European metropolis Brussels distributes train passes to 36,000 18-year-olds across the continent.
EU Commission Grants Train Travel Opportunities to Nearly 36,000 Young Adults
Over 35,000 young adults from 33 European countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey, will be able to explore Europe by train during the upcoming months. The EU Commission has awarded train tickets to 18-year-olds from these countries, with the highest number of tickets going to young adults in Germany.
The tickets provide access to trains across participating countries, with certain restrictions for islands and remote regions. Along with train travel, the tickets offer discounts for hostels, trams, and museums.
The EU Commission usually awards these tickets twice a year. In this recent round, over 150,000 young adults applied for the opportunity, according to Brussels. The next round, opening in the fall, will be available to anyone born in 2007.
The EU Commission has been focusing on the development of a youth mobility program to strengthen EU-UK relations. Although the train ticket initiative is not directly part of this program, it aims to facilitate opportunities for young people aged 18 to 30 to engage in activities like work, study, volunteering, or travel for a limited period. Details regarding a dedicated visa pathway and the application process are still pending.
For further information on train passes for European travel, interested individuals can visit the official Interrail or Eurail websites. The EU Commission is primarily focused on establishing a comprehensive youth mobility scheme that supports work, study, and travel opportunities between the EU and the UK.
[1] YOUTH mobility scheme: Q&A as UK, EU agree citizens' rights deal - BBC News (2020, March 01). Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-51704616
[2] EU-UK agreement as good as it gets, say lawyers - Politico (2020, December 24). Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-uk-agreement-as-good-as-it-gets-say-lawyers/
[3] UK and EU reach historic deal on Brexit trade - Deutsche Welle (2020, December 24). Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://www.dw.com/en/uk-and-eu-reach-historic-deal-on-brexit-trade/a-56119075
[4] UK-EU trade deal avoids chaotic no-deal Brexit, but solves few problems - Reuters (2020, December 24). Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://www.reuters.com/business/brexit-uk-eu-trade-deal-avoids-chaotic-no-deal-brexit-solves-few-problems-2020-12-24/
- The Euro Commission's youth mobility program, which includes train travel opportunities, is designed to encourage people aged 18 to 30 to engage in various activities like work, study, volunteering, or travel, and also facilitates vocational training within the community.
- When young adults utilize the train travel opportunities provided by the Euro Commission, they not only experience new lifestyles and travel extensively across Europe, but also may gain practical skills and qualifications through vocational training programs available during their journeys.
