DiscoverEU: 40,000 young people selected for free train travel across Europe

Brussels – Over 40,000 18-year-olds will be able to take a free train trip across Europe: these are the young Europeans selected by the European Commission as part of the latest DiscoverEU programme, which also marks the 40th anniversary of Schengen. 

In addition to travel passes, participants will benefit from a discount card offering reductions on cultural activities, accommodation, local transport, food, and other services. DiscoverEU is part of the Erasmus+ programme and promotes youth mobility, eco-friendly travel, cultural exchanges, and European unity. Since the project was launched in 2018, more than 1.9 million young people have applied for 431,931 travel passes. In 2025, the budget dedicated to DiscoverEU amounted to 43.8 million euros. 

“This special Schengen 40th anniversary edition is a reminder that mobility is a right we cherish; a cornerstone of our shared European identity,” said Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Equity, Youth, Culture and Sport. DiscoverEU also promotes the DiscoverEU Culture Route, a collection of carefully selected European destinations for fans of cinema, fashion, gastronomy, fine arts and more. 

This cycle was open to people born between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2007 from both EU Member States and Erasmus+ associated countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey), attracting 246,782 applications. As in previous editions, special provisions will ensure access to travellers from islands, outermost regions, or remote areas.

In Italy, 85,664 18-year-olds applied. It was the first country in terms of applications, followed by Germany with 46,298. However, only 4,888 Italians were selected, ranking third after Germany and France. In fact, the selection is made through quotas set for each country.