The Ministry of Culture announced that the 2026 Cultural Coins will be officially credited to accounts at 8:00 AM on January 1st. All young people aged 13 to 22 who were born between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2013 and hold a Taiwanese ID card, National Health Insurance card, or legal residency permit will automatically receive 1,200 points, equivalent to NT$1,200, and must use them before December 31, 2026.
Compared to the previous year, the biggest adjustment in 2026 is the lowering of the age threshold, including 13-year-olds in the subsidy program , with an estimated 2.4 million beneficiaries. Points are issued in a lump sum and do not accumulate to the following year, nor can they be withdrawn as cash. Unused balances will be automatically reclaimed by the system after the expiration period.
How to claim cultural coins
The official KYC process consists of three steps, primarily using a smartphone:
- The first step is to download the Culture Coin App ( iOS download here / Android download here ), and enter your mobile phone number to create an account.
- The second step is to click "Claim" and then enter your ID card number, health insurance card number, or residence permit number. The system will immediately compare the information with the roster, and if the verification is successful, you will be credited with 1,200 points.
- Third, those who already have an account from last year do not need to register again. They can simply log in again after the App update and complete the verification once to receive the new year's quota.
If people do not have a smartphone, they can contact customer service to apply via email or phone. Once approved, they will receive a paper QR code for on-site scanning.
How do I use points? How can I add to my bet?
Cultural coins can be used in various arts and cultural venues, and this year several new rewards have been added:
- Enjoy a "2 points for every 1 point" reward when you make a purchase at an independent bookstore, which can be redeemed for up to NT$1,800 worth of books.
- Performing arts and domestic film tickets offer exclusive discounts for young people; two people watching domestic films together will receive an additional 100 points for a single purchase of 350 points or more.
- In 2026, a ranking system will be introduced for the first time, from trainee to legendary level. Collect digital badges of well-known Taiwanese IPs to increase app return visits and unlock extra small rewards.
- When the balance of Cultural Coins is insufficient, the difference can be made up directly through the built-in payment, full profit + PAY or icash Pay in the App without having to jump to other interfaces.
How can cultural coins be used? Where can they be used?
Cultural coins can be used for various physical arts and cultural consumption and experiences, covering arts and cultural performances, cultural experience activities, books, audiovisual entertainment, as well as cultural and creative products and crafts.
Whether visiting museums and art galleries to see exhibitions, enjoy performances, watch domestic films, or participate in hands-on workshops, you can use cultural coins. In addition, you can also buy books at physical bookstores or purchase cultural and creative products with cultural characteristics.
Many students are most concerned about which stores accept Cultural Coins. By searching through the " Arts & Culture Consumption Points " website, you can quickly find arts and culture venues in various places that accept Cultural Coins by selecting the type of arts and culture activity and administrative region on the website.
What are the new highlights of the Cultural Coin 2026?
In addition to the existing benefits of watching performances, watching domestic films, buying books, visiting museums, going to markets, participating in arts and cultural experiences or mini-tours, the Ministry of Culture also pointed out that the Cultural Coin App in 2026 will incorporate gamified consumption design to create a more immersive arts and cultural adventure experience.
Students can start as "Trainees" and progress through the ranks to the highest level, "Legendary." By completing tasks and exploring levels, they can earn bonus points, collect exclusive badges of various popular characters, and even participate in limited-edition merchandise raffles. For readers who love these characters, this cultural coin system is definitely something to look forward to.
Compliance Considerations
The Ministry of Culture emphasized in its guidelines:
The purpose of cultural coins is to promote cultural participation. Cultural coins are non-transferable to third parties and are prohibited from any form of off-exchange trading (such as cashing out or reselling at a discount).
Therefore, students may not use the cultural coins for food or daily necessities, nor can they be used to offset ticket refund fees. The system will detect abnormal transactions, and those who violate the rules will have their remaining cultural coins frozen and the balance confiscated.
Starting tomorrow at 8 a.m., eligible young people only need to complete identity verification to see 1,200 points credited to their mobile phones. In the face of inflation, making good use of subsidies and additional incentive mechanisms, and seizing the consumption window before the end of the year, can add a little bit of joy to one's personal arts and culture budget.
