Schengen: 40,000 Young People Benefit from Free Travel in Europe
The European Commission has announced the allocation of over 40,000 free travel passes to young people aged 18, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Area, a significant symbol of free movement in Europe.
TRAVELING ACROSS EUROPE THANKS TO THE DISCOVEREU PROGRAM
Recipients will be able to travel by train throughout Europe as part of the “DiscoverEU” program, which is dedicated to youth mobility. In addition to the train pass, participants will receive a discount card that offers benefits for cultural activities, accommodation, local transportation, dining, and various tourism services.
ENHANCED CULTURAL INITIATIVES
This edition comes with an enhanced cultural component, notably through the promotion of “DiscoverEU Culture Routes.” These routes showcase Europe’s diversity through cinema, fashion, gastronomy, fine arts, and other iconic cultural expressions from the continent.
A PROGRAM INTEGRATED WITH ERASMUS+
Integrated into the Erasmus+ program, DiscoverEU aims to encourage youth mobility, environmentally friendly travel, cultural exchanges, and a sense of European belonging. This edition carries special symbolic significance as it marks 40 years of free movement since the signing of the Schengen Agreement.
MOBILITY: A CORNERSTONE OF EUROPEAN IDENTITY
“DiscoverEU offers thousands of young Europeans the chance to explore our continent and experience free movement firsthand,” stated Glenn Micallef, the European Commissioner for Intergenerational Equity, Youth, Culture, and Sport. He emphasized that “this special edition for the 40th anniversary of Schengen serves as a reminder that mobility is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of our shared European identity.”
A PROGRAM IN CONSTANT EXPANSION
Since its launch in 2018, the DiscoverEU program has awarded 431,931 travel passes to European youth aged over 18, confirming its success and its central role in promoting mobility within Europe.
