This week, the European Commission officially opened a new DiscoverEU 2026 application round, one of the most exciting opportunities under the Erasmus+ programme.
A total of 40,000 free travel passes are now available for 18-year-olds living in EU countries and Erasmus+ associated countries.
The initiative allows young people to travel across Europe mainly by train, promoting sustainable mobility, cultural exchange, and European identity.
Applications opened on 8 April 2026 and remain open until 22 April 2026 at 12:00 CET.
What is DiscoverEU?
DiscoverEU is part of the wider Erasmus+ programme and gives young people the chance to:
- Travel across Europe
- Discover different cultures
- Improve language skills
- Connect with other young Europeans
- Gain international experience
Successful applicants can travel for up to 7 travel days within one month between 1 July 2026 and 30 September 2027.
This is particularly relevant for educational organisations, youth centres, schools, and mobility providers working with Erasmus+ projects.
Why this matters for Erasmus+ organisations
For organisations involved in:
- KA1 mobility
- Youth exchanges
- Job shadowing
- Internships
- Educational workshops
This announcement highlights the growing importance of:
- Inclusion
- Sustainable travel
- Youth engagement
- Intercultural learning
For our Erasmus Courses platform in Tenerife, this reflects the same values we promote through international workshops, digital skills courses, and mobility experiences.
Additional support for island and remote participants
An important update this year is the stronger focus on participants from:
- Islands
- Outermost regions
- Remote areas
- Disadvantaged backgrounds
This is especially relevant for territories such as Tenerife and the Canary Islands, where mobility support can play a major role in educational inclusion.
Final thoughts
This week's Erasmus+ update clearly shows that Europe continues to invest strongly in youth mobility and learning opportunities.
We will continue sharing weekly Erasmus+ news updates, funding calls, and mobility opportunities here on our blog.
