DiscoverEU is aimed at young people who plan a free train journey through Europe in the year they turn 18. Participation runs through an application round with a quiz and a selection by country. Anyone who knows the conditions can quickly see whether applying is worthwhile and when the next step is due.
Short answer: Applicants must turn 18 in the calendar year. For the 2026 round the birth year was 2008. The 2026 round took applications from 1 to 15 October 2026 through the European Youth Portal. Results are announced for January 2027, and the travel period runs from 1 March 2027 to 31 May 2028. Status per the EU rules: November 2026.
The key points at a glance
- For the 2026 round the birth year 2008 applied, meaning birth between 1 January and 31 December 2008.
- The 2026 application round closed on 15 October 2026 at 12:00 Brussels time.
- Selection uses five multiple-choice questions on general EU knowledge and an estimation question as a tie-breaker.
- The travel period runs from 1 March 2027 to 31 May 2028, and the travel pass is valid for one month.
- The rules do not state whether or when a next round will take place. The announcement of the youth portal is decisive.
Who may apply?
The EU rules first set an age. For the 2026 round applicants had to be born between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2008. In addition, they need citizenship or residence in an EU member state, in an outermost region, in an associated overseas country or territory, or in a third country associated with Erasmus+. The rules name Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Türkiye.
The application form requires the number of your identity card, passport or residence permit. Without this information participation is not possible. Check before registering that the document is valid and the number is correct.
How is the selection made?
Selection takes place through a quiz. It contains five multiple-choice questions on general knowledge about the EU and an estimation question that decides ties. The ranking follows the quiz score first and then how close the estimate is to the correct answer. Places are allocated according to country quotas that depend on residence.
| Rule | Content according to the rules |
|---|---|
| Quiz | five multiple-choice questions on general EU knowledge plus an estimation question |
| Ranking | first quiz score, then closeness of the estimate to the correct answer |
| Allocation | by country quotas, depending on residence |
| Ties | first come, first served |
| Groups | up to five people, only the group leader answers the quiz |
| Reserve list | qualified applicants who were not selected can be placed on it |
For the future, anyone waiting for a next round should follow the announcements of the European Youth Portal. The application period of the 2026 round has ended, and the rules do not mention an extension. Plan with the official date rather than hoping for a later window.
Group applications with up to five people are possible. Only the group leader answers the quiz. Anyone applying in a group should divide responsibility for the quiz clearly, because a single person decides the answers.
Which dates apply?
The 2026 round accepted applications from 1 October 2026 at 12:00 until 15 October 2026 at 12:00, Brussels local time. Results are announced in January 2027. For selected participants, activation of the travel pass is due by 15 March 2027. The travel period starts on 1 March 2027 and ends on 31 May 2028.
| Date | According to the rules |
|---|---|
| Application period 2026 round | 1 October 2026, 12:00 to 15 October 2026, 12:00 (Brussels time) |
| Announcement of results | January 2027 |
| Activation of the travel pass | by 15 March 2027 for selected participants |
| Travel period | 1 March 2027 to 31 May 2028 |
Anyone preparing for the quiz should not rely on detailed knowledge. The rules speak of general knowledge about the EU, meaning basics such as the main institutions and the member states. The estimation question serves as a tie-breaker, where closeness to the correct answer matters rather than exact precision.
What the travel pass allows
The travel pass is valid for one month. It allows up to seven travel days by train within a maximum of 30 days. The journey must last at least one day and at most one month. You must visit at least one further country eligible for DiscoverEU.
The limit of seven travel days matters for planning. If you want to stay a week in one city, you cannot stretch the days without limit. Plan the route in advance and enter the travel days in a calendar so that you do not lose one.
What to clarify before the trip
Even with a travel pass the journey remains a separate piece of planning. Clarify early which documents you must show at borders, and check whether your identity card or passport is valid for the countries on your route. For trips with connections, look at departure times, because the pass only covers the agreed travel days.
Insurance cover is also important. Check whether your existing health insurance covers treatment abroad and whether travel insurance makes sense. On a trip across several countries it is worth looking at the benefits in detail before you set off.
Finally, keep a reserve for the unexpected. Delays, missed connections or a changed programme cost time and sometimes money. A flexible route copes better with such situations.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply more than once?
Only one application per person and round is allowed. Anyone who has already received a DiscoverEU travel pass from an earlier round is excluded. Several applications across rounds are therefore not intended.
Is there a deadline for the next round?
The rules name a period for 2026, but no next round. Whether such a round starts, when and with which deadlines, you will find on the European Youth Portal. The current rules can change from round to round.
Do I have to pay anything?
The rules present the travel pass as a benefit for selected participants. Accommodation, meals and additional tickets are not named in the rules and must therefore be planned separately.
What happens if I am not selected?
If you were qualified, a place on the reserve list remains possible. Anyone neither selected nor on the reserve list can apply again in a future round if they meet the conditions.
How to prepare
- Check the conditions: Verify birth year, residence and citizenship against the rules.
- Have the document ready: Keep your identity card, passport or residence permit and its number at hand.
- Prepare the quiz: Review the basics of the EU, including its institutions, member states and capitals.
- Note the dates: Write down the end of the application period, the results in January 2027 and the activation deadline.
- Plan the trip: Check the route, the travel days and at least one additional country before you book after a positive decision.
Related guides
- Study places: free places and waiting list procedures explained (in German), the hub of this topic group.
- Studying or training after the Abitur: a decision guide.
- Application checklist for studying: documents, deadlines and dates.
- Abitur geschafft: Geld und Versicherung vor dem Studium (in German).
- Timeline Abitur to 30: child benefit, health insurance and BAföG (in German).
Sources: European Youth Portal, “DiscoverEU: Rules” (page as retrieved, German version).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
