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Article by Luca Pons – Journalist, Fanpage.it

Just under 5,000 18-year-olds in Italy will be eligible for a pass that will allow them to travel free on trains throughout Europe for a period ranging from one day to one month. The initiative, reminiscent of Interrail, is called DiscoverEU and is managed by the European Union.

Applications will open on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 12:00 PM, and close on November 13. Those who participate and meet all the requirements will then take a five-question multiple-choice quiz, plus a tie-breaking question. Those who pass will receive the pass. Here are all the details, which can be further explored by consulting the official rules and frequently asked questions .

What is the DiscoverEU pass for free travel like Interrail?

The DiscoverEU pass will allow travel on all European trains for up to thirty consecutive days, starting no earlier than March 1, 2026. The number of passes is quite limited: 40,000 in total, up from 35,000 last year, and they are distributed among the various countries based on population. Italy has 4,888 passes available.

Some practical details: train travel will only be permitted, and only in second or economy class. Air travel is excluded—with exceptions for those living in particularly difficult-to-reach areas, such as islands, and then only for the first and last journeys. Local public transport is also excluded. However, along with the train pass, you will also receive a discount card. This will allow you to participate in various events, as well as use public transport and accommodations: all of this is not free, but at discounted rates.

Who can get the pass: the requirements

Only those who are 18 years old or will turn 18 this year will be eligible to apply. The rules are clear: you must have been born between January 1st and December 31st, 2007, to join DiscoverEU. Another important requirement is that those who have previously participated in the program will not be able to apply. The initiative aims to involve as many people as possible, giving space to those who have not been able to do so in the past.

All citizens of European Union countries are eligible, as are citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey. A special situation applies to the United Kingdom: British 18-year-olds residing in the country are not eligible, while those residing in one of the aforementioned countries for any reason will be able to do so.

You can travel alone or apply for a group of up to five people. If you’re participating as a group, only the group leader will need to apply and complete the quiz. Once the first step of the process is complete, the other members will immediately register using the application code provided by the group leader.

Important: All group members must meet the requirements, i.e., be 18 years old and live in Europe. Traveling with other people is not prohibited, but they will have to pay their own expenses and will not be able to use the pass. Regarding groups, anyone can choose to withdraw before departure, including the group leader. This will not affect other pass holders. However, those who withdraw cannot be replaced by others.

How to apply from October 30, 2025

Applications will open at 12:00 PM on Thursday, October 30, 2025. Applications will be accepted until 12:00 PM on Thursday, November 13. Applications must be submitted from the initiative’s official website by clicking the “Participate” button that appears and following the instructions. Results are expected to be announced around January 7, 2026.

The process is simple. First, you’ll provide your date of birth, residence, and citizenship to confirm you meet the requirements. Then, you’ll need to indicate whether you’re traveling alone or in a group (up to five people). You’ll need an email address and a valid ID, which can be an identity card, passport, or residence permit.

How the quiz works and what are the questions?

Once you’ve provided your information, it’s time for the quiz that will determine the ranking. It consists of five multiple-choice questions about the European Union and its initiatives for young people. There’s also a so-called “tie-breaker” question, which isn’t a multiple-choice question but instead asks you to estimate your score. Passes will be awarded to those who answer all five questions correctly and come closest to the correct score in the tie-breaker question.

A sample of the questions can be found on the initiative’s website. The first: “What types of destinations does the DiscoverEU cultural itinerary offer travellers?” The second: “The EYE2025 (European Youth Event), organised by the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, brings together young people aged 16 to 30 for discussions with European policymakers. When will it take place?” The third: “What is the EU Youth Dialogue?” The fourth: “In 2025, the EU celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Schengen area. What does the Schengen area entail?” And the fifth: “What title has the city of Vilnius received for 2025?”

As mentioned, there’s also a tie-breaking question, which won’t have multiple options. The example is: “In this round of applications, how many people have declared they intend to travel alone?” Naturally, it’s impossible to know the answer at the time of application. It’s essentially a matter of estimating.

Ultimately, the person who answered all five questions correctly and came closest to the correct answer on the last question will be at the top of the list. In the (presumably rare) cases where multiple people give the exact same answer to all questions, including the last one, the first to submit their application will be awarded.

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