OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE EUROPE FOR FREE THIS SUMMER

If you are 18 years old and dream of traveling through Europe by train – now is the perfect opportunity! The European Union is relaunching the DiscoverEU program, offering 36,000 free train tickets to young people across Europe.

PHOTO: Pixabay

Last October, 35,500 tickets were distributed, and if you missed the chance to apply then, here’s your new opportunity! Applications are now open for those born between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007.

To participate, you need to answer five general knowledge questions and briefly describe your travel plans and how you plan to fund them. Based on your answers, a ranking list will be created, and if the number of applications exceeds the number of available tickets, the "first come, first served" principle will apply.

You can also apply as a group leader (maximum six members). Only the group leader needs to answer the questions, while the others use a shared registration code.

Who can apply?

In addition to the age requirement, you must be a legal resident of one of the 27 EU countries or live in an Erasmus+ program participant country – Iceland, Liechtenstein,

North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, or Turkey. Also, you cannot have previously received a DiscoverEU ticket.

How does the travel work?

Winners can use their ticket to travel for up to 30 days between July 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026. Of this, up to seven days can be used for actual travel. Within your home country, only one outbound and one return journey are allowed to ensure the focus remains on exploring other cultures.

Additionally, each country has a predetermined number of available tickets.

Other benefits for travelers

In addition to the train ticket, winners will receive the European Youth Card (EYCA), valid for one year, offering numerous discounts on cultural activities, transport, and accommodation across Europe.

In exchange, participants are encouraged to become ambassadors for the program by sharing their experiences on social media or through presentations at their schools.

Applications are open until April 16, and all information and the application form can be found on the European Youth Portal.