Ukrainian Youth to Travel the European Union Under the DiscoverEU Programme

On 25 June, the European Commission announced the expansion of the Erasmus+ DiscoverEU programme to Ukraine. From 2027, young people who have turned 18 will be able to take part in the programme.

The DiscoverEU programme offers 18-year-olds the opportunity to receive a free rail pass for travelling across Europe. Each year, 1,200 Ukrainians will be able to participate. Selection rounds will take place twice a year — in spring and autumn.

The expansion of the programme to Ukraine became possible, in part, thanks to an official appeal by Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction and Minister for Communities and Territories Development, Oleksii Kuleba, to European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and the relevant Directorate-General of the European Commission, as well as subsequent work at the level of deputy ministers and heads of relevant departments within the Ministry.

“European integration is not only about negotiating chapters and harmonising legislation. It is also about new opportunities for Ukrainians. We are working to ensure that Ukrainian youth become part of the European educational, cultural, and social space today. The expansion of DiscoverEU to Ukraine is an investment in the generation that will rebuild and develop our country after victory,” said Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction Oleksii Kuleba.

First Deputy Minister Aliona Shkrum stressed that the decision to extend the programme to Ukraine was the result of joint efforts by the Ministry and European partners.

“We are grateful to the European Commission and personally to Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef for their support of this decision. For Ukrainian youth, this is far more than an opportunity to travel. It is a chance to see Europe with their own eyes, discover other cultures, gain new experiences, and build new connections. It is precisely such opportunities that shape the next generation of Ukrainians as an integral part of the European community,” said Aliona Shkrum.

To participate in the programme, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria of the relevant selection round based on their year of birth and place of permanent residence, and complete an application form on the official DiscoverEU website.

The selection procedure is the same for all participating countries. Ukrainians holding permanent residency in European Union countries were already eligible to participate, but for residents of Ukraine this opportunity is opening for the first time.

The standard terms of participation allow travel for up to one month within the year following successful selection. During this period, participants will have seven so-called travel days — that is, seven days of free rail travel. These days may be used consecutively or on separate dates throughout the travel period.

The programme also includes discounts on cultural events, museums, sporting events, accommodation, and other partner services during travels, along with recommended itineraries and dedicated events aimed at cultural and social cohesion and integration into the European community.

The first selection round for Ukrainian participants is scheduled for March 2027.

A dedicated Help Desk will also be established in Ukraine to provide information support to programme participants. Its launch is planned for January 2027.

DiscoverEU operates on the Interrail Global Pass model and covers the rail network across Interrail countries, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and others.

Source: Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine