The Young Scot National Entitlement Card (NEC) is a free electronic smart card for all young people living in Scotland aged 11-26. The card has been created by the Scottish Government, Young Scot, your local council and lots of other organisations working together so that it's easier for you to use their services across Scotland.

You can use your card to:

• Prove your age at shops, supermarkets, cinemas and clubs. The PASS hologram on the card is only official way of proving your age that is recognised across the UK, other than driving licences and passports. The Challenge 25 scheme will mean that all retailers and licenced premises will need to ask for ID for anyone they believe to be 25 or under. This makes your NEC card even more valuable to your wallet!
• Access over 1,400 discounts across Scotland, online and in store, for places like Lovefilm, O'Briens, Topshop and loads more.  You can also use your card to get access to over 100,000 discounts in 42 countries across Europe. Take a look at the discounts section for more information.
• Access services offered by your local council, such as leisure centres and libraries. Your local council will be able to tell you what services can be accessed using the card.

Cheaper travel for 16, 17 and 18 year olds

If you are 16, 17 or 18 then you will also be entitled to cheaper transport. This includes:

• One third off adult single fares on buses all over Scotland.
• A free Scottish Youth Railcard, giving you 50% off weekly or monthly tickets and up to one-third off single or return fares within Scotland.
• Two free return ferry journeys to the mainland if you live on an island.

The equipment on buses is currently being updated to read the smart cards, and it will take a little time to update all the buses. In the meantime if you are 16, 17 or 18 (or a full-time volunteer aged 19-25)  you may receive an additional card specially for the buses.

How do I get a Young Scot National Entitlement card?

Young Scot National Entitlement Cards are issued by your local council.

If you have never had a card before, you will need to apply to your local council. The first thing you will need to do is get your hands on an application form.  Just call the Young Scot InfoLine on 0808 801 0338 and we'll send one out to you!  You’ll then need to complete the form and take it to a local validation point. You'll find full details of your local points on the NEC application form.

You will need to take along some ID to prove your age and address (birth certificate, drivers licence/passport etc) and a colour photograph. If you don't have any photographic ID already, your photograph will need to be signed by someone who knows you, works in a professional job (teacher/lawyer/doctor etc) and is not a member of your family.

If you have any questions on the National Entitlement Card application process just phone the Young Scot InfoLine on 0808 801 0338 and we'll give you all the information you need!

I have lost my card, how do I get a new one?

If you had a card, but have lost it, you should contact your local Young Scot office.  If you don't know the contact details for your local office please phone the InfoLine on 0808 801 0338 (all calls are free) or email us on infoline@youngscot.org and we’ll tell you who to speak to in your area about getting a new one.