their own youth passes. Ask your regional transport authority or your university which one applies to you.

Youth cards, museums and culture

• The Carnet Joven is a regional youth card, usually for ages 14 to 30. Each autonomous community runs its own, with discounts on travel, culture, leisure and shops. The European Youth Card is linked to it.
• Many state museums, such as the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen, have free or reduced entry for students and for visitors under 25 or 26. Bring your student card and passport.
• Renfe sells rail discounts with the Carné Joven. State youth rail products are under review, so check the current offer when you buy.
• If you are 18, the Bono Cultural Joven gives you a cultural spending budget.

Each region and venue sets its own terms, so ask before you buy. The questions below cover the most common doubts.

Frequently asked questions

Can my university card work as a transport pass?

Yes, in many regions the university card can carry public-transport passes, but this depends on your university. Ask the student services office when you collect the card, usually in the first weeks of the course. International students get the same card once enrolled.

Do I need the ISIC card if I already have a university card?

No, the ISIC is a separate optional card, and your university card already covers campus services and many museum and cinema discounts. The ISIC can still be useful for student discounts elsewhere.

Can I get a youth transport pass if I live outside Madrid or Barcelona?

Yes, you may qualify for the state Abono Único Joven if you are 26 or under, and many regions run a Carnet Joven youth card, usually for ages 14 to 30.

Which museums offer free or cheaper entry for students?

Many state museums, such as the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen, have free or reduced entry for students and for visitors under 25 or 26. Bring your student card and ID. Each museum sets its own terms, so check before you go.