Explore Europe — the EU pays
DiscoverEU gives 18-year-olds the chance to travel across Europe by train, free of charge. 40,000 passes per round. Travel alone or with up to four friends.
40,000
Rail passes per round (Spring 2026)
7
Travel days included
€0
Cost of the pass
What is it?
More than just a rail pass
DiscoverEU is an Erasmus+ initiative giving 18-year-old Europeans the opportunity to discover the continent. You receive a rail pass with 7 travel days within a one-month period, plus a discount card with benefits at hundreds of partners across Europe — accommodation, museums, local transport and food.
Travel is primarily by train (2nd class). Accommodation, food and insurance are your own responsibility — the pass covers transport only. Participants become DiscoverEU Ambassadors and are encouraged to share their travel experiences.
Opportunities
Choose your path
Solo travel
7 travel days within 1 month
Travel alone as a DiscoverEU participant. You choose countries, route and pace entirely yourself.
- ✓Rail pass in 2nd class
- ✓Up to 4 free seat reservations
- ✓Discount card with benefits
- ✓Travel days can be spread out
Group travel
7 travel days within 1 month
Travel together with up to 4 friends. All must meet the eligibility criteria.
- ✓Maximum 5 people in the group
- ✓All must be 18 and eligible
- ✓Same benefits as solo travel
Financial support
What the EU covers
Rail tickets
Rail pass for 2nd class travel. Flights permitted in exceptional cases (islands, remote regions).
Discount card
Discounts on accommodation, culture, local transport and food across Europe.
Seat reservations
Up to 4 free seat reservations included in the rail pass.
Step by step
How it works
Check your eligibility
You must turn 18 between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026 (for the Spring 2026 round). Citizenship in the EU or an associated country.
Apply via the European Youth Portal
Apply directly at youth.europa.eu. Spring 2026 application window: 8–22 April 2026.
Answer the quiz
5 multiple-choice questions about the EU + one tie-breaker question. Those with all 5 correct are ranked on the tie-breaker.
Wait for results
Results announced in June 2026. Passes are allocated per country based on a distribution key.
Activate and travel
Activate your pass by 31 August 2026. Travel possible 1 July 2026 – 30 September 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions answered
Ready to apply?
youth.europa.eu/discovereu
youth.europa.eu och erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu