For 40,000 young Europeans, the milestone of independence now includes a free train pass to travel across Europe for up to a month. Up to 4,000 of those passes have been delivered to young people in Spain.
The programme has been running since 2018 and was designed to give young Europeans more freedom of movement, help them meet new people and discover how diverse and connected the continent really is.
This year’s edition also held special significance, as it coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Schengen area, the border-free zone that makes travel across much of Europe so easy.
Once again, interest was massive. Nearly 247,000 teenagers applied, including more than 18,000 from Spain alone, according to figures released by Brussels.
DiscoverEU offers
Winning a DiscoverEU pass isn’t just about getting on a train and heading off on a simple journey. According to Euro Weekly News, the ticket allows young travellers to travel by rail for up to 30 days, allowing them to choose their own routes and stop wherever their curiosity takes them.
In addition to travel, participants receive a European Youth Card, which unlocks discounts across 36 countries, including lower fares on public transport, reduced entry fees to museums and cultural attractions, lower accommodation rates, and savings on food, sports, and leisure activities.
Travelling in Europe can be expensive, especially for young people heading out for the first time. The discounts help stretch budgets further and make longer trips more realistic.
The programme is open to young people born between 1 January and 31 December 2007 who reside in EU member states or in states linked to the Erasmus+ programme, including Iceland, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey.
European Commissioner for Youth Glenn Micallef describes the programme as a core part of Europe’s shared identity, one that remains worth protecting and celebrating.
Spain has most of the winners
As expected, the largest European countries accounted for the majority of applications. Italy recorded more than 85,000 applications, while Germany received over 46,000.
Among successful candidates, Germany topped the list with 6,837 winners, followed by France with 5,540, Italy with 4,888, and Spain with 3,897.
Spain’s strong showing reflects how young people are eager to travel, learn languages, and experience life outside their home countries.
Since the programme launched in 2018, more than 430,000 travel passes have been awarded from almost 1.9 million applications, underscoring the initiative’s popularity.