Starting next spring, thousands of 18-year-olds will have the exciting opportunity to explore Europe for free, thanks to the European Commission’s DiscoverEU initiative.
A total of 35,500 travel passes are available for this initiative, with the current round of applications being open until October 16.
To qualify, individuals born between January 1 and December 31 2006, must complete a quiz consisting of five questions about the EU, along with an additional question about the EU Youth Portal, Schengen.News reports.
This call is open to young people from the EU as well as those from countries associated with the Erasmus+ programme, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Türkiye.
Successful applicants can travel across Europe for up to 30 days between March 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. This initiative not only promotes cultural exchange and discovery but also aims to strengthen the sense of European identity among young people.
DiscoverEU is an incredible opportunity for young people to broaden their horizons, experience Europe’s rich diversity and build connections across borders. By offering these free travel passes, we are fostering a deeper understanding of European cultures, values and history.
In addition to the free travel pass, participants will receive a discount card offering access to over 40,000 deals on public transportation, cultural events, accommodations, dining, sports, and various other services. Furthermore, Erasmus+ National Agencies will host pre-departure information sessions and DiscoverEU Meet-ups, which are learning programmes lasting between one to three days.
Free Travel Passes Awarded to 35,551 Young Europeans This Summer
The DiscoverEU initiative was launched in June 2018 as a result of a preparatory action by the European Parliament and has since become part of the Erasmus+ programme for 2021-2027.
Since its launch, over 1.3 million individuals have applied for a total of 319,000 travel passes. Notably, 93 per cent of participants reported that their experience with DiscoverEU inspired them to travel by train more frequently in the future.
Moreover, this summer, a total of 35,551 European youngsters received travel passes to explore the continent for free. In the latest round of applications held in April this year, over 180,000 young people expressed their interest in the opportunity.
Those selected for the travel pass already had the flexibility to travel solo or in groups of up to five people between July 1, 2024, and September 2025.