60,000 young Europeans will receive free rail passes.

 

As part of the European Commission's DiscoverEU program, 60,950 young people will receive a free travel permit to tour European sites.

60,000 Europeans between the ages of 18 and 20 will be given free rail passes by the Commission. Following the most recent round of applications, which closed in October 2021, successful applicants will travel for up to 30 days between March 2022 and February 2023, either alone or in a group of up to five persons.

Participants will primarily travel by rail, in accordance with the Green Deal, with certain exceptions to allow individuals living on islands to participate.

Vice-President for the European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas said, “The boom of mobility for young people that represents these 60,000 travel passes offers great opportunities for young people to get pass these difficult times. 2022 starts off to a flying start. This will be the year of young Europeans”.

Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, said, “What a good way to start the European Year of Youth with the announcement of the results for DiscoverEU! We want this year to be a celebration of all young people. We will multiply opportunities for them throughout the year, for example by increasing the number of tickets for DiscoverEU in the next round that will take place in spring 2022.”

Young Europeans born between July 1, 2001, and December 31, 2003 were eligible to apply in the October round. Exceptionally, 19 and 20-year-olds who had their rounds postponed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic might apply. Because the pandemic's progression is unknown, all travelers will be able to make flexible reservations through a new mobile travel pass.

The program has financed 130,000 travel passes since June 2018. The next round of applications will be held in the spring of 2022.