Do something thattruly matters
The EU funds volunteering, rail travel, paid internships and job support for young Europeans. All the information in one place — simple and without bureaucracy.
11
EU programmes covered
16m+
Erasmus+ participants since 1987
40,000
DiscoverEU passes per round
€0
Cost for you to apply
What is this?
The EU pays — you choose how to contribute
The European Union offers a wide range of funded programmes for young people: volunteering abroad, free rail travel across Europe, paid internships at EU institutions, job support and information services. This guide brings all programmes together in one place — with concrete information on requirements, what is covered and how to apply. No bureaucracy. Just facts.
EU's programmes
Choose your path
European Solidarity Corps
Volunteer, run a solidarity project or take part in humanitarian action — funded by the EU.
Humanitarian Volunteering
Volunteer in third countries outside the EU for humanitarian action — disaster response, refugee protection and climate.
Erasmus+
The EU's major education and mobility programme — studies, internships, youth exchanges and more.
DiscoverEU
Explore Europe for free by rail — exclusively for 18-year-olds.
Blue Book Traineeship
Paid 5-month traineeship at the European Commission in Brussels, Luxembourg or elsewhere in the EU.
Robert Schuman Traineeship
Paid 5-month traineeship at the European Parliament — Brussels, Strasbourg, Luxembourg or national liaison offices.
EURES
The European job-matching network — find work, an internship or training in another European country.
EURES Targeted Mobility
Targeted financial support to overcome practical barriers to job-seeking in Europe — language courses, travel and more.
Eurodesk
The European youth information network — find all opportunities in one place.
Europe Direct
The EU's central citizen contact service — ask anything about the EU, free, in your own language.
EU Youth Portal
The European Commission's and Eurodesk's shared portal — all EU information for young people in one place.
Step by step
How to get started
Choose your programme
Browse the programmes below. Filter by category — volunteering, internship, travel or jobs.
Read up properly
Each programme has its own page with full information on requirements, what is covered and how to apply.
Apply via the official portal
Every programme links directly to the official EU application portal. Applications are always free.
Find the right fit
Which programme suits you?
I want to volunteer abroad
ESC funds volunteering for up to 12 months. Accommodation, food, travel and pocket money are all covered. No experience required.
To ESC →I want to do humanitarian work outside the EU
ESC's humanitarian branch sends you to third countries — refugee protection, disaster response, climate. Mandatory training required.
To humanitarian volunteering →I'm turning 18 and want to travel Europe
DiscoverEU gives you a free rail pass with 7 travel days. 40,000 passes per round, selected through an EU quiz.
To DiscoverEU →I have a degree and want to intern at the EU
Blue Book (Commission, €1,538/month) and the Schuman traineeship (Parliament, up to €2,257/month in Sweden) offer paid 5-month placements.
To Blue Book →I want to work in another EU country
EURES has 3 million job vacancies and free advice in 31 countries. EURES TMS provides financial support for travel and language courses.
To EURES →I'm not sure what I'm looking for
Eurodesk is the EU's youth information network with 200+ programmes in its database. Start there for a broad overview.
To Eurodesk →Frequently asked questions
Your questions answered
About the guide
An unofficial, independent guide
This guide was created to share information about EU opportunities in a simple, non-bureaucratic way. The primary source is a rigorously compiled document based exclusively on official EU websites: youth.europa.eu, commission.europa.eu, eacea.ec.europa.eu, erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu and eures.europa.eu.
This website is unofficial and not affiliated with the European Union or any of its institutions. Official and legally binding information is always available on the respective EU institution's website.
Ready to take the step?
Choose a programme and apply directly on the official EU portal — free of charge.