DiscoverEU celebrates 40 years of Schengen with 40,000 tickets for young travellers

The European Commission is offering 40,000 young people a unique opportunity to explore Europe through DiscoverEU, an action of the Erasmus+ programme, on the occasion of the 40^th anniversary of the Schengen area.

To apply for a travel pass, young people born between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2007 must complete a short quiz about the EU on the European Youth Portal. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to travel for free for up to 30 days between 1 March 2026 and 31 May 2027, and will receive a discount card for public transport, culture, accommodation, food, sports, and other services in 36 European countries.

Ticket holders can plan their own routes or be inspired by existing ones, such as the New European Bauhaus Route which includes stops in beautiful, sustainable and inclusive cities, in line with the New European Bauhaus initiative.

Another is the DiscoverEU Green Route which takes young travellers to some of the most sustainable and nature-friendly destinations across the continent, such as the winning cities of the European Green Capitals and Green Lead Award or the cities leading the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission. DiscoverEU’s top green tips to travel help participants with the planning of their green routes.

The DiscoverEU call opens today at 12:00 CET and will run until 13 November 2025 at 12:00 CET. It is open to applicants from the European Union and third countries associated to the Erasmus+ programme. Participants with disabilities or health issues will receive support on their journeys, in line with the values of the Erasmus+ programme and the DiscoverEU Inclusion Action. This will include the possibility to travel with accompanying persons.

Background

The Commission launched DiscoverEU in June 2018, at the initiative of the European Parliament. Today, it is part of the Erasmus+ programme 2021-2027.

Since 2018, more than 1.6 million candidates have applied for 391,000 travel passes. DiscoverEU has given young people a better understanding of other cultures and European history, and has improved their language skills.

The latest DiscoverEU post-travel survey revealed that this programme marked the first time that 63% of respondents travelled internationally by train. For many, it was also the first time they travelled without parents or accompanying adults, and the majority indicated an increased sense of independence. Over two-thirds said that they would not have been able to finance their travel pass without DiscoverEU.

Participants are invited to become DiscoverEU Ambassadors to champion the initiative. The #DiscoverEU Official group, where young travellers can contact each other to share experiences and tips, has more than 110,000 members.

More information: European Commission