European Commission opens DiscoverEU applications for 41,000 free travel tickets

The European Commission is launching the autumn 2026 application round for DiscoverEU, an initiative under the Erasmus+ program. Approximately 41,000 free travel tickets will be awarded to 18-year-olds to explore Europe, primarily via train.

Applications are open from October 1 to October 15, 2026. To be eligible, applicants must have been born between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2008. Participants must be citizens or residents of EU member states, their outermost regions, or associated countries including North Macedonia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey.

The selection process requires applicants to complete an online form and a quiz regarding the European Union and its initiatives. Successful participants can travel for up to 7 days within a month between March 1, 2027, and May 31, 2028. Since 2018, nearly 473,000 young people have benefited from this program.