EasyTicket In 2026, the Culture Card provides 150,000 won per person per year (plus an extra 10,000 won for teens and the near-elderly), and the application period runs from February 2 to November 30, 2026. Funding can run out and close applications early, so don’t wait.
Ever wanted to enjoy more culture but hesitated because of the cost? EasyTicket has put together the latest 2026 information on the Integrated Cultural Voucher (Culture Card) in one place. It’s a voucher you can use broadly — for movies, performances, exhibitions, books, domestic travel, and sports activities — so if you qualify, it’s well worth claiming.
📌 What Is the Culture Card? A One-Line Summary
The Culture Card is a culture and leisure voucher run by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. It’s a program that loads a set amount onto a card every year so that even households facing financial hardship can enjoy cultural activities like performances, exhibitions, and travel.
- Program name: Integrated Cultural Voucher (Culture Card)
- Governing agency: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
- Operated by: Arts Council Korea
- 2026 support amount: 150,000 won per person per year (teens and near-elderly +10,000 won)
The program’s purpose is to narrow the culture gap and improve quality of life. This isn’t support you should feel bad about accepting — remember, it’s a right to enjoy.
✅ Who Qualifies for Support in 2026?
Eligibility is open to National Basic Livelihood Security recipients and near-poverty households aged 6 and older. To be precise, that means anyone born on or before December 31, 2020.
National Basic Livelihood Security Recipients
- Recipients of livelihood, medical, housing, or education benefits
- Conditional beneficiaries
- Residents of care facilities receiving benefits
Near-Poverty Households
- Near-poverty self-support workers
- Recipients of the disability allowance or the disabled children’s allowance
- Recipients of the supplementary disability pension benefit (excluding those above the near-poverty threshold)
- Those eligible for reduced personal medical costs
- Low-income single-parent families
- Holders of a Near-Poverty Status Certificate (formerly Priority Care Near-Poverty)
- Other household members besides the student receiving education benefits
If you’re not sure whether you qualify, ask at your nearest Eup/Myeon/Dong Community Service Center. They can check your eligibility on the spot.
💰 2026 Support Amounts and Where to Use Them
Support Amount
| Category | Support Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard (age 6+) | 150,000 won/year |
| Teens (ages 13–18) | 160,000 won/year (+10,000 won) |
| Near-elderly (ages 60–64) | 160,000 won/year (+10,000 won) |
One card is issued per person, and you can spend it freely throughout the year.
Where Can You Use It?
- Arts and culture: Movies, performances, exhibitions
- Books and music: Buying books at bookstores, purchasing albums
- Domestic travel: Admission to tourist sites, lodging, rail (KTX, SRT, etc.)
- Sports activities: Watching basketball, soccer, baseball, or volleyball, buying sports gear, using sports facilities
With a single card, you can watch a movie, take a domestic trip, and get some exercise. We recommend checking affiliated merchant information in advance on the Culture Card website.
🔍 Comparing 3 Ways to Apply
There are four main ways to apply: online, mobile app, in person, or by phone. Choose whichever is most convenient for your situation.
| Application Method | Available Services | ID Verification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website (www.mnuri.kr) | New issuance, recharge, reissue | Required | Age 14+ |
| Mobile app (Munhwanuri) | New issuance, recharge, reissue | Required | Age 14+ |
| In person (Community Service Center) | All services | Bring photo ID | Also available outside your registered area |
| Phone (1544-3412) | Recharge only | Mobile phone under your own name | Age 14+ |
If you live in a welfare facility or don’t have a certificate/ID verification method, you can only apply in person at a Community Service Center.
Online Application Steps
- Go to the Culture Card website or mobile app
- Verify your identity (choose from simple authentication, mobile phone, i-PIN, or a public certificate)
- Fill out and submit the application
- Receive your card (in person or by mail)
Documents to Bring for In-Person Applications
- Issuance application form (can be filled out on site)
- Applicant’s photo ID
- For proxy applications: proxy’s photo ID + power of attorney
- For legal guardians applying on behalf of ages 14–18: detailed basic certificate, family relations certificate
- For householder/household member applications: photo ID + resident registration copy
📅 Application Period and Deadline Notes
The application period runs from February 2, 2026, to November 30, 2026 (source: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism). But there’s one thing you should definitely keep in mind.
Issuance can close early once the budget runs out. Every year, the period when applicants rush in can close faster than expected, so if you’re eligible, we recommend applying in the first half of the year.
Also, your 2026 card balance must be used within that same year. Any remaining balance does not carry over, so it’s best to plan your spending.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. I received it last year — do I need to apply again this year?
Yes, you need to apply for a new recharge every year. You can recharge via the website, app, or phone.
Q2. I lost my card. What should I do?
You can apply for a reissue on the website or mobile app. In-person applications are also available.
Q3. Can a family member apply on my behalf?
Yes, proxy applications are allowed. For applicants age 19 and older, bring the applicant’s power of attorney and ID along with the proxy’s ID. For ages 14–18, a legal guardian can apply with a basic certificate and family relations certificate.
Q4. Where can I get more information?
Call the Arts Council Korea Culture Card Customer Center at 1544-3412 for assistance.
Q5. How do I check my card balance?
You can check your balance in real time by logging into the website (www.mnuri.kr) or through the mobile app.
🎯 Final Checklist
Double-check these before applying for your Culture Card.
- Whether you’re a National Basic Livelihood Security recipient or in a near-poverty household
- Whether you were born on or before December 31, 2020 (age 6+)
- Whether you’re applying within the application period (Feb 2–Nov 30, 2026)
- Which method — online, in person, or phone — best fits your situation
- Whether you have an ID verification method ready (public certificate, mobile phone, etc.)
Everyone has the right to enjoy culture. If you’re eligible, be sure to apply so you can enjoy one more movie, one more book, or one more trip within Korea. We hope this rundown from EasyTicket was helpful!