Pass Culture: what changes in 2026?

The Culture Pass scheme, launched in 2021 and intended to promote young people's access to culture, is undergoing changes with an order published in Official Journal of 30 December 2025. They relate in particular to products accessible to beneficiaries with the individual share of the pass (the collective share being that allocated directly to the institutions).

As a reminder, since the 1^er in march 2025, 17-year-olds benefit from an annual €50 (previously €100), and the envelope for 18-year-olds has been increased to €150 (against €300). The share for 15-16 year olds has been abolished.

A bonus of €50 is granted after 18 years for young people with disabilities, or under social criteria.

Changes to offers eligible for the Culture Pass

• The permitted share for ‘online offers’ has been lowered. The cumulative amount that can be used now amounts to €50, instead of €100 previously. This concerns: purchases of music, audiovisual works, video games, audiobooks, dematerialized press, conferences (this ceiling does not apply if the beneficiary has disabilities recognized by medical certificate, nor to beneficiaries residing in Mayotte, Wallis and Futuna and Saint Pierre and Miquelon).
• Two areas of activity are added to the list of areas eligible for the Culture Pass: design/crafts and scientific, technical and industrial culture.
• Escape games (escape game) and leisure activities can no longer be funded by the Culture Pass if they are not offered by a cultural actor in the authorized fields.
• Reduction cards and support schemes offered by local and regional authorities remain eligible for funding when they fall within the eligible areas. No offer may be made by actors whose main activity is the responsibility of a political or religious organization.

An overhaul of the application

Following an experiment carried out in the Grand Est region, the Minister of Culture announced the opening on January 15, 2026 of the Culture Pass application (without funding) to the entire national territory. The objective is to provide a reference geolocation tool for all, and to allow access to the cultural offer of proximity within the regions.

Application is free and can be settled on smartphone (Ios and Android) or computer. The creating an account is recommended to have access to all features and cultural news.

The order of the end of December also introduces the following provisions:

• The creation of the Culture Pass account is simplified for young people who are in school. They can now do this with authentication via Educonnect with an access code provided by the school.
• Any personal account whose use would be in contradiction with the general conditions of use may be deleted.
• A wider range of stakeholders can now offer cultural offerings on the platform. Local authorities and local public institutions active in the field of culture are now empowered.