Spain launches Verano Joven 2026 travel discount program for youth

The Spanish Council of Ministers has approved a new edition of the Verano Joven programme for summer 2026, allocating €130 million to offer substantial travel discounts to young people. Eligible participants are residents aged 18‑30 who were born between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2008. The scheme runs from 1 July to 30 September 2026 and requires registration on a Ministry‑run website, after which a personal, non‑transferable code is issued for booking discounted tickets.

Discounts include up to 90 % off state‑run bus services and medium‑distance conventional rail, 50 % off Avant trains, 50 % (capped at €30 per ticket) on long‑distance and high‑speed rail across all operators, and 50 % on the Global Flexible Interrail 10‑day pass. The programme aims to boost public‑transport use, encourage tourism, and reduce car reliance during the holiday period. Misuse of the code can lead to loss of the discount and a ban from re‑registration.

Previous editions have attracted four million participants and generated 16 million subsidised journeys, making Verano Joven one of the most popular youth mobility aids in Spain.