From the 3rd child, parents can apply for the Large Families card. It is allocated by the SNCF and offers reductions on train journeys made by each member of the family. The card also gives access to advantageous pricing conditions with partner brands.

The Large Families card is a reduction card set up by the State for families with 3 or more children. SNCF is the main affiliate, and offers up to 75% on the price of train tickets. As soon as the family meets the conditions to benefit from it, the card is issued to both parents and to each child under the age of 2.

Discounts on SNCF train tickets

The holder of a Large Families card benefits from a reduction, the rate of which varies according to the number of children:

The other partner brands

The partner commercial brands display the Large Families logo. Among the partners who offer price reductions to members of a large family in order to reduce their expenses:

• Suppliers of goods and equipment necessary in daily life: supermarkets, toy stores, opticians, etc.
• Service providers related to leisure, sport and culture: theme parks, restaurants, hotels, sports halls, museums, etc.
• RATP: the Large Families card entitles you to a 50% reduction on the entire RATP network – bus, metro, RER – in Île-de-France.

Each private partner sets its own reduction conditions. The National Union of Family Associations (UNAF) lists and explains the advantages of the Large Families card.

No means test is required to benefit from the large family rate with SNCF and private partners.

The card is issued on request to families with a minimum of 3 children under the age of 18. The father, mother and children under 18 are holders of the Large Families card.

When the family of 3 or more children has less than 3 minor children, it retains the benefit of the Large Families card under certain conditions:

• Only the father, mother and children under 18 can be holders of the reduction card.
• The reduction rate applicable to SNCF train tickets is equal to 30%.
• Cardholders no longer benefit from the 50% reduction applicable on the RATP network in Île-de-France.

Special cases

1. In the context of a blended family, the children of each member of the couple are taken into account, provided that they have custody of them, as well as the children born of this new union.
2. Parents who have raised 5 children simultaneously benefit from a 30% reduction on their SNCF journeys and 50% on their RATP journeys, for 6 years from the issuance of the card. Please note that they must apply before their youngest child has reached the age of majority.

The Large Families card is valid for 3 years from its issue, or until the 18th birthday of the youngest child.

The request is made on the SNCF website (1). The applicant fills out the online form, then sends it along with the supporting documents:

• ID photo.
• Copy of the family record book.
• Proof of nationality, proof of residence or residence permit, if applicable.

The Large Families card costs € 19, which corresponds to the administration fees. Payment is made by check or money order.

It takes about 3 weeks to obtain the card from the sending of the request.

The Large Families card is renewable as long as the family has at least 3 minor children. The renewal request cannot be sent more than 3 months before the card’s expiry date.