LSP vs ISIC: which student card should you get?
Get the LSP first — it's your official Lithuanian student ID, your library card, and the thing that unlocks the cheap transport pass. ISIC is an optional extra international discount card. For most students the LSP is all you need.
The short version
| LSP (Lietuvos studento pažymėjimas) | ISIC | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Official Lithuanian student ID | International student discount card |
| Issued by | Your university / national students' union | ISIC (commercial) |
| Proves student status in Lithuania | Yes | No |
| Library & campus access | Yes | No |
| Local transport discount | Yes (if you qualify) | Yes (if you qualify) |
| Works abroad | Optional free European Student Card | 130+ countries, 150,000+ discounts |
| Cost | ~€10–22 by study level (confirm on lsp.lt) | €13, or €14 with a city transport e-ticket (isic.lt) |
Why the LSP comes first
The LSP is described by its issuer as the only official document proving your student status in Lithuania (LSP). That matters because it does three practical jobs ISIC can't:
- It's your campus key. It gets you into the university library and other facilities, and identifies you in the academic system and in exams (VU SR).
- It's recognised by transport operators as proof you're a student, so it's the card you tap or show for the discounted monthly pass.
- It can carry the European Student Card for free, identifying you as a student across Erasmus+ countries — handy if you go on a further exchange (LSP).
How international and Erasmus students get one
Your university's students' representation issues the LSP, including to international and exchange students. You order online at lsp.lt, upload a photo and your details, your institution confirms them, and the card is produced within roughly 5–14 working days. Erasmus and exchange cards are issued for the length of your stay.
Sort it during orientation
What ISIC adds
ISIC is genuinely useful, just for different reasons. It's an internationally recognised card valid in 130+ countries with access to 150,000+ discounts worldwide (ISIC) — think flights, hostels, museums and online subscriptions when you travel. There's also a free ISIC app with a virtual card.
You can get an ISIC as an international or Erasmus student in Lithuania by showing a recent, signed confirmation that you're a full-time student with your study end date (ISIC). The Classic card is €13, or €14 with a Vilnius or Kaunas transport e-ticket built in.
The transport discount — the catch for everyone
This is where students get tripped up, so read carefully. Holding either card does not automatically grant the discount: you also have to be eligible for the student transport discount under Lithuanian rules.
Based on the ISIC operator's published list, the discount applies to Lithuanian citizens, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens, family members of EU/EEA citizens with a residence permit, and non-EU nationals who hold a Lithuanian temporary or permanent residence permit (ISIC). The same logic applies to the LSP. Where it applies, full-time students get around 80% off fixed-period (e.g. monthly) tickets and 50% off single trips and intercity/rail travel (ISIC).
Confirm your eligibility before you rely on it
So which one?
- Everyone studying in Lithuania: get the LSP. It's the official ID, the library card, and your route to the transport discount.
- You travel often or want global discounts: add an ISIC on top.
- Tight budget, staying put: the LSP alone is plenty — and remember to add the free European Student Card when you order it.
Frequently asked
Do I need both an LSP and an ISIC?+
No. The LSP is the one that proves your student status in Lithuania and unlocks the transport discount and library access, so most students just get that. ISIC is a nice-to-have if you travel a lot or want the global discount network.
Can Erasmus and exchange students get an LSP?+
Yes. Your university's students' representation issues the LSP to international and exchange students too, with validity set to match your stay. You usually arrange it during orientation.
Will an ISIC get me the cheap monthly bus pass in Vilnius or Kaunas?+
Only if you qualify for the transport discount in the first place — broadly EU/EEA and Swiss students, or non-EU students who hold a Lithuanian residence permit. The LSP works the same way. Check the rule that applies to you before relying on it.
Which card works in the library?+
The LSP. It doubles as your library and campus access card. ISIC does not open library doors.
Can my LSP be used abroad like an ISIC?+
Partly. When you order the LSP you can add the European Student Card for free, which identifies you as a student across Erasmus+ countries. It's not the same as ISIC's commercial discount network, but it costs nothing.