4. DiscoverEU, youth exchanges and volunteering

DiscoverEU – a free travel pass at 18

• For whom: in the round open now, young people born between 1 January and 31 December 2008, living in an EU country or in Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia or Türkiye.
• When to apply: two rounds a year, in spring and in autumn. The current round runs from 1 to 15 October 2026 (until 12:00 Brussels time).
• What you get: a travel pass, mostly for trains, and a discount card for accommodation, culture, sport and local transport.
• How long: up to 7 travel days within a period of up to one month, between 1 March 2027 and 31 May 2028.
• With friends: alone or in a group of up to 5 (you plus 4 friends). The application includes a short quiz.
• From 2027 the United Kingdom also takes part in DiscoverEU.

DiscoverEU – apply on the European Youth Portal »

Youth exchanges

• For young people aged 13 to 30; group leaders must be at least 18.
• Last 5 to 21 days (not counting travel): groups from different countries meet for workshops, debates, role plays and outdoor activities.
• Travel and the cost of activities are covered. What you learn is recorded in a Youthpass certificate.
• You don't apply alone: exchanges are organised by youth organisations, which get the funding from the Erasmus+ national agency. Ask a local youth organisation or check your national agency's website. Erasmus+ national agencies

Volunteering – European Solidarity Corps

• For people aged 18 to 30.
• Individual volunteering: 2 weeks to 12 months, full time (30–38 hours a week). Team volunteering: 2 weeks to 2 months, at least 5 volunteers from 2 or more countries.
• Covered: travel, accommodation, food, insurance and pocket money.
• The European Solidarity Corps replaced the European Voluntary Service in 2018. In the next programme (2028–2034) it is to become part of Erasmus+.

Find a volunteering project »

Sources: European Youth Portal – DiscoverEU · European Commission – Youth exchanges · European Youth Portal – European Solidarity Corps. Checked: 1 October 2026.