Institute of Geography and Regional Development

September 21, 2021 by Amit Chandra

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Studying in Poland has its own benefits, most of which are crucial and pocket-friendly to students. The green-coloured student ID card provided by Polish Universities holds the key to a range of extraordinary discounts and offers. Most of which aren't available to ordinary tourists or expats living in Poland.

The power of a student card in Poland can be experienced and enjoyed in everyday life. It entitles students to avail discounts on everything from necessities like food, grocery, pharmacy and insurance to some luxuries like plane tickets, hotels, and restaurants. All you need to do is, keep your ID card handy while making purchases, and do not hesitate to check for the student discount whenever and wherever you can. Most importantly, don’t forget to get the sticker from the university on the back of your card when it’s due. Without a sticker, a student’s ID card is considered invalid.

Since Poland is a part of the EU, students in Polish Universities can apply for other popular student cards like ISIC, European Youth Card, and ESNcard valid in the EU and around the world. These students’ cards come in handy for Erasmus students who choose to study in a Polish university for a semester under the Erasmus exchange program or get accepted for an Erasmus internship.

So, let's find out all the possible ways in which you can make the most of a student ID card in Wroclaw/Poland.

1. No tax for under 26 part-time working students

Every student in Poland is authorised to work on a part-time basis while continuing their studies. The employment taxes are significant for workers who are over 26 years of age. But if you are a student in Poland under 26, you don’t need to pay income tax to the government. To validate the student status with an employer and the tax office, a student must provide an ID card and the PESEL number.  Students can have a PESEL number after registering themselves in Poland.

2. Health insurance discounts

Having reliable health insurance is crucial for every foreigner and student in Poland. And this is another major area where a student ID can save you a few hundred zlotys.

3. Attractive bank offers for students

Opening a new bank account in Poland is quite simple. If you are a student at a Polish University, you can avail yourself of promotional discounts and referral rewards in addition to a new bank account offered by the bank from time to time. Banks like Millenium, Santander, and ING allow you to open a bank account after verifying the student status.

This reward could be a voucher worth a few hundred zlotys or even some goodies. The best thing however is that a student isn't obliged to have a minimum card transaction or any other unwanted obligation from the bank.

4. Heavy discount on public transport

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Public transport in Poland is generally cheap, and if you chose Poland for higher studies in Europe, the possibility of availing some enormous offers increases manifold. Starting from discounted Urbancard plans to daily and weekly passes like - 24, 48-hours ticket, weekend, and weekly pass to a single-ride ticket, a student ID card can get you a discount on every ticket or pass in a public transport in Poland.

5. 51% discount on intercity trains

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Trains in Europe are generally one of the most recommended means of transport for long journeys. Especially when someone wants to explore the terrific European landscapes and admire views. Intercity train travel in Poland is exactly like one of those picturesque journeys. If you’re a student in Poland under 26 years, train rides become the cheapest mode of transport for long-distance travel. With a staggering 51% discount on train tickets, every student can travel on any intercity train for less than half the ticket price.

You can ask the ticket counter person to give you a student discount while buying the ticket. But make sure that you are carrying a valid ID card during the journey, else you will end up paying the full price because of the lack of sufficient documents.

Protip: Check for other offers like group tickets or weekend tickets valid for unlimited travel in the respective region or entire Poland from Friday evening until Monday early morning. If National Holidays are succeeding or preceding a weekend, the weekend ticket automatically covers the holiday/s as well.

6. ISIC, European Youth Card, and ESNcard

Erasmus and exchange studies are a crucial part of studying in Europe and needs a special mention. Therefore, when you go to another EU country or come to Poland from another EU nation for a semester of studies under the Erasmus exchange program, having an ISIC, European Youth Card, or ESNcard can be crucial.

While you will still have the university card from your respective university, you can avail of great deals while booking flights, accommodations, shopping at chosen stores, or even restaurants. These cards can be ordered online by enrolling with a university student ID card and are available at a remarkably low price. They keep updating the list of offers on their website from where you can browse.

Here are the weblinks to enrol and order the card:

Link to get the ISIC Card

Link to get the European Youth Card

Link to get the ESNcard

7. Flight discount inside EU with local carriers

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Local carriers in the EU like Ryanair & Wizair keep coming up with attractive offers for students in the Erasmus network or full-time students in Poland. Those who go for the Erasmus internship/ studies and need to fly to another EU country for months can benefit from this offer.

8. Discount in fitness & sports clubs

Fitness and sports club are other areas you can enjoy extraordinary students’ discounts by producing a legitimate student ID card while signing up.

Protip: Keep an eye on the Black Friday/New Year’s Eve/Women’s Day discounts

9. Theaters, museums, galleries, pubs, restaurants, bars, Apteka

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As a student in Poland, you can avail yourself of tickets to museums, cinemas, and theatres for a discounted price, and sometimes even free. Moreover, there are restaurants, clubs, cafes, bars, that sell selected menus or buffets or give a discount on the overall bill after you present them with a valid student ID. Adding to the list, if you are good with research, you might end up finding some stores in malls, bookstores, hairdressers, Apteka (Rynek Wrocław) giving away special students discount.

10. Apple Music & Spotify subscription discount

Apple Music & Spotify offer a special student discount. You only have to enter your student ID credentials while requesting a subscription.

Save the details, and don’t hesitate to ask for a student discount wherever applicable, it’s your right while studying in Poland.

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