60,000 Europeans aged 18-20 to receive free travel rail pass

The European Commission has announced that it will provide 60,000 Europeans aged 18-20 years with a free travel rail pass

The free travel rail pass scheme, announced today (11th October), is part of the Commissions DiscoverEU initiative and applications open on the 12th October at noon.

Those who are successful in obtaining a travel rail pass will be able to use it between March 2022 and February 2023 for up to 30 days – with flexibility through a mobile travel pass due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Young people with special needs

Successful applicants can travel alone or in a group of up to five people. The Commission has strongly encouraged young people with special needs to participate as the costs of special assistance, such as an accompanying person or assistance dog, will be covered.

Vice-President for the European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas said: “Over the past 18 months, in a true spirit of solidarity, our young people have sacrificed valuable youthful and defining moments of their lives. I am delighted that the Commission offers today a European boom of mobility with the 60,000 train passes. This European boom of mobility and opportunities will be further fostered by Erasmus+ and many more initiatives coming for the European Year of Youth in 2022.”

Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, said: “I am very glad to open this new round of DiscoverEU to give 60,000 young people the chance to discover the richness of our continent. In the spirit of the Commission designating 2022 the European Year of Youth, DiscoverEU is back, bigger than ever, with new opportunities for young people to take a train, broaden their horizons, extend their learning, enrich their experiences and meet fellow Europeans while travelling by rail as of March 2022.”

Applications close on the 26th October, noon.