40,000 passes

Interrail, click day for 18-year-olds only. Here are the requirements and how to do it

Applications are open from 8 to 22 April 2026 (opening and closing at 12:00 noon, Brussels time)

by Rome Editorial Staff

8 April 2026

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

What is DiscoverEU?
How does it work?
Can you travel with friends?
DiscoveryEU Ambassadors

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The European Union is reopening the selections for DiscoverEU, the programme offering 18-year-olds the chance to discover Europe by train by travelling for free. Applications are open from 8 to 22 April 2026 (opening and closing at 12 noon, Brussels time), just before the European Youth Week 2026. Up for grabs are 40,000 passes for as many 18-year-olds. To fill in the application, go to youth.europa.eu/discovereu_it

What is DiscoverEU?

DiscoverEU is an action of the Erasmus+ programme that gives the opportunity to travel and explore the diversity of Europe, to learn about its cultural heritage and history and to get in touch with people from all over the continent.

You will receive a pass to travel by the most environmentally friendly means of transport, such as trains. Other modes of transport will be allowed in specific cases, for people living on islands or in remote areas.

You will also receive a DiscoverEU discount card entitling you to numerous reductions on accommodation, culture, sports, local transport or other services.

How does it work?

In order to participate, one must:

be born between 1 July 2007 (inclusive) and 30 June 2008 (inclusive);

enter your ID card, passport or residence permit number in the online application form;

be a citizen or resident in:

one of the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions, or;

one of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) associated with the European Union, or;

one of the third countries associated to the Erasmus+ programme: Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Turkey.

Accept the honour declaration on the application form.

Finally, you have to take a quiz (unless you decide to participate as a group).

If you are selected, you will be able to travel for a maximum of seven days within a month in the travel period between 1 July 2026 and 30 September 2027.

If you have a disability or a health problem that makes travelling difficult, you can receive assistance and support.

Can you travel with friends?

Yes, of course! You can travel alone or in a group with up to 4 friends, provided they meet the eligibility conditions. They must also use your application code to apply.

You can even combine your own travel plans with those of other DiscoverEU travellers! The DiscoverEU Facebook group can be a good channel to do this if you consent to the use of this social media platform*.

After you have been selected, the Erasmus+ National Agencies will help you find contacts and learn new things, also organising meetings and get-togethers between participants before departure.

DiscoverEU Ambassadors

Participating persons automatically become DiscoverEU ambassadors. As a DiscoverEU ambassador or ambassador you are invited to share your travel experiences on social media using the hashtag #DiscoverEU. You can also decide to make a presentation in your school or local community.