The EU is offering almost 36,000 free rail passes to 18-year-olds as part of the DiscoverEU scheme, which aims to provide young Europeans with the opportunity to explore Europe’s heritage and culture. To be eligible for a free rail pass, applicants must be born between 1 July 2006 and 30 June 2007 and be legal residents of the EU member states or associated countries. Applicants will need to answer six questions, including five multiple-choice questions about the EU and one additional question about their travel plans. These questions will not impact the selection process, as applicants will be ranked based on their EU quiz responses.
Those who are selected will receive a free rail pass that allows them to travel in Europe for up to 30 days between 1 July 2025 and 30 September 2026. Participants can choose to travel alone or in a group of up to five friends, with the group leader being responsible for answering the EU quiz questions. The travel pass can be used for journeys within the participant’s residency country and at least one other eligible country. The pass is typically worth up to €283.26 in second or economy class, with the possibility of additional modes of transportation being included for remote or overseas regions. A European Youth Card will also be provided, offering discounts on various activities across the EU.
Applicants for the free rail pass will be selected based on the correctness of their responses, with a quota of travel passes allocated to each country. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than passes available, a ‘first come, first served’ principle may apply. Special support is available for participants with disabilities or health conditions. Successful applicants will be notified by email and connected with an EU contractor to handle travel bookings and payments. Passes purchased by selected applicants will not be reimbursed.
In return for the free rail pass, applicants are invited to become DiscoverEU Ambassadors, sharing their travel experiences through social media or presentations. The scheme’s app allows participants to create a customised map of their itinerary with statistics on their travels, which can be shared online. Participants will also need to complete an online survey after their journey to receive a certificate of participation highlighting the skills gained from their travel experience. The DiscoverEU scheme aims to provide young Europeans with a budget-friendly way to explore Europe and learn about different cultures and heritage.
