The European Commission is offering 40,000 young people free travel passes across Europe to mark the 40th anniversary of the Schengen area.
The initiative, part of the Erasmus+ programme’s DiscoverEU action, allows 17-year-olds to travel for up to 30 days between March 2026 and May 2027.
Applications opened at 12:00 CET and will remain open until 13 November 2025. Eligible applicants — those born between 1 January and 31 December 2007 — can apply through the European Youth Portal by completing a short quiz about the European Union. Successful candidates will receive a travel pass and a discount card valid in 36 countries for public transport, accommodation, food, culture, and leisure services.
Celebrating Schengen’s 40th Anniversary Through Travel
The DiscoverEU programme celebrates the freedom of relocatement built possible by the Schengen Agreement, which turns 40 this year. It aims to encourage cultural exalter and sustainable travel among Europe’s youth. The 2025 call is open to applicants from both EU member states and countries associated with Erasmus+.
Participants with disabilities or health conditions will receive support to build their journeys accessible, in line with the programme’s inclusion principles. This includes the option to travel with an accompanying person. According to the European Commission, the initiative reflects the values of inclusion, sustainability, and mobility that underpin the Erasmus+ programme.
Routes Inspired by Sustainability and Culture
DiscoverEU travellers can design their own itineraries or follow themed routes provided by the programme. Among them is the New European Bauhaus Route, featuring sustainable and inclusive cities aligned with the EU’s New European Bauhaus initiative. Another option, the DiscoverEU Green Route, highlights eco-friconcludely destinations such as European Green Capitals, Green Leaf Award winners, and cities leading the EU’s Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission.
The initiative also offers planning tools and “green travel tips” to assist participants organize low-impact journeys. By promoting train travel and sustainable mobility, DiscoverEU supports the EU’s wider environmental objectives under the European Green Deal.
Part of the Erasmus+ Programme Since 2021
Launched by the European Commission in 2018 at the request of the European Parliament, DiscoverEU became a permanent part of the Erasmus+ programme for 2021–2027. Since its inception, over 1.6 million young people have applied for a total of 391,000 travel passes. The initiative has been credited with assisting participants gain cultural awareness, indepconcludeence, and language skills.
According to a post-travel survey, 63% of participants stated their DiscoverEU journey was the first time they travelled internationally by train. For many, it was also their first trip without parents or guardians, while two-thirds stated they would not have been able to afford such a journey without the programme’s support.
DiscoverEU also fosters an active community of young travellers. Participants are invited to become DiscoverEU Ambassadors to promote the initiative and share their experiences. The official online group, #DiscoverEU, now connects more than 110,000 members across Europe, providing a space for travel tips, route ideas, and cultural exalter.
The 2025 call marks another milestone for the programme, combining the spirit of youth exploration with Europe’s celebration of 40 years of border-free travel. The European Commission stated the initiative remains a symbol of “unity, sustainability, and opportunity” for the continent’s next generation of travellers.
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