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The DiscoverEU initiative, an action under the Erasmus+ programme (2021–2027), will award approximately 40,000 free travel passes to young people turning 18 in 2026. Funded with a budget of €23.5 million, the programme offers a unique opportunity for European youth to explore the continent’s cultural heritage, diversity, and shared identity — primarily by train.
Eligibility is strictly defined: applicants must have been born between 1 January and 31 December 2008, meaning they turn 18 sometime during 2026. They must also be citizens or legal residents of one of the 27 EU Member States — including outermost regions like the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands — or of an Erasmus+-associated country: Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, or Türkiye. Residents of certain Overseas Countries and Territories (e.g., Greenland, French Polynesia) are also eligible.
The application window opens on 1 October 2026 at 12:00 (Brussels time) and closes on 15 October 2026 at the same time. Applications must be submitted exclusively via the European Youth Portal. Each applicant must provide a valid ID, passport, or residence permit number and agree to a Declaration of Honour.
A key part of the application is a five-question multiple-choice quiz on EU knowledge and youth initiatives, followed by a subsidiary estimation question used to break ties. Group applications (up to five people) are permitted; only the group leader completes the quiz, but all members must meet eligibility criteria and submit personal data. Importantly, only one application per person is allowed, and previous DiscoverEU recipients are ineligible.
Successful applicants will receive a travel pass valid for up to seven days of rail travel within any continuous 30-day period between 1 March 2027 and 31 May 2028. Travel must include at least one country other than the applicant’s country of residence. While train travel is prioritised for environmental reasons, exceptions — including flights — are permitted for remote areas or islands. Participants also receive a DiscoverEU discount card offering reduced rates on accommodation, cultural activities, sports, and local transport.
Results will be announced in January 2027, with notifications sent via email and accessible using the individual application code on the portal. A reserve list ensures fairness if spots open due to withdrawals or unactivated passes.
This initiative builds on broader EU mobility goals — such as the One Train Ticket scheme for seamless cross-border rail travel — and complements long-standing efforts like the Erasmus+ Living Book project, which fosters intercultural learning among youth. It also echoes private-sector mobility partnerships like COSMOTE’s World Pass campaign, underscoring growing public and private investment in youth-led European connection.