Key Points:
- 40,000 free train passes offered the largest DiscoverEU rollout to date
- Celebrates 40 years of the Schengen Agreement and European mobility
- Applications close November 13, 2025, at noon (Brussels time)
- Eligible for 18-year-olds born between January 1–December 31, 2025
- Travel valid March 1, 2026–May 31, 2027 across 27 EU member states and partner nations
Brussels: DiscoverEU transcends conventional tourism initiatives; it’s a strategic soft power tool reaffirming European unity amid rising anti-EU sentiment and political fragmentation. Launched in 2018, the program has already enabled over 500,000 young Europeans to traverse the continent, fostering intercultural dialogue and strengthening pan-European identity.
The 1985 Schengen Agreement eliminated internal border controls, fundamentally reshaping European citizenship. Today’s campaign signals that Europe’s strength lies in seamless connectivity, not walls. By targeting Gen Z, the European Commission directly engages the demographic most critical of EU institutions, offering tangible proof of the bloc’s commitment to youth empowerment and cross-cultural exchange.
Campaign Goes Viral: Striking a Chord With Gen Z
Launched on October 30, the campaign’s striking visual identity featuring bright blue trains against the EU flag resonated instantly with younger audiences. The imagery symbolizes freedom, movement, and European integration. Within days, applications flooded in, demonstrating substantial demand among young Europeans eager to explore the continent.
Social media amplification through hashtags like #DiscoverEU has been instrumental, with previous participants sharing transformative journeys spanning Berlin’s street art scene to Prague’s medieval heritage districts. These narratives shift the conversation from bureaucratic policies to lived experiences of discovery and belonging.
Eligibility and Application Process
Applicants must meet three criteria: be turning 18 between January 1 and December 31, 2025; reside in any of the 27 EU member states or Erasmus+ associated nations (Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Türkiye); and complete the online application by November 13 at noon (Brussels time).
The application workflow is straightforward. Candidates verify ID or passport details through an online portal and answer a six-question knowledge quiz covering EU history, culture, and sustainability initiatives. This requirement educates participants on European values while filtering committed applicants.
Uniquely, winners can travel solo or form travel groups of up to four friends using a shared group code, enabling peer-based exploration while maintaining individual autonomy.
What Winners Receive: Travel Details and Perks
Selected participants receive a digital travel pass granting 1–30 days of unlimited train travel across Europe. The validity window spans March 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027, providing flexibility for academic calendars and summer schedules.
For applicants from remote areas or island communities, coverage extends beyond trains to include buses, ferries, and flights—ensuring equitable access across geographical Europe. The DiscoverEU discount card supplements the pass, offering reduced rates on hostels, museums, bike rentals, and local cuisine, thereby extending purchasing power across the journey.
Accessibility remains a priority. Travellers with disabilities receive dedicated support services, ensuring inclusive participation regardless of mobility constraints.
Historical Context: From 500,000 Beneficiaries to Systemic Impact
Since its inception under the Erasmus+ umbrella in 2018, DiscoverEU has transformed over 500,000 young lives. Participant testimonials reveal profound impacts. One 2024 traveller described the experience as “a reset,” suggesting psychological and developmental significance beyond standard tourism.
The program has cultivated measurable outcomes: enhanced intercultural competency, increased confidence in navigating unfamiliar environments, and reinforced European identity. By systematizing youth mobility, the EU effectively invests in long-term political cohesion through shared experiences and mutual understanding.
The Broader Strategic Message
This campaign represents strategic timing. As anti-EU movements gain momentum in multiple member states, initiatives like DiscoverEU function as countervailing forces, demonstrating tangible institutional benefits. By framing European integration through mobility, accessibility, and youth empowerment, the Commission repackages political complexity into aspirational narratives.
The Schengen Agreement’s 40-year milestone underscores both achievement and fragility. Internal border controls have been temporarily reinstated in recent years amid security and migration pressures. DiscoverEU reasserts the foundational principle: Europe’s future depends on citizens, particularly young ones, experiencing the continent as an integrated, accessible whole.
