European Commission Commemorates 40th Schengen Anniversary with 40,000 DiscoverEU Travel Passes

The European Commission has initiated a significant new phase of the DiscoverEU program, offering 40,000 young individuals the chance to explore the continent through complimentary rail passes. This substantial allocation is timed to coincide precisely with the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Schengen Agreement. Signed four decades ago, this foundational treaty established the principle of free movement for citizens across Europe, fundamentally reshaping the continent's political and social landscape. By providing these passes, the Commission aims to connect the current generation directly with the historical achievement of borderless travel.

Glenn Micallef, the Commissioner for Intergenerational Relations, Youth, Culture, and Sport, emphasized that this campaign serves as a direct celebration of the freedom secured by Schengen. He stated that it provides young people with a tangible opportunity to personally experience the rich diversity and unity inherent in a borderless Europe. The window for submitting applications for this competition is open from October 30 to November 13, 2025, with the deadline set precisely at 12:00 Central European Time (CET).

Eligibility for securing a travel pass is strictly limited to individuals born between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2007, inclusive. Applicants must also hold residency in either an EU Member State or one of the countries associated with the Erasmus+ program. These associated nations, which benefit from the program, include Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey. Participants are typically selected based on their performance in a quiz concerning the European Union, which is hosted on the official European Youth Portal.

Successful applicants will receive a travel document permitting them to journey across Europe for a duration ranging from one to thirty days. The authorized travel period for these trips spans from March 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027. Winners automatically gain the status of DiscoverEU Ambassadors and are issued a specialized discount card. This card grants benefits and concessions on cultural events, sports facilities, local transportation, accommodation, and dining across the 36 participating countries.

The DiscoverEU initiative, which was first launched in 2018 and subsequently formally integrated into the larger Erasmus+ program for the 2021–2027 period, has proven highly successful, having already distributed more than 355,000 travel passes to date. The original Schengen Agreement, signed by just five states in 1985, remains a powerful symbol of the dismantling of internal borders and the commitment to European integration. The Commission's ongoing efforts through DiscoverEU are designed to reinforce this core principle by actively encouraging young Europeans to immerse themselves fully in the continent's diverse cultural heritage and shared values.

Crucially, recognizing the importance of inclusivity, special provisions and additional support are available for participants with disabilities, ensuring equitable access to this transformative travel program. This latest round of DiscoverEU passes underscores the European Union's commitment to youth mobility and cross-cultural understanding. By linking the opportunity directly to the milestone anniversary of the Schengen zone, the Commission is not only facilitating travel but also educating a new cohort on the historical processes that underpin modern European cooperation, fostering a robust sense of shared European identity among its youngest citizens.