Moving to Spain with NALCAP, BEDA, or any other auxiliar program comes with more than just teaching experience and tapas-induced happiness. Your student visa (or program status) quietly unlocks a whole world of discounts, perks, and “wait, I can get this for cheaper?” moments. The trick is knowing what to use, where to sign up, and what actually applies to you.
🇪🇸 Universal Perks (student visa status)
Canva Premium
If you have your carta de nombramiento, you can often use it as proof of student/education status to access Canva’s premium education features. Canva Pro includes:
- Premium templates
- Background remover
- Brand kits
- Design tools that save your entire life as a blogger or teacher
Spain Transport Discounts
Once you have your TIE or student (visa) status, you can access:
Regional Youth Transport Cards
Depending on your region, you may get:
- Monthly unlimited metro/bus passes
- Youth discounts up to 70%
- Reduced commuter train fares
Carné Joven (European Youth Card)
If you’re under 30, this is gold. It gives discounts on:
- Trains (Renfe)
- Buses (like ALSA)
- Museums and cultural sites
- Restaurants and shops across Europe
It’s one of the easiest wins for saving money while traveling.
Spotify Student Discount
Spotify offers a student plan at a reduced monthly rate, typically around half price compared to standard Premium. You’ll need proof of student status (sometimes ISIC or university/official program verification). Bonus: it often includes extra perks like Hulu/Showtime bundles, depending on the region.
ISIC Card (International Student Identity Card)
This is your “global student passport.” You can use it for:
- Discounts in 98+ countries
- Travel deals (hostels, buses, trains)
- Museums and attractions
- Online platforms and subscriptions
It’s especially useful if you’re traveling around Europe during the holidays.
Museums + Culture Discounts
Spain is extremely generous here. With a student proof or ISIC, you often get:
- Free or reduced entry to museums
- Discounts on exhibitions and cultural events
- Free entry hours at major museums in cities like Madrid and Barcelona
Basically, your weekends can be both cultured and cheap.
Travel Perks Across Europe
With your student status, you can unlock:
- Discounted Interrail/Eurail passes
- Cheap buses across countries
- Hostel discounts
- Seasonal travel programs like “Verano Joven” (youth travel discounts in Spain)
Your student/auxiliar status in Spain is basically a discount key to Europe, not just a visa.
If you use it properly, you can unlock cheaper travel across Spain + Europe, reduced or free digital tools (Canva, Spotify, etc.), and cultural access that locals don’t even take advantage of, and serious monthly savings without changing your lifestyle.
***Important thing to note: Something to keep in mind is that some places will require either a digital copy or a physical copy of your carta de nombramiento when you’re applying for student discounts, especially at museums.
For example, I once tried showing my TIE card, which had my school listed on the back, but that wasn’t enough on its own, and they still asked for additional proof. Another option that can sometimes work is showing the student visa inside your passport, but realistically, most people aren’t carrying their passport around day to day, so it’s not always practical.
Because requirements vary depending on the place, it’s a good idea to check ahead of time what specific documentation they accept for student discounts before you go. Some museums or attractions are strict, while others are more flexible, so a quick search beforehand can save you time and frustration at the ticket counter.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
