DiscoverEU applications are now open, giving thousands of young Europeans the chance to travel across the continent with a free travel pass and access to discounts on accommodation, culture, sports and other services. Applications close at midday Brussels time on 15 October 2026.
The European Union programme is aimed at young people turning 18 in 2026. More than 40,000 travel passes are available in this round, allowing successful applicants to explore Europe using mainly sustainable forms of transport, including rail.
To qualify, applicants must have been born between 1 January and 31 December 2008. They must also be citizens or legal residents of an EU member state, an Overseas Country or Territory associated with the EU, or a third country associated with the Erasmus+ programme, including Iceland and Türkiye.
Those selected will receive a travel pass allowing them to travel for up to seven days within a one-month period. The travel period for this round runs from 1 March 2027 to 31 May 2028, giving successful applicants considerable flexibility over when to make their trip.
The pass is designed primarily around more environmentally friendly transport, with trains playing a central role in the programme. For young travellers hoping to see several countries in one journey, the scheme can provide an opportunity to build a multi-city European trip without having to cover the full cost of the main transport.
DiscoverEU also comes with a discount card that can reduce the cost of parts of the trip. Discounts are available on accommodation, cultural activities, sports, local transport and other services. The combination of free travel and these additional offers can make a significant difference to young people travelling on a limited budget.
Travelling with friends is also possible. Applicants can submit a group application, allowing friends who meet the eligibility requirements to apply together. If the group is selected, its members can travel as part of the same DiscoverEU experience.
For travellers who do not yet have a route in mind, the programme also offers the DiscoverEU Culture Route. The pre-planned itinerary connects destinations around Europe through themes including architecture, music, fine art, theatre, fashion, folk art and local food.
The route includes cities that have received recognition from European institutions for their cultural or accessibility work. Cork in Ireland and Valletta in Malta, for example, have both held the title of European Capital of Culture. Lyon in France has also been recognised for efforts to make the city more accessible to people of different ages and abilities.
The Culture Route is not the only option. DiscoverEU participants can use it as inspiration while creating their own itinerary based on the places and experiences they want to explore. That could mean linking several cities by train, focusing on cultural destinations or simply building a journey around personal interests.
Applications for the current DiscoverEU round remain open until 15 October 2026 at midday Brussels time. Eligible young people can apply through the European Union’s Youth Portal at youth.europa.eu/discovereu.
