What you need to know about the end of the individual Culture Pass for under-17s

Launched in 2019 in certain French départements, then nationwide in 2021, the Pass Culture has quickly won over teenagers. And with good reason: this scheme run by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of National Education enables young people aged 15 to 18 to receive money, in order to access cultural events or products. Concerts, exhibitions, books and comics, cinemas, video games, monuments or even creative instruments and equipment: the aim is to introduce these young people to the world of culture, and enable them to experiment according to their tastes and desires.

In just a few years, this Pass has found its audience: according to a December 2024 report by the Cour des Comptes, 4.2 million young people have registered on the Pass Culture app since 2019, and " 84% of 18-year-olds using the Culture Pass, at the end of August 2024."

However, this initiative has a cost, which is currently difficult to assume, explains the Cour des Comptes. " Against a backdrop of deteriorating public finances, several avenues forsavings could be explored, including reducing the amount of credit allocated to 18-year-olds (currently €300 per beneficiary), or targeting beneficiaries according to social or territorial criteria," reads the report.

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The government has therefore decided to cut spending, starting on March 1, 2025. As of today, young people registered on this platform will receive 50 euros when they turn 17, then 150 euros when they turn 18. An additional 50 euros may be offered to young people with disabilities, or meeting certain social criteria. Previously, 15-year-olds received 20 euros, then 30 euros at 16 and 17, and a 300-euro envelope at 18.

Are the youngest members of society excluded from this new formula? The decree published in the Journal Officiel states that 15 and 16 year-olds can " register in advance on the Culture Pass platform to create their account and benefit from the offers available free of charge on the platform ".

No money for these teenagers, then, but free offers and events from Pass cultural partners. They will then have to wait one or two years to receive the 50 euros promised when they turn 17.