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European Student Card Initiative

Part of the Erasmus+ programme

Survey on the European Student Card

Calling all higher education students and HEI staff. Help us make the European Student Card even better!

Answer our short survey before 6 December.

How the European Student Card works

The European Student Card runs through a digital platform called the ESC Router which  

  • allows participating institutions to integrate the ESC features into their students' cards (physical or digital)
  • enables real-time  validation of student status across the European Education Area

Features

European Student Cards have the following features.

  • European Student Card Number (ESCN): a unique card identifier that serves to identify and validate European Student Cards
  • European Student Identifier: an identification number that enables students on mobility to uniquely identify themselves as a student when they access student services online
  • ESC Logo: comprised of a QR code, the text "European Student Card", and the EU flag. Together, these elements certify the card's authenticity and validity at the European level. They can be shown in a horizontal or vertical format.

The graphic charter of the ESC logo

The graphic charter defines the rules and standards of use for the new European Student Card logo. The new ESC logo is easier to implement and recognise.

Download

Previous ESC logo (valid until 31 December 2027)

The previous logo comprised a hologram and a QR code. European Student Cards with this logo will be valid until 31 December 2027. As of 1 January 2028, only cards with the new ESC logo shown above will be valid. Higher education institutions are encouraged to not wait until the end of the transition period to implement the new ESC logo on their students' cards.

ESC Hologram: a logo on the front of the card that visually certifies the card’s authenticity at the European level.

ESC QR Code: a digital format code on the front or back of the card, which also certifies the card’s validity at the European level.

Minimal data is required from higher education institutions to implement the European Student Card. Only the necessary data is stored in the ESC Router. For more information, please consult the ESC Router Data Protection Record and Privacy Statement.