DiscoverEU Program: Free Interrail Passes for Young EU Citizens

“When traveling in the European Union, which number do you have to dial to call the fire brigade, police or ambulance service?” This type of knowledge is part of the quiz applicants must answer to obtain one of the 60,000 free rail passes offered to young European Union (EU) citizens.

In February, the EU announced the relaunch of its DiscoverEU program for 2021, granting thousands of free Interrail passes to teenagers throughout the continent. More individuals than ever will have a chance to receive a free pass—thus, the time to explore eligibility is now.

Typically, the initiative targets 18-year-olds; however, eligibility requirements have expanded due to the pandemic halting proceedings in 2020. This year, applicants must provide an ID or passport number and be EU Member State nationals—including UK citizens for the final time due to Brexit—born between July 2001 and December 2003. They must also complete a multiple-choice quiz on EU-related questions, such as: “Natura 2000 is the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world. How much does it cover of the EU’s land area?” Although the answers may not come to mind instantly, the EU offers helpful links to assistance in finding answers.

Winners are selected based on nationality, which is determined by each country’s population relative to the overall population of the European Union. At least 60,000 passes are available, but competition is high, as more than 347,000 people applied between 2018 and 2019. Both solo travelers and groups are welcomed to participate, with the condition that all trips include at least one Member State besides the applicants’ own and are completed between March 2022 and February 2023.

The passes are valid for up to 30 days, offering choices for both fixed and flexible travel. For those wanting to explore various countries, the flexible option permits travelers to adjust plans on the go, any time before their travel day begins. Conversely, for in-depth exploration of one or two countries, the fixed option is advantageous, though it comes with a budget limit of €258 per itinerary.

The application window is open until October 26, 2021, at 12:00 CEST. For more details and application procedures, visit the European Youth Portal.