DiscoverEU is providing complimentary rail passes to 35,500 young individuals for the summer of 2024.

Here are the main points:

• The EU Commission has restarted the DiscoverEU initiative this summer, granting 35,500 complimentary travel passes to individuals aged 18-19.
• Those born between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006, are eligible to apply through a quiz available on the European Youth Portal until April 30.
• If selected, participants can travel for a maximum of 30 days between July 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025.

In the summer of 2024, an exciting opportunity awaits thousands of young Europeans as the European Commission reopens its popular DiscoverEU program, offering a total of 35,500 travel permits. These passes enable individuals aged 18 and over to explore Europe's diverse landscapes, cultures, and histories by train, all at no cost. The application window for this round of DiscoverEU is now open and will remain so until Tuesday, April 30.

To obtain a pass, young people born between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006, can participate in a quiz with five questions about the EU and an additional question on the European Youth Portal. Successful applicants will receive a free rail pass to travel in Europe for up to 30 days between July 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025.

The call is open not only to EU citizens but also to individuals from countries linked to the Erasmus+ program, such as Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey. Pass holders have the flexibility to choose their travel routes or follow suggested ones, including routes that highlight the EU's values of beauty, sustainability, and inclusivity, such as the New European Bauhaus route.

Additionally, participants can explore the DiscoverEU Culture Route, which features cultural spots like historic sites, music venues, art galleries, theaters, and fashion and design locations. They can visit European Capitals of Culture, UNESCO World Heritage sites, European Heritage Label places, or Access City Award cities known for accessibility.

In 2022 alone, Erasmus+ supported approximately 26,000 projects, benefiting over 73,000 organizations and offering learning opportunities to more than 1.2 million students, teachers, trainers, and young people.

Beyond providing travel passes, DiscoverEU also offers participants a discount card with over 40,000 discounts on public transport, culture, accommodation, food, sports, and more in eligible countries. Erasmus+ National Agencies host informational sessions before departure, and agencies in Erasmus+ countries organize DiscoverEU Meet-ups, short learning events lasting from one to three days.

Since its inception in June 2018, the DiscoverEU program has seen over one million young people apply for 248,000 travel passes until October 2023. The Commission encourages young people to choose sustainable rail travel whenever possible.