Live

Article by Giulia Casula – Journalist, Fanpage.it

It's called DiscoverEU and is an initiative promoted by the European Union , within the Erasmus+ program, to allow 18-year-olds to travel around Europe for free. The project is open to those residing in one of the 27 EU member states or in third-party countries associated with the Erasmus+ program (Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey).

Participants are given a pass for free travel, primarily by train, but other options are available for those coming from islands or remote areas. In addition to the pass, they will receive the European Youth Card, which provides access to various discounts on food, accommodation, tours, sports activities, and local transportation. Let's take a look at what it consists of, the requirements, and how to participate.

What does DiscoverEu consist of?

DiscoverEu is an Erasmus+ program initiative open to those who have just turned eighteen, allowing them to explore the European continent for free. They can travel alone or in groups with friends, up to five people, provided they meet all the eligibility requirements. Those selected will receive a pass for free travel, primarily by train, but the ticket also includes travel on other modes of transport. The pass also includes the European Youth Card, which provides access to accommodation and meals, discounts on food, cultural visits, and various activities.

The experience can last from a minimum of one day to a maximum of thirty days within the period specified in the call for applications. Furthermore, two travel options are available: fixed or flexible, depending on the participant's preferred method of participation (fixed dates and destinations, limited number of countries visited, and costs covered by the EU).

How DiscoverEU Works, the Free Travel Pass for Europe

As mentioned, the initiative is open to adults only. To participate, you must be 18 years of age or older by the first day of your trip. Otherwise, you will not be able to register. Participants must correctly enter their identity card, passport, or residence permit number in the online application form and be citizens or residents of one of the 27 EU member states or one of the countries included in the Erasmus+ program (Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey). Participants will then become DiscoverEu Ambassadors and will be invited to share their experiences through their social media profiles or in person at events or in schools.

How to get the pass and when to register

There are two application rounds, one in the spring and one in the fall. Therefore, it's not currently possible to register; those wishing to do so will have to wait until the fall. Interested parties can log on to the dedicated portal in the coming months, where application instructions will be provided. During the application process, participants will be asked to enter their personal information and complete a quiz. This consists of five multiple-choice questions on European culture and EU youth initiatives. If a high number of applications are received, another will be added to allow the selectors to rank the participants. If you wish to register as a group (up to a maximum of five), you will need to nominate a group leader who will be assigned a code to send to the other members to register online.

The latest round, open to young people born between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007, attracted over 11,000 applications in Italy. In total, over four thousand 18-year-old Italians received passes to travel between July 2025 and September 2026.

Written by

Shape the conversation

Do you have anything to add to this story? Any ideas for interviews or angles we should explore? Let us know if you’d like to write a follow-up, a counterpoint, or share a similar story.

Write a counterargument article Write a related article