Student ID card (Schülerausweis) – discounts and concessions

What is a Schülerausweis (student ID card)?

A Schülerausweis is an official document issued by the school either free of charge or for a small fee.
It confirms that you are enrolled as a student at a public or private school.

It usually contains:

Full name
Date of birth
Name of the school
Signature and stamp of the school
Period of validity (usually one school year)

Discounts offered by the student ID card

1. Public transport

Discounts on train tickets (e.g. Deutsche Bahn – DB) and on bus tickets

2. Museums and exhibitions

Reduced or free admission to many museums and exhibitions
(for example: Deutsches Museum, Jewish Museum and others)

3. Cinema

Lower ticket prices on weekdays
Special student or youth offers

4. Concerts and music venues

Discounts in concert halls such as the Elbphilharmonie or Konzerthaus
Reduced-price tickets for selected cultural events

5. Sports clubs and swimming pools

Reduced monthly membership fees in sports clubs
Cheaper entry to swimming pools

6. Public libraries

Free or very low-cost library membership for students

7. Clothing stores and shops

Discounts in some fashion and retail stores, such as H&M, Snipes or selected Saturn branches

8. Software and digital education

Student discounts on software like Microsoft 365 or Adobe Creative Cloud (Adobe CC)

9. Youth hostels (Jugendherbergen)

Reduced accommodation prices in youth hostels within the DJH membership system

Conditions for using the student ID card

The card must be valid (signed and stamped by the school).
In some cases, you may also be asked to show an additional photo ID (for example, health insurance card or passport).
Certain discounts are only available if the student
- is under 18 years of age, or
- attends school full time.

Is the Schülerausweis useful outside Germany?

Yes, especially within the European Union:

You can often use it to get discounts in museums and tourist attractions in major European cities such as Paris, Rome or Vienna.
However, it does not replace the international ISIC student card, which offers a wider range of discounts worldwide.

How do you get a Schülerausweis?

Apply for it at your school administration office (Sekretariat).
You may have to provide a recent passport-sized photo.
It is usually issued free of charge or for a small fee of about 1–3 euros.
It is renewed every year at the beginning of the new school year.

Disclaimer

The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or some details may not be fully verified.
Therefore, please regard the information in these articles as an initial reference only and always contact the relevant authorities, schools or advisory services to obtain confirmed and up-to-date information.