The Commission is offering 40,000 free DiscoverEU travel vouchers for young people.
The European Commission has launched a new round of DiscoverEU today, the program that offers thousands of 18-year-olds the chance to explore Europe by train for free. Applications will be open from 12:00 PM (Central European Time) today until 12:00 PM (Central European Time) on April 22, 2026, coinciding with the start of European Youth Week 2026.
A total of 40,000 travel passes are available. Winners will be able to travel by train for up to 30 days between July 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027. Young people born between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008, can apply by answering a questionnaire with five questions about the EU and one additional question on the European Youth Portal. The Commission will award travel vouchers to applicants based on their scores, until the number of available vouchers is exhausted.
The call for applications is open to applicants from the European Union and Erasmus+ Associated States, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey. Ticket holders can plan their own itineraries or draw inspiration from existing proposals, such as the DiscoverEU Cultural Route, which combines diverse cultural destinations focused on architecture, music, fine arts, theater, fashion, and design.
DiscoverEU offers additional support to participants with disabilities, health conditions, or from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. This support may include the possibility of traveling with a companion or access to additional funding through DiscoverEU's inclusion action.
While DiscoverEU promotes sustainable rail travel, special provisions exist for young people from islands, outermost regions, overseas countries and territories, and remote areas.
You can find more information in the online press release.