EU Commission Awards 40,912 Free Rail Passes to Young Europeans

The European Commission has distributed free train travel passes to 40,912 young adults across Europe, giving them the chance to explore the continent through the DiscoverEU initiative, part of the Erasmus+ programme. The announcement was made on Monday, marking another successful round of one of the EU's most popular youth mobility schemes.

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It is designed to give young Europeans the opportunity to explore the continent's diversity, learn about its cultural heritage and history, and connect with people from across Europe.

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Who Received the Passes This Round

The travel passes have been awarded to 18-year-olds born between July 2007 and June 2008. Recipients can use their passes to travel across European Union member states from July this year through to September of the following year, giving them over a year to plan and take their trips.

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More Than Just a Train Ticket

Winning a pass comes with more than just the ability to hop on a train. Selected travellers also receive a DiscoverEU discount card, the European Youth Card, which unlocks a range of savings on hostels, trams, museums, cultural visits, and food. The card is designed to make travel more accessible and affordable for young people who may be setting off on their first independent journey across Europe.

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How the Programme Works

DiscoverEU runs two application rounds every year, one in spring and one in autumn. Applicants can travel alone or as part of a group of up to five people, provided each member meets the eligibility criteria. Travel is predominantly by rail, though exceptions apply for those living on islands or in remote areas where train connections are limited.

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Applying is straightforward and done entirely online through the European Youth Portal. The application form requires:

• A valid identity card, passport, or residence permit number
• Completion of a short quiz, solo applicants must take this, though group members are exempt
• For group applications, the group leader applies first and shares a code with friends, who each submit their own individual applications using it

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Passes are not guaranteed, selection follows country-specific quotas that determine how many passes are allocated per participating nation. Once selected, the relevant Erasmus+ National Agency gets in touch and helps winners prepare through pre-departure meetings and traveller meet-ups ahead of their journey.

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Who is Eligible?

To be eligible, applicants must:

• have celebrated or will celebrate their 18th birthday between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, i.e. those young people born between 1 July 2007 (included) and 30 June 2008 (included)

• be citizens or residents of one of:
  • the 27 Member States of the European Union including its outermost regions (French Guiana (FR), Guadeloupe (FR), Martinique (FR), la Réunion (FR), Mayotte (FR), Saint-Martin (FR), Azores (PT), Madeira (PT) and Canary Islands (ES)), or
  • the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) associated with the European Union: Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), Saint Pierre et Miquelon (FR), Wallis et Futuna Islands (FR), or
  • the third countries associated to the Erasmus+ programme: Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Türkiye.

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When To Apply?

The EU Commission runs two rounds every year, one in spring and one in autumn, giving young Europeans two chances annually to apply. The spring round opens in April for two weeks, and the autumn round opens between 1 and 15 October every year.

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A Growing Programme With New Additions

DiscoverEU continues to expand its reach. From 2027, the United Kingdom will officially join the Erasmus+ programme, which means British young adults will also become eligible to participate in future rounds of DiscoverEU. Selected participants automatically become DiscoverEU Ambassadors and are encouraged to document and share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #DiscoverEU, helping to inspire the next generation of young European travellers.

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