DiscoverEU - Free interrail trip for all Europeans turning 18 to #DiscoverEU

DiscoverEU is an action of the Erasmus+ programme that gives you the opportunity to discover Europe through learning experiences. Travelling predominantly by rail (there are exceptions to allow those living on islands or in remote areas), you will discover Europe’s stunning landscapes and its variety of cities and towns. You can apply during the two application rounds which take place each year. Successful applicants are awarded with a travel pass.

To be eligible, you need to:

To be eligible, you need to:

• be born between 1 July 2005 (included) and 30 June 2006 (included);
• complete the correct identity card (ID), passport or residence card number on the online application form;
• be citizen or resident* of one of the following countries:
• one of the Member States of the European Union including Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), or   
• one of the third countries associated to the Erasmus+ programme: Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Türkiye. 

* For more information see the Rules section “2. Eligible applicants”

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 period of minimum 1 day and up to 30 days between 1 July 2024 and 30 September 2025.

Booking of travel tickets and rules for travelling

he selected applicants shall start their journey in a country which is part of DiscoverEU (see point 2 – Eligible applicants) and travel to at least one country, which is also part of DiscoverEU and which is different from the country of departure. The overall trip can last from a minimum of 1 day to a maximum of 1 month inclusive. The trip should fall within the period 1 July 2024 and 30 September 2025. The travel pass can be used in their residency country only for one outbound and one inbound travel.

Travel passes for the selected applicants will be booked, purchased and delivered by the contractor designated by the European Commission and EACEA. Selected applicants should not, under any circumstances, book passes by themselves or via a travel agency. Passes purchased directly by the selected applicants shall not be reimbursed. 

The contractor designated by the European Commission and EACEA will contact the selected applicants and give them access to a mobile application, the DiscoverEU Travel App. This app will provide access to support and will give suggestions for participants to design their itineraries and prepare their travel. In the mobile application, a digital discount card (European Youth Card) will be available to all the participants.

Selected applicants can choose when to activate the European Youth Card in the app (according to when they travel) and the card is then valid for 1 year from that moment.

This card will give access to a range of discounts and benefits all over the Erasmus+ programme countries. Discount cards purchased directly by selected participants shall not be reimbursed. 

Maximum value of the travel tickets

The selected applicants shall only receive the travel passes and the European Youth Card. Accommodation, subsistence, insurance, travel supplements or any other expenses related to the travel shall be covered by the selected applicants themselves.

The basic rule is that each selected participant will be entitled to a travel pass worth EUR 273.35. Travel will only be in 2nd or economy class. However, this amount can be higher in the specific cases below:

• For selected applicants travelling from the EU's outermost regions and the Overseas Countries and Territories to mainland Europe. Once on the European mainland, the basic rule applies.
• For selected applicants outside the above-mentioned geographical zones who have to travel by plane to mainland Europe. Once on the European mainland, the basic rule applies.
• In some specific situations to be assessed on a case-by-case basis (e.g. for selected applicants residing in other islands part of the Erasmus+ Programme countries) an extra journey by train/ferry/coach, might be covered.

For selected applicants with reduced mobility and/or special needs: costs of special assistance (accompanying person, dog for visually impaired selected applicants etc.) might be covered, based on the appropriate documents for justifying their special needs, as required under the national law of the residence country.