DiscoverEU is a European Union initiative, part of Erasmus+, that gives 18-year-olds a free travel pass to explore Europe, mainly by rail, for up to 30 days. It is not just a trip. It is a chance to discover new cultures, meet other young Europeans, and see the continent for yourself. This guide explains what DiscoverEU is, who can apply, what is actually covered, the DiscoverEU Inclusion Action for young people with fewer opportunities, and exactly how to apply.
What Is DiscoverEU? 🌍
DiscoverEU gives young people the chance to explore Europe through short travel experiences, by rail or, where necessary, other modes of transport. It sits within Erasmus+, the EU's programme for education, training, youth, and sport, and it is designed to help young Europeans experience what it means to be part of a united Europe. Since 2018, more than 250,000 young people have received a DiscoverEU travel pass. You can travel on your own or in a group of up to five friends, and plan your own route across the continent.
The Mission 🌟
DiscoverEU is about more than getting from one city to another. Its main goals are to:
🔹 🌎 Encourage intercultural learning and a sense of European identity
🔹 🚆 Promote sustainable, green travel
🔹 💬 Support inclusion and equal opportunities
🔹 💫 Inspire young people to explore, learn, and connect
The idea is simple: sometimes the best classroom is the continent itself.
What Does It Offer? 🎫
Selected participants receive a free travel pass (usually an Interrail pass) to explore Europe for up to 30 days. Along the way you can:
🔹 🗺️ Visit iconic cities and lesser-known gems
🔹 🤝 Meet other DiscoverEU travellers
🔹 🎨 Join youth events, cultural festivals, and meetups
🔹 📸 Collect memories and stories that last
You travel solo or with a group of up to five, and you decide your own itinerary.
Where Can You Travel? 🗺️
You can travel across the EU Member States and the countries taking part in the Erasmus+ Programme, from the Mediterranean coast to the cities of Central and Northern Europe. To see the full list of countries whose residents can take part and where you can go, check our guide on eligible Erasmus+ and ESC countries.
Who Can Apply? 💙
For the main DiscoverEU rounds, you must:
🔹 ✅ Be 18 years old at the time of the application round
🔹 ✅ Be a national or legal resident of an EU Member State or an Erasmus+ Programme country
🔹 ✅ Be ready for the adventure
Applications open in fixed rounds, usually twice a year. Because the age rule is tied to the round, timing matters, and you can read more about age rules across the programmes in our Erasmus+ and ESC age limits guide. For the wider eligibility picture, see who can apply.
What Is Actually Covered, and What Is Not 💶
Being honest about the funding matters, because DiscoverEU is not an all-expenses-paid holiday:
🔹 ✅ A free travel pass, mainly for rail travel across Europe
🔹 ✅ A discount card giving reductions on accommodation, culture, local transport, and more
🔹 ✅ Travel tips, a youth support network, and green-travel guidance
⚠️ What it does not cover: DiscoverEU does not pay for your accommodation, food, or daily spending. The pass covers your travel, and the discount card helps you save, but your living costs during the trip are yours to budget. Some participants in the Inclusion Action may receive extra financial support for inclusion and accessibility needs.
DiscoverEU Inclusion Action: Extra Support for Fewer Opportunities 🤲
Launched in 2022, the DiscoverEU Inclusion Action helps young people with fewer opportunities take part on equal footing. Instead of applying alone in the open rounds, a group of one to five young people with fewer opportunities, from the same country, travel together with the support of an organisation or informal group. Key differences:
🔹 It is open to young people aged 18 to 21 (the main DiscoverEU rounds are for 18-year-olds)
🔹 An organisation provides guidance through planning, preparation, the travel itself, and follow-up
🔹 Extra inclusion support can cover specific needs, and no contribution can be collected from the young people
It exists to reach young people who would not apply on their own and to remove the obstacles that stand between them and the trip.
Recognition: Youthpass and What You Learn 📜
DiscoverEU is a learning experience, not only a holiday. The competences you build, from independence and problem-solving to intercultural understanding, can be identified and documented, and participants in the Inclusion Action can have their learning outcomes recognised with a Youthpass certificate. Reflecting on what you gained is what turns a great trip into something you can talk about later in your studies or a job application.
How to Apply 🧭
The process is straightforward:
🔹 1️⃣ Wait for the next application round (the official DiscoverEU application takes place through the European Youth Portal)
🔹 2️⃣ Fill in the application form and a short quiz
🔹 3️⃣ If selected, receive your free travel pass
🔹 4️⃣ Plan your route and start exploring
If you might be eligible for the Inclusion Action, ask a local youth organisation whether they run DiscoverEU Inclusion projects, as they apply and travel with you rather than you applying alone.
Why Join DiscoverEU? 💫
DiscoverEU is not just travel, it is a chance to grow:
🔹 💪 Gain independence and confidence
🔹 👫 Meet people from all over Europe
🔹 🌍 Learn about cultures, languages, and values
🔹 📸 Create stories that stay with you
For many young people it is a first taste of Europe that leads to bigger steps, like an Erasmus+ youth exchange later on.
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
What is DiscoverEU?
DiscoverEU is an EU initiative, part of Erasmus+, that gives 18-year-olds a free travel pass, mainly by rail, to explore Europe for up to 30 days. You can travel alone or in a group of up to five.
Who can apply for DiscoverEU?
For the main rounds, you must be 18 years old at the time of the application round and a national or legal resident of an EU Member State or an Erasmus+ Programme country. The DiscoverEU Inclusion Action is open to young people aged 18 to 21 with fewer opportunities, through an organisation.
Is DiscoverEU completely free?
The travel pass is free and you get a discount card, but DiscoverEU does not pay for your accommodation, food, or daily spending. You budget your living costs yourself. Inclusion Action participants may receive extra support for specific needs.
How long can I travel?
Your DiscoverEU pass is valid for travel for up to 30 days, and you plan your own route across eligible countries.
How do I apply?
Applications open in rounds, usually twice a year, through the official DiscoverEU application on the European Youth Portal. You complete a form and a short quiz, and selected applicants receive their travel pass.
In Short 💙
DiscoverEU is your chance to see Europe at 18 with a free rail pass, on your own terms. The pass and discount card cover your travel and help you save, though you budget your own accommodation and food. If you have fewer opportunities, the Inclusion Action opens the same adventure with extra support. Watch for the next round, take the quiz, and start planning your route.
👉 Find your next opportunity: Erasmus+ projects on Youth Works Hub
