Free interrail trips for young people in Europe

The European Parliament’s initiative enables 18-year-olds to travel across Europe and learn about other cultures.

The initiative of the European Parliament ‘DiscoverEU’ began last year and aims to give the opportunity to thousands of young Europeans with 18 years of experiencing Europe with their own eyes. Those selected will be able to spend a month travelling and discovering Europe, taking advantage of freedom of movement in the European Union, so that they can discover the diversity and cultural richness of the different regions and contact people from all over the continent.

By 2018, almost 30,000 young people could discover 31 countries and pay nothing to do so.

One month from the next round of applications for interrail travel passes – the deadline starts on May 2 – we remember everything needed to be well prepared.

Who can participate?

This year’s candidates must have been born between 2 July 2000 (inclusive) and 1 July 2001 (inclusive), be nationals of one of the Member States of the European Union at the time of the decision to award travel passes and indicate the citizen’s card number or the passport in the online application form.

How can they do it?

Those interested in participating can register through the European Youth Portal where they will have to register.

Applications must be submitted through the European Youth Portal between 12 noon on 2 May 2018 and 12 noon on 16 May 2018 (Central European Time).

How is the selection made?

After completing the part of the personal data form, they will have to answer a series of five multiple-choice questions on the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018, European youth initiatives and elections to the European Parliament. Finally, they will have to answer a tie-breaker question. Candidates will be selected based on the available budget and ranked according to the answers given.

If selected they must communicate their travel plans.

How and when will the trip be?

The young people selected will be able to travel for a minimum of one day and a maximum of 30 days, which will take place between August 1, 2019, and January 31, 2020.

You will be able to travel alone or in groups of five at the most (all 18 years old) or you can get in touch with other participants and join them to take part or the whole trip.

As a general rule, the route will be by train, but “in order to ensure wide access throughout the continent, participants may also use alternative modes of transport, such as bus, ferry or, exceptionally, aeroplane if necessary. This way, young people living on islands or remote areas that are part of the EU will also be able to participate, “they explain.

Who got a pass last year, can you go again?

No. However, whoever has applied but has not been selected in the June application phase and is still 18 years old on July 1, 2001, you can participate in this phase.

It is also clear that if you have a disability or a health problem that makes your trip a challenge, you only have to contact the program because there are special conditions that allow the trip.

Participants are invited to share their travel experiences through social networks in order to inspire future applicants.