Student and youth discounts in Barcelona (2026)
Updated on
The best student discounts in Barcelona come from public institutions, and many cost nothing at all. About a dozen museums are free every Sunday from 3 pm, and more open their doors free on the first Sunday of the month. Students and under-25s or under-30s pay less at MNAC, MACBA, the CCCB and the Picasso Museum. The city's library card is free and cuts ticket prices too.
Free museums on Sundays
In April 2026 the city council published its list of museums with free Sunday entry. Some are free every Sunday afternoon. Others are free all day on the first Sunday of the month, and several do both.
| Museum | Free entry |
|---|---|
| MUHBA (Barcelona History Museum, all sites except Park Güell) | Sundays from 3 pm, all day on the first Sunday |
| Maritime Museum | Sundays from 3 pm |
| Museu Blau and Botanical Garden | Sundays from 3 pm, all day on the first Sunday |
| Design Museum | Sundays 3 to 8 pm, all day on the first Sunday |
| Montjuïc Castle | Sundays from 3 pm, all day on the first Sunday |
| CCCB | Sundays 3 to 8 pm |
| MNAC | Saturdays from 3 pm and the first Sunday |
| MACBA | Thursday to Saturday from 6 pm, and the first Sunday |
| Picasso Museum | First Sunday, plus Thursdays 4 to 7 pm from late September to late March |
The CCCB, MNAC and the Picasso Museum ask you to book these free slots online in advance. Free slots at the Picasso Museum are released four days before the visit from 10 am, according to its tickets page. For a first Sunday, book on the Wednesday morning.
Student and youth prices
Outside the free slots, the big public museums offer reduced tickets to students and to young people under a certain age. Carry your student card or ID with your date of birth. These are the prices as of the date this guide was updated:
| Museum | Who pays less | Discount or price |
|---|---|---|
| MNAC | Students / Carnet Jove / library card | 30% / 50% / 30% off the €12 general ticket |
| MACBA | Students aged 16 to 30 in the Spanish education system / Carnet Jove | €12 / €7.50 |
| CCCB | Under-25s, Carnet Jove or a Catalan library card | €6 online instead of €8 |
| Picasso Museum | Ages 18 to 25, accredited university students or library card | €7 instead of €12 online |
| MUHBA | Under-29s or library card | Reduced rate |
Note the MACBA condition: its student rate is for people studying in the Spanish education system. If you're on Erasmus, ask at the desk whether your enrolment qualifies. Art History students get into MNAC free. A MACBA ticket lets you come back as often as you like for a month.
The library card
A Barcelona library card is free and works in every public library in Catalonia. Apply online and choose the library where you'll collect it. You can also get one at any library by showing a Spanish ID, a NIE or a passport, according to the network's rules. The BibliotequesXBM app can stand in for the physical card.
Besides loans and wifi it gives you permanent discounts at museums, theatres and cinemas (30% off at MNAC, for example). The library network publishes the full list and sends a fortnightly discounts newsletter.
Cultura Jove: theatre, dance and gigs for 18 to 30s
Cultura Jove is an alliance of theatres and concert venues across Catalonia, backed by the Catalan government's culture department. It offers reduced tickets all year round to 18 to 30 year olds for theatre, dance, music and circus. You register on culturajove.cat and buy tickets for the shows taking part. The Jovecat portal lists it alongside other youth discounts.
Bono Cultural Joven: only if you turn 18 in 2026
Spain's €400 culture voucher is for people born in 2008, according to the Ministry of Culture. You need Spanish nationality or legal residence in Spain. Applications close on 31 October 2026 on bonoculturajoven.gob.es and require a Spanish digital ID (Cl@ve or a digital certificate). Since you must have been born in 2008, few Erasmus students will be eligible.
Carnet Jove and the European Youth Card
The Catalan Carnet Jove is a paid card with discounts in Catalonia and in other countries of the European Youth Card (EYCA) network. Its model changes on 1 December 2026 and the new terms haven't been published yet, so check carnetjove.cat before applying.
Getting around
If you're under 30, the cheapest travel option is the T-jove. Prices and zones are in our T-jove guide. Just arrived on Erasmus? Start with the paperwork checklist.
FAQ
Which museums are free in Barcelona on Sundays?
MUHBA, the Maritime Museum, Museu Blau and Montjuïc Castle from 3 pm. The Design Museum and the CCCB from 3 to 8 pm (the CCCB needs booking).
Which Barcelona museums are free on the first Sunday of the month?
MNAC, MACBA and the Picasso Museum, among others. The Picasso Museum and MNAC require advance booking.
Are Barcelona museums free for students?
Not usually, but students pay less. MNAC gives 30% off and MACBA charges €12 to students aged 16 to 30. Art History students get into MNAC free.
Can Erasmus students get a Barcelona library card?
Yes. It's free. You can apply online or at any library with your passport, Spanish ID or NIE.
Who can apply for Cultura Jove?
It's for 18 to 30 year olds. You register on culturajove.cat, where the full conditions are listed.