DiscoverEU is one of the European Union’s most successful youth initiatives, offering 18-year-olds the opportunity to explore Europe with a free rail pass. But it’s more than just a travel grant — it’s a journey into the shared values of Europe, where young people discover diversity, common history, and a sense of belonging that transcends borders.
Launched as a pilot project in 2018, DiscoverEU has since given more than 350,000 young Europeans the chance to travel across the continent. Since 2021, it has become part of the Erasmus+ programme, expanding its reach and strengthening its educational and cultural mission. The enthusiasm is enormous: every round attracts hundreds of thousands of applicants. Those selected receive a one-month Interrail Global Pass, allowing them to travel flexibly across up to 30 European countries.
Participation is simple but symbolic — it’s open to anyone who is 18 years old in the year of the application and is a citizen or legal resident of an EU Member State or a country associated with Erasmus+. The programme also promotes sustainable mobility, encouraging train travel as a greener alternative to flying. In cases where rail connections are limited by geography, other modes of transport may be used.
Beyond the ticket itself, DiscoverEU opens a gateway to learning by experience. For many participants, it is their first solo adventure, their first encounter with other cultures, and their first real sense of what it means to be European.
If you were born in 2007, this is your chance!
Applications open on Thursday, 30 October 2025, at 12:00 (noon CET) and
close on Thursday, 13 November 2025, at 12:00 (noon CET).
Young people born in 2007 and eager to embark on their European adventure can apply through the official DiscoverEU portal.
For thousands of 18-year-olds, this journey is more than a trip — it’s a defining step toward discovering Europe and themselves.
