The ISIC card entitles only those studying abroad to use the statutory student discount (51%) when travelling by rail in Poland. However, they must additionally fulfil one of three conditions:
- have Polish citizenship, or
- be a citizen of the European Union and have the right of permanent residence in Poland, or
- be a family member of an EU citizen with the right of permanent residence in Poland.
If you meet one of these conditions, you must show the inspector your ISIC card confirming your studies at a foreign university, together with your identity card or another document allowing you to prove your identity and age (the student discount is valid until your 26th birthday). In the case of a foreign national with citizenship in another EU country, a document confirming the right of permanent residence in Poland (of oneself or a family member respectively) must also be presented.
ISIC currently has two forms: the traditional plastic card (the ISIC card) and the card displayed on a mobile device (virtual ISIC card, ISIC virtual ID). Both forms of the ISIC card will provide proof of entitlement to concessions on trains.
ISIC is not a substitute for the Polish student card
The ISIC card is not a substitute for a student card issued by Polish educational institutions. Moreover, the ISIC card cannot be used on the Polish trains by a student from another country who does not have the right of permanent residence in Poland or is not a family member of an EU citizen with the right of permanent residence in our country (e.g. a foreign tourist).
LEGAL BASIS:
Ordinance of the Minister of Infrastructure and Construction of 20 April 2017 on the types of documents certifying entitlement to concessionary travel by means of public collective transport (Journal of Laws of 2017, item 810).