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35,500 young people to receive free train passes to discover Europe

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35,500 young people to receive free train passes to discover Europe

As in previous years, the European Commission will offer over 35,000 young people the opportunity to travel for free through the DiscoverEU program. The DiscoverEU interrail free travel passes encourage sustainable travel, primarily by train, allowing the youth to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey. To date, nearly 1.4 million young people have applied for the 319,000 passes available since 2018.

1. Application process

To qualify for the free pass, applicants must be born in 2006. Individuals from all EU countries as well as countries included in the Erasmus+ program (Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Türkiye) are welcome to apply. The application process includes answering a 5-question quiz about the EU and its European Youth Portal. Submissions will be ranked based on the quiz responses and travel passes will be distributed according to this ranking.

Applications are open until 16 October at noon, Central European time, on the website of DiscoverEU. To ensure equal opportunities for those born throughout the year, the program accepts applications twice a year. Typically, one round takes place in autumn (currently happening) and the other one in spring. It is important to note that people who have travelled with DiscoverEU in previous rounds are not eligible to submit another application.

2. Travel opportunities and routes

Approved candidates will be able to travel within Europe for up to 30 days from March 2025 to March 2026. They can either create their own routes or choose from established ones such as the Green Route, the Culture Route, or the Digital Route, among others.

The Green Route explores cities that have been European Green Capital and Green Leaf winners. The Culture Route, on the other hand, focuses on cultural aspects such as music, food, and history, and it offers travellers the chance to explore Europe’s heritage. Lastly, the Digital Route will take explorers to the most innovative cities that use technologies for smarter living with the opportunity to explore smart transportation, eco-friendly solutions, and more.

The Digital Route © European Union

The winning travellers will also receive a DiscoverEU European Youth Card for a wide range of discounts on activities such as sports, cultural exploration, and learning experiences but also food, accommodation, and public transport.

3. Understanding EU culture

The European Commission, for its part, expects to hear back from the youngsters and encourages them to share their experiences on social media. This trip would allow participants to strengthen their connection to the EU and connect with like-minded individuals.

“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. I encourage all 18-year-olds to take advantage of this action under the Erasmus+ program,” said Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth.

After the selection process, participants become DiscoverEU Ambassadors. They are expected to inspire the next generation of young adventurers to apply for their DiscoverEU passes. This can be done by sharing with friends and family, engaging with their local newspaper, adding “DiscoverEU Ambassador” to their social media bios or presenting their experiences at various organizations such as schools and universities.

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