The deadline is fast approaching to apply for a free month-long rail pass for Europe, as part of an Erasmus+ programme aimed at 18-year-old Europeans and giving them the chance to experience the freedom of border-free travel under the Schengen Agreement.
Up to 40,000 DiscoverEU passes are currently up for grabs to anyone born between 1 January 2007 (included) and 31 December 2007 (included) and who is a citizen or resident of an EU Member State or the Erasmus+ countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Türkiye). Applications take place online, followed by a short quiz.
Successful participants automatically become DiscoverEU Ambassadors, winning the opportunity “to travel and explore Europe’s diversity, learn about its cultural heritage and history, and connect with people from all over the continent,” the call for applications says.
They will be offered a travel pass valid for trips of a minimum of one day and up to 30 days during a calendar window which is planned to start on 1 March 2026 and end in May 2027. The rules state that eligible journeys are those made with “the most environmentally friendly means of transport, like trains.” Other transport modes will be permitted in specific cases, for people living on islands or in remote areas, the rules say. Those who have a disability or a health problem that makes travel challenging will receive assistance and support.
The ambassadors will also receive a DiscoverEU discount card “for a wealth of discounts on accommodation, culture, sports, local transport, or other services.” They are invited to share their experiences on social media using #DiscoverEU, and even give a presentation at their school or in their local community about their travels.
This is your gentle reminder to send this post to any 18-year-old you know. 🤭
— European Youth ❤️🇪🇺 (@EuropeanYouthEU) November 5, 2025
This time, #DiscoverEU is not only celebrating youth, Europe, growth, and connections. It is also celebrating the 40 years of the Schengen area!
➡️ https://t.co/2LCkL9c7sa#Schengen40 pic.twitter.com/NhSN6UIwWt
The programme is open to both solo and group applicants, with the possibility to add up to four friends to the online application (as long as they too meet the eligibility rules). And a Facebook Group allows those who want to chat and perhaps the chance to combine travel plans with other DiscoverEU Ambassadors. Erasmus+ National Agencies will help successful applicants “connect and learn, with the organisation of pre-departure meetings and travellers Meet-ups,” the website promises.
Factsheets are available, providing tips on staying safe and organised, insights into others’ experiences, and offering inspiration in the form of themed routes and itineraries. The Green Route, for example, takes in an array of European cities which have won awards for sustainability, while the New European Bauhaus (NEB) includes “forward-thinking” “Hero Cities” representing the “vision of a beautiful, sustainable and inclusive future.”
Applications for the current round of DiscoverEU passes close on 13 November 2025 at midday Central European Time.
