Starting your studies at Charles University? Here’s a quick guide on how to get your first ISIC card and how to make the most of it.
Unlock a world of discounts with ISIC
The ISIC (International Student Identity Card) is the only internationally recognized proof of student status. For over 70 years, the ISIC Association has been issuing this card to make life easier for students worldwide. And now, you can get one at Charles University. Why should you?
Why get a Student Card with an ISIC License?
Your Charles University student card proves your affiliation with the university and allows you to use its student services (canteen, library, etc.). With an ISIC license, you’ll get even more benefits:
- International recognition: Your student status is recognized in almost 100 countries worldwide.
- Discounts: Enjoy discounts and benefits in nearly 100 countries and over 2 400 locations in the Czech Republic (food, electronics, fashion, gifts, education, festivals, theater, cultural and historical sites, accommodation, flights and tours, sports activities, ski passes, etc.).
- Student travel: Use your ISIC as proof of study for transportation – both public and rail in the Czech Republic.
- Mobile app: The Alive App lets you carry your digital ISIC, easily find discounts on a map, and access news, contests, and limited offers. Download it for free from the App Store and Google Play.
- Insurance for international students: Protect yourself with Comprehensive health insurance from UNIQA – special price ready for all students!
Who is eligible for an ISIC?
You can become an ISIC holder if you are a full-time student or enrolled in a one-year intensive foreign language course. There is no upper or lower age limit. For detailed information on ISIC eligibility, see the ISIC Rules (4.1.3).
For part-time students who are not eligible for ISIC, there’s the Alive card, offering similar discounts and benefits within the Czech Republic.
Where to get your ISIC at Charles University?
You can obtain a student card with an ISIC license at Charles University after enrolling. Visit one of these Card service centres:
Prague
- UK Point (Celetná 13)
- Charles University Faculty of Mathematics and Physics (Ke Karlovu 3)
- Faculty of Law (náměstí Curieových 7)
Hradec Králové
- Dormitory Na Kotli (Na Kotli 1147)
Plzeň
- Faculty of Medicine (alej Svobody 76)
For opening hours, contact information, or appointment booking, visit the Charles University Card service centres websites.
Digital ISIC in the Alive App
For easier verification and discount searching, you can display your ISIC in the Alive App. However, keep your physical card for university-specific uses (canteen, library, etc.).
Benefits of a digital ISIC
With the Alive App, you have all the benefits of ISIC right on your phone. It’s accepted by discount providers and for transportation, including the state-subsidized student discount. The Alive App offers:
- Discount overview: Easily search for discounts by category or on a map, and save your favorites.
- Exclusive offers: Access contests and limited offers available only to ISIC holders.
- Insurance overview: Keep track of your active insurance policies and their validity.
- Expiration reminders: The app will notify you in advance of your card’s expiration.
- Card number always at hand: Easily view your card number for quick presentation.
To use the app, you need:
- A valid student card with an ISIC license
- Download he Alive App (free on App Store and Google Play)
- An activated profile in the app
You’ll receive instructions on activating the app via email after receiving your ISIC.
Why keep the physical Student Card?
While the digital ISIC offers many benefits, it cannot be used within the university as it is not compatible with the university’s chip system. For these purposes, use your physical ISIC card.
Validity of the digital ISIC
The ISIC is valid for 16 months, from the beginning of September one year to the end of December the following year. You’ll find the validity period on the first page of the digital card, e.g., 09/2024-12/2025. You can extend the validity of your ISIC each year during your studies. You can find more information directly at university.
Most popular ISIC card discounts
Enjoy discounts at online stores and across the Czech Republic with your ISIC card. Our discount network is always growing, so stay tuned on https://www.isic.cz/en/discounts or in the Alive App for the latest deals.
Online stores and discounts throughout Czech Republic
- Food and refreshments: Tesco, KFC, McDonalds, Bageterie Boulevard, UGO, Burger King, Tchibo, Fruitisimo, Pizza Hut, Bombay Express
- Travel: Booking.com, Kiwi.com, Emirates, Nextbike, CK Blue Style
- Electronics: Alza.cz, Datart, CZC.cz, Samsung.cz, iSpace, iSetos, Gorenje
- Literature and subscriptions: Knihy Dobrovský, Luxor, Forbes, Hospodářské noviny, Nakladatelství SVOJTKA & CO
- Fashion: C&A, Zoot.cz, Takko Fashion, Astratex, Vuch.cz, Trenýrkárna.cz, Koutný Prostějov, Anthony´s
- Sports and healthy lifestyle: GymBeam, Aktin, MyProtein, Form Factory, Bike-eshop.cz, Sportisimo, Snowboard Zezula, Meatfly, Fitify, ski passes at Czech ski resorts
- Education and personal development: English Me, Kurzy Mindfulness, Waymysl, EDU Effective, Skillmea, Prismatic
- Health and beauty: Dr. Max, FAnn parfumerie, Fokus Optik, Doktor Klain
- Culture: Národní divadlo, Národní muzeum, Národní technické muzeum, Pravčická brána, admission to Czech festivals such as Colours of Ostrava, Rock for People and more
- Entertainment and relaxation: Albi.cz, Frutiko.cz, CEWE Fotolab, ZOO Dvůr Králové, Museum of Bricks, Paintballgame.cz, caves managed by SJ ČR
- Mobile tariff for students: Vodafone #jetovtobě
And many more. The complete and up-to-date range of discounts is available at www.isic.cz/slevy/ or in the Alive App.
Popular local discounts
- Prague: Prague City Theatres, Dejvické divadlo, Prague City Gallery, Vodafone PLAYzone Arena, LazerFun Praha, Bowling Smíchov, EXIT ROOM PRAGUE, PAUL bakeries, Las Adelitas restaurant and taqueria, Pizza Einstein, Divadlo Radka Brzobohatého
- Brno: Divadlo Bolka Polívky, Brno National Theatre, Filharmonie Brno, Lingea, Waterdrop, Restaurace U Mamlasů, Optik Krouman
- Ostrava: Hello language center, Komorní scéna Aréna, National Moravian-Silesian Theatre, FIALKA wellness and regeneration salon for women, COPY Ostrava, SBA Squash
- Olomouc: Atlant Taxi, AMADEUS language agency, Lamborghini kart arena, Koreny driving school
- Hradec Králové: Klicperovo divadlo Hradec Králové, I-Copy, Dudek driving school, Obří akvárium, Fitland
- Pardubice: Pardubice Theatre of East Bohemia, Evropské vzdělávací centrum, Péče o duševní zdraví
- České Budějovice: Jihočeské divadlo, Areál HoSPORT, K2 music club
- Plzeň: Divadlo J.K. Tyla v Plzni, Plzeň City Gallery, Horsefeathers
- Liberec: Oblastní galerie Liberec, Bedřichov –JIZERKY ski resort, Ještěd ski resort
What should you do if you have not been given a discount?
Don’t despair if a retailer has refused to give you a discount based on your ISIC card. Follow these steps:
- Check your ISIC card validity: Make sure that you had a valid ISIC licence on the day of purchase.
- Check your eligibility for the discount: Check the list of discounts available at www.isic.cz or in your Alive App and make sure you are eligible for the discount.
- Inform GTS Alive: If you have undertaken the above steps and the discount was still not given to you, inform GTS Alive, s.r.o., the official ISIC card issuer in Czechia. You can also do this using the website www.isic.cz/kontakty/.
- GTS Alive will help: GTS Alive staff will investigate your complaint and to their utmost to resolve the situation.
