DiscoverEU is an EU initiative offering young people the opportunity to travel Europe. The aim is to help Europe’s youth connect with their European identity and raise awareness of the core values of the European Union through travel. free Interrail passes

What is DiscoverEU?

Discover EU is an initiative of the European Union that offers young Europeans the opportunity to travel across Europe by train. Funded by the European Parliament, the project aims at supporting 18-year-olds to become more independent, develop soft skills, and embrace European values.

How does it work? free Interrail passes

In general, there are two rounds per year, each consisting of an equal number of travellers. Participants must travel by train over a period of 5 to 6 months per round. Awarded travellers are offered the choice between a flexible and a fixed travel option. Over 95% of the participants opt for the flexible option, which is the Interrail Global Pass.

DiscoverEU boosts the ideal of European integration while promoting rail as a climate-friendly mode of transport connecting people across Europe, values that are shared by Eurail.

When is the next round?

Almost 70 000 young people have been awarded a travel pass since the first application round in June 2018. Another round will take place between Tuesday 12 October 2021 at 12:00 (CEST) and Tuesday 26 October 2021 at 12:00 (CEST). An ‘Apply Now’ button will appear on this page on D-Day!

To be eligible, you need to:

• Have been born between 1 July 2001 (included) and 31 December 2003 (included);
• Have the nationality of one of the Member States of the European Union at the time of the award decision;
• Complete the correct ID or passport number on the online application form.

Then you will need to participate in a quiz (unless you apply as a group member).

If you are selected, you can travel for a minimum of 1 day and up to 30 days between March 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023.

Note that if you have a disability or a health problem that makes your trip challenging, you will receive assistance and support to help you take part in DiscoverEU.

Can I travel with my friends?

Yes you can! It really is up to you. You can go solo or add up to 4 friends in your group provided they meet the eligibility conditions above. They will use your application code to submit their own application. Check out FAQs B.5 to B.11 to know more.

You can also organise meet-ups and combine travel plans with other DiscoverEU travellers! The DiscoverEU Facebook Group is a good platform to do this. Join the Group now to chat with other participants.

European Year of Rail

Competition for the tickets is fierce, though, with nearly 350,000 young people applying for the 2018-2019 round. The three countries with the most applicants are Italy, France, and Spain.

2021 is the European Year of Rail, an initiative to encourage EU citizens to travel by train to help tackle climate change and achieve a carbon-neutral EU by 2050.

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