DiscoverEU Expands to the Republic of Moldova: New European Mobility Opportunities for Young People from 2027

During the second Republic of Moldova – European Union Summit, held in Brussels on 22 June, the European Commission announced its intention to include the Republic of Moldova in the DiscoverEU programme starting in 2027.

The initiative, also reflected in the joint declaration adopted at the conclusion of the summit, would allow young Moldovans turning 18 to benefit, for the first time, from a European rail travel pass and a discount card for travel and activities across Europe.

At this stage, the programme’s extension remains a political commitment. The details of the Republic of Moldova’s participation have yet to be determined, as DiscoverEU is currently available only to European Union Member States and certain countries associated with the Erasmus+ programme.

What is the DiscoverEU programme?

Launched in 2018 as part of the Erasmus+ programme, DiscoverEU offers young Europeans the opportunity to explore the continent through a free travel pass, primarily intended for rail transport.

The programme aims to encourage youth mobility, promote intercultural exchange, and strengthen participants’ sense of belonging to the European community.

Each year, two application rounds are organised—one in spring and one in autumn. For the spring 2026 round, approximately 40,000 travel passes were made available, financed through a budget of €23.5 million. The average value of each travel pass is estimated at around €260, while participants from disadvantaged backgrounds or with special needs may receive additional financial support.

Who is eligible?

The programme is exclusively intended for young people who turn 18 during the eligibility period established for each application round. Applicants must also be citizens or legal residents of an eligible country.

Participants are not selected on a first-come, first-served basis but through a competitive selection process. Candidates answer five questions about the European Union and one additional tie-breaker question, with successful applicants selected according to the national quotas allocated to each participating country.

What benefits does the programme offer?

Selected participants receive a free second-class travel pass, primarily valid on Europe’s rail network. In special circumstances, such as travel from remote or island regions, transport by coach, ferry or plane may also be provided.

The travel pass allows up to seven travel days within a maximum period of one month. During each travel day, participants may take an unlimited number of train journeys. Within their country of residence, only two trips are permitted: one departure journey and one return journey.

In addition to the travel pass, participants receive the DiscoverEU – European Youth Card, which provides discounts on local transport, accommodation, cultural and sports activities, restaurants, and various other services in participating countries.

The programme also covers visa costs where applicable. However, accommodation, meals, insurance, mandatory seat reservations, and other additional expenses remain the responsibility of the participants.

What does this mean for the Republic of Moldova?

The Republic of Moldova’s prospective inclusion in DiscoverEU carries both symbolic and practical significance. Politically, it represents another step in the country’s gradual integration into the European community, offering young Moldovans opportunities similar to those already available to citizens of European Union Member States.

The initiative complements other recent measures aimed at strengthening ties between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, including accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), the removal of roaming charges, and association with the Creative Europe programme.

At the same time, the expansion of DiscoverEU is regarded as a preparatory step towards the Republic of Moldova’s full participation in Erasmus+. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has indicated that the Republic of Moldova could join DiscoverEU in 2027, while full participation in Erasmus+ may become possible from 2028 onwards. As a result, the youth mobility programme could become the country’s first concrete step towards broader participation in the European Union’s educational and exchange initiatives.