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.