EU Organizes Complimentary Travel Adventures for 36,000 Youth Across Europe - Europe dispatches 36,000 youth on funded excursions across Europe
The European Union Commission has announced that it will provide 36,000 young individuals with an opportunity to explore Europe by train for a month, between July and September this year. This initiative, known as the "DiscoverEU" program, is aimed at young people, with those aged 18 and above eligible to apply as of April. The program extends to citizens of EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey.
Applications for this free European trip peak in Germany, with the highest number of submissions followed by Spain and Poland. A total of 6,100 German youth are expected to benefit from this offer, as revealed by the Brussels authority. Notably, the "DiscoverEU" program has been operational since 2018, with approximately 391,000 young people receiving tickets thus far. Extra benefits to participants include discounts on accommodations and cultural attractions.
Since its inception in 2018, the DiscoverEU program has facilitated travel for nearly 391,000 young people through eleven application rounds, according to the European Commission's fact sheets. Over 1.6 million young individuals have applied for these travel passes. In Germany, particular interest is demonstrated: out of 21,414 applicants in the April 2025 round, only 3,501 were selected. However, due to the ongoing nature of the program, the cumulative total of German participants since its inception is yet to be ascertained. Nonetheless, the high number of selections in a single round suggests that the multi-year total is likely to be significantly higher.
- The Community policy for the DiscoverEU program, for instance, encourages a lifestyle of exploration and cultural exchange, promoting the idea of traveling for educational and personal growth within European Union member states.
- The employment policy could potentially benefit from the DiscoverEU program, as young participants gain valuable work experience and skills during their travels, which may improve their employment prospects.
