More than 35,500 youths are set to receive complimentary travel passes for exploring Europe this summer.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. The DiscoverEU scheme will provide free travel passes to 35,551 young Europeans, enabling them to explore the continent.
2. Its goal is to educate youth about Europe's diversity, history, and heritage.
3. Eligibility criteria include being 18 years old and a legal citizen of an EU member state or associated country.
Over 35,000 European youths are set to embark on a journey across the continent this summer, courtesy of the DiscoverEU scheme.
Administered by the European Commission, DiscoverEU, an initiative within the Erasmus+ program, offers young adults aged 18 the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, fostering a deeper understanding of the continent's rich diversity, history, and cultural heritage while facilitating connections among peers from various countries.
In the latest round of applications held in April, over 180,000 individuals vied for the coveted travel passes. From this pool, 35,551 lucky applicants were selected to receive the passes, allowing them to journey independently or in groups of up to five between July 1, 2024, and September 2025.
In addition to the travel passes, recipients will also receive a European Youth Card, entitling them to discounts on transportation, cultural excursions, accommodations, sports activities, educational opportunities, and meals.
To qualify for the DiscoverEU scheme, applicants must be 18 years old and provide accurate information during the application process. They must also hold citizenship in one of the EU member states or associated countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, or Türkiye.
The scheme operates with two application rounds annually, typically in spring and autumn, with the next round slated to open after the summer season. Since its inception in 2018, DiscoverEU has garnered significant interest, attracting approximately 1.4 million applicants.
Reflecting on the surge in applications, Commissioner Iliana Ivanova, responsible for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, expressed satisfaction, noting that the recent round witnessed the highest level of participation since 2021. Anticipation remains high for the forthcoming application period, with official dates to be announced soon.