Almost half a million 18-year-olds have already done so – now another 40,000 young people will have the chance to travel for free in Europe.
Young people born between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2008 can now apply for this year's edition of the European Commission's Discover EU programme. The scheme has been running since 2018 and has given a total of 431,931 young Europeans the chance to travel for free in Europe, mainly by train, for up to a month.
”"For many, this is the first opportunity to travel on their own and connect with people from all over Europe," writes Youth Commissioner Glenn Micallef in a press release.
To be selected, you must first answer six questions, no later than April 22. This year's winner can then start traveling from July 1.
Source: Aftonbladet-TT.se
DiscoverEU – call for applications
Application period ends: 22/04/2026 12:00 (Swedish time)
Are you 18 years old and living in an EU country or a country participating in Erasmus+? Get ready to discover Europe!
When can I apply next time?
The next application round is the April 8–22, 2026 (application opens and closes at 12 noon Swedish time), just before European Youth Week 2026 starts. When the application opens, the button "”Search now” up on this page.
What is DiscoverEU?
DiscoverEU is an initiative within the Erasmus programme that gives you the opportunity to travel around and discover Europe's diversity, learn about its cultural heritage and history, and meet new friends from across the continent.
You will receive a travel card to travel by the most environmentally friendly mode of transport, which is usually train. If you live on an island or in remote areas, you may also be allowed to travel by plane or boat.
You will also receive a DiscoverEU discount card that gives you discounts on museums, courses, sports activities, public transport, accommodation and food, among other things.
How does it work?
To be able to compete for a travel card you must:
- to be born between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008
- fill in the number of your ID card, passport or residence permit card in the online application form
- be a citizen or resident of
- EU countries, including the outermost regions, or
- overseas countries and territories associated with the EU, or
- a country associated with the Erasmus+ programme, i.e. Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia or Turkey
- Check the box in the application to indicate that you agree to all terms and conditions.
* Read more in the rules under point 2. Who can apply?
Additionally, you must take a quiz (unless you are applying as a group member).
If you receive a travel card, you can travel for up to seven days during a one-month period between July 1, 2026 and September 30, 2027.
Do you have a disability or health problem that makes it difficult to travel? Then you can get extra help and support. Read the answer to question C.10 in our frequently asked questions if you want to know more.
Can I travel with friends?
Yes! You can travel alone or with friends. You can have a maximum of four friends in your group provided they meet the conditions above. They should use your application code when filling out the application. Read the answers to questions B.5–B.11 in our frequently asked questions if you want to know more.
You can also coordinate your travel plans with other DiscoverEU travelers. If you use Facebook, you can join DiscoverEU Facebook group*. Join the group now to contact other participants.
If you are selected, you will receive help to prepare your trip and make contacts. For example, the National Programme Agencies will organise pre-trip meetings and meet-ups with other travellers.
* Your personal data will then be processed in accordance with specific terms and conditions for the protection of personal data and Facebook's privacy policy, and Facebook is a separate data controller.
Share your experiences
All participants are automatically ambassadors for DiscoverEU. We therefore ask you to share your experiences on social media. Tag your posts with #DiscoverEU. You can also give a presentation at your school or in your hometown.
