In total, 35,500 travel passes have been made available, according to Publituris. To do this, young people born between 1 July 2005 and 30 June 2006 had to complete a questionnaire with five questions about the EU and one additional question on the European Youth Portal. Selected candidates will receive a free train pass to travel in Europe for a maximum period of 30 days between 1 July 2024 and 30 September 2025.

The call was open to candidates from the European Union and countries associated with the Erasmus + program, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey. Ticket holders can plan their own itineraries or take inspiration from existing itineraries. For example, they can discover a route launched last year, focusing on cities and places, making the European Union “beautiful, sustainable and inclusive”, in line with the principles of the New European Bauhaus.

“The DiscoverEU initiative is much more than just a ticket”, says the European Commission. Participants will also receive a discount card with more than 40,000 discount possibilities on public transport, culture, accommodation, food, sports, and other services in eligible countries. Furthermore, Erasmus+ national agencies organise pre-departure information meetings and national agencies of all Erasmus+ countries prepare DiscoverEU meetings, with learning programs lasting one to three days.

While the DiscoverEU initiative encourages sustainable travel by rail, special provisions are available for young people in outermost regions, overseas counties and territories, remote areas, and islands.