Young people in Europe have the chance to explore the continent for free through the European Union's DiscoverEU scheme. Applications are currently open on youth.europa.eu until 15 October 2026 at midday Brussels time, offering more than 40,000 free travel passes.
To participate, applicants must be 18 years old, born between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2008. They must be citizens or residents of an EU member state, an associated overseas territory, or a third country linked to the Erasmus+ programme, such as Iceland or Türkiye. Selected participants receive a pass for environmentally friendly transport, primarily trains, allowing them to travel for up to seven days within a one-month period between 1 March 2027 and 31 May 2028.
In addition to the travel pass, successful applicants receive a DiscoverEU discount card. This card offers savings on accommodation, cultural activities, sports, and local transport to make trips more affordable. Friends can also submit group applications together for the opportunity to travel as a team.
Travelers can plan their own itineraries or follow curated paths like the DiscoverEU Culture Route. This route visits notable destinations, including former European Capitals of Culture such as Cork in Ireland and Valletta in Malta, as well as cities like Lyon in France that are recognized for high accessibility standards.