The DiscoverEU scheme, part of the Erasmus+ programme, allows 18-year-old residents of EU member states and Erasmus+ associated countries to travel across the continent. The scheme's primary goal is to increase young people's awareness of Europe's diversity, teach them about its history and heritage, and help them connect with peers from all over Europe.

In the most recent application round in April this year, over 180,000 young people applied for the free travel pass. Those selected will be able to travel alone or in groups of up to five between July 1, 2024, and September 2025. Besides the travel passes, the chosen participants will also receive a European Youth Card, which provides discounts on local transportation, cultural visits, accommodation, sports, learning activities, and food.

To qualify for the DiscoverEU scheme, applicants must be 18 years old and provide accurate information on their applications. Additionally, they must be legal citizens of an EU member state or one of the Erasmus+ associated third countries, which include Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Türkiye.

There are two application rounds for the DiscoverEU scheme each year: one in spring and one in autumn. Thus, the next round will be held after summer ends. Launched in 2018, the scheme has seen around 1.4 million young people apply for the passes. Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, Iliana Ivanova, remarked on the high interest among young people, noting that this latest round of applications was the most successful since 2021.

A high number of applications are also anticipated for the next round. The official dates for the next round will be announced in due course.