Starting from January 31, 2025, it is possible to apply to obtain the Culture Charter and the Merit Card, two bonuses of 500 euros each, made available by the Ministry of Culture. The Culture Charter is intended for young people with ISEE up to 35,000 euros, while the Merit Charter is reserved for those who have obtained their diploma with honors
.
In this guide, we will explain in detail the process for applying for the cards, the necessary requirements and how to use them to purchase cultural goods and services.
What are the Culture Charter and the Charter of Merit
The Youth Culture Charter and the Merit Charter are two tools that allow young people to obtain an economic contribution to purchase cultural assets such as books, tickets for shows, museums and training courses. These vouchers, worth 500 euros each, are cumulative, for a total of 1,000 euros if the beneficiary meets the requirements for both
cards.
The two cards have replaced the previous Culture Bonus and are governed by Decree 29 December 2023, n. 225, published in the Official Gazette on 16 January 2024.
Who can apply for the Culture Charter and the Charter of Merit
The two cards can be requested from:
- Youth Culture Charter: young people residing in Italy, who are part of families with ISEE up to 35,000 euros. Regular residence is necessary and, for foreign citizens, the possession of a valid residence permit.
- Merit Card: young people resident in Italy who have obtained their diploma with a score of at least 100/100 and no older than 19 years of age.
Both cards are cumulative, meaning that, if you are entitled to both, you can get a total of 1,000 euros.
How to apply for the Culture Charter and the Charter of Merit
The application for the Culture Charter and the Charter of Merit can be submitted online on the official platform of the Ministry of Culture, cartegiovani.cultura.gov.it, starting from 31 January 2025 and until 30 June 2025.
To access the platform and request vouchers, you must register using one of the following credentials:
- SPID (Public Digital Identity System)
- CIE (Electronic Identity Card)
Registration process and verification requirements
Once the portal is accessed, the platform will automatically verify the applicant’s eligibility, both in terms of age and economic and school requirements.
- Age verification: if the beneficiary does not meet the personal requirements, the system will show an error message.
- ISEE verification: for the Culture Charter, the system will check that the ISEE of the family unit is less than 35,000 euros.
- Verification of the diploma grade: for the Charter of Merit, the system will confirm that the diploma grade is 100/100 or higher.
In the event of an error, the system will notify the non-compliance. If, on the other hand, the requirements are met, the applicant can proceed with the registration by entering an email address to receive confirmation of the
registration.
How to use the Culture Charter and the Charter of Merit
Once the registration is complete, the beneficiary will be able to manage the vouchers from their virtual wallet, available in the reserved area of the portal. From here it is possible to:
- View the remaining balance and generate new vouchers.
- Create vouchers by choosing the desired amount and the category of goods to buy.
- Print or save the vouchers in digital format for use at physical or online stores that are participating in the initiative.
- Check the merchants accredited to spend the vouchers, searching for them by name, address or province.
What can you buy with the Culture Charter and the Merit Card
The Cards can be used to purchase:
- Books and publications, including digital ones.
- Tickets for theatrical, movie and musical shows.
- Newspaper and magazine subscriptions.
- Access tickets to museums, exhibitions and cultural events.
- Training courses, including music, theater, dance and foreign languages courses.
You cannot use the Cards to purchase video games, unrecognized online courses, or subscriptions to streaming platforms.
When do the Cultural Charter and the Charter of Merit vouchers expire
The vouchers generated with the Culture Charter and the Charter of Merit must be used by 31 December 2025. After this date, it will no longer be possible to generate or use vouchers, and any remaining amounts will be lost
.
Assistance and support
For any problem or need for assistance in registering or using vouchers, you can contact the support of the Ministry of Culture:
- Telephone: 06.6723.2177 or Toll-Free Number 800.991.199 (Monday to Friday, from 09.15 to 16.30).
- E-mail: [email protected].
