The DiscoverEU 2025 program offers a unique opportunity for 18-year-olds: a free pass to travel in Europe. Funded under the Erasmus+ program, it allows participants to explore the continent and benefit from discounts on cultural activities and services. Find out in this complete guide what it is, how it works, who can participate and how to apply.
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What is DiscoverEU?
DiscoverEU is an initiative of the Erasmus+ 2021-2027 program designed to promote European identity among 18-year-olds, offering them the opportunity to discover the cultural diversity of the continent and to get in touch with people from other countries.
Every year, more than 35,000 young people are selected to receive a travel pass that allows them to explore Europe for up to 30 days
.
The program covers travel between March 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026, offering not only a free travel pass, but also a discount card valid for reductions on cultural activities, local transport, accommodation, meals and more.
Who Can Participate in DiscoverEU 2025?
To participate in DiscoverEU 2025, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 years old on January 1, 2025.
- Be citizens or legal residents in one of the 27 member states of the European Union or in third countries associated with Erasmus+ (Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Turkey).
- Alternatively, be citizens of an EU member state and resident in overseas territories such as Aruba, French Polynesia, Greenland, and others.
Participants must depart from one of the eligible countries, travel for a minimum of one day and a maximum of 30 days, and visit at least one eligible foreign country. In addition, you are required to become DiscoverEU ambassadors, sharing your experience on social media
.
What Does DiscoverEU 2025 Offer?
DiscoverEU 2025 offers selected young people:
- A free pass for traveling around Europe, mainly by train (with some exceptions for islands or remote areas).
- A discount card that guarantees reductions on cultural activities, sports, accommodation, local transport and meals.
The project is not limited only to the exploration of the continent, but aims to promote autonomy, self-confidence and a sense of belonging to the European Union.
How Does DiscoverEU 2025 Work?
The assignment of travel passes and discount cards is based on the share of the population of each country compared to the total population of the EU and associated countries. Participants can apply individually or in groups of up to 5 people. In the case of a group, one of the members must act as group leader and share the registration code with the other participants
.
The group may consist of people of different nationalities, as long as all members meet the participation requirements. In addition, participants can coordinate their trips and meet with other DiscoverEU young people through dedicated social groups
.
How to Apply for DiscoverEU 2025?
To apply to the DiscoverEU 2025 program, participants must follow these steps:
- Check eligibility requirements: age, citizenship, and residency.
- Accept the conditions of the competition and authorize the processing of personal data.
- Decide whether to participate alone or in a group (maximum 5 people).
- Please provide a valid email address.
- Fill out the application form, answering a quiz about the European Union (only the parent company answers the quiz for group applications).
- Provide general details about the travel project (with no impact on the selection).
- Wait for the result of the selection.
Each participant can submit only one application, and those who have already won a DiscoverEU pass in previous editions cannot participate again.
When to Apply?
Applications for DiscoverEU 2025 open from October 2, 2024 at 12:00 until October 16, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. Participants must correctly enter their identification document or passport number, which is necessary to complete the registration.
Results and Selection
The results of the selection are published within three months from the closing of the applications. Selected participants will be notified via email, while unselected candidates will be placed on a reserve list. Those selected will receive instructions on how to proceed to obtain the travel pass and will be able to follow the status of their application through the European Youth Portal
.
Duration of the Program
The trip with DiscoverEU can last from a minimum of one day to a maximum of 30 days, to be carried out within the period scheduled between March 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026.
DiscoverEU 2025 offers an extraordinary opportunity for young Europeans to explore the continent for free, promoting European identity and cultural discovery. The program encourages autonomy and connection between young people from different countries. If you are 18 years old and dream of traveling in Europe, now is the time to apply!
