DiscoverEU allows you to explore Europe’s cities and landscapes by traveling by train for free. Applications are open twice a year. Selected candidats receive travel tickets.

Conditions 

• Be an EU citizen
• Be 18 years old
• Enter your identity card, passport, or residence permit number on the online application form
• Plan to travel for between one day and one month maximum

More information on the European Youth Portal.

DiscoverEU Inclusion

The Discover EU Inclusion action program enables EU-based organizations and informal youth groups to participate in the DiscoverEU general application cycle by providing additional support.

DiscoverEU allows young people to travel across Europe by train, either alone or in groups, for 1 to 30 days. Participants can travel with or without accompaniment, travel in an eco-friendly way, and explore Europe:

• Study opportunities in Europe,
• Useful everyday skills and knowledge,
• The richness of intercultural dialogue with other young Europeans.

Eligibility requirements:

• Be 18 years old,
• Reside in the country where the originating organization is based,
• Be part of a group of 1 to 5 people,
• Group leaders, youth workers, or accompanying persons must be at least 18 years old,
• Travel to a country different from the starting point of the journey.

How to apply:

Applicants must submit their application to the National Agency of the country in which the organization is based by February 12, 2025, for the 1st application period; by October 1st for the 2nd period.

Find out more in section C of the Erasmus+ Program Guide. 2024-Erasmus+Programme-Guide_EN.pdf (europa.eu)

Support from “l’Oeuvre” for study and exchange trips

L’Œuvre awards one-off grants to support study trips and/or exchanges for young people between the ages of 12 and 27.

The purpose of study trips and/or exchanges is to promote the development of active citizenship. They offer an opportunity to discover new cultures, build intercultural friendships that foster mutual respect, and strengthen the sense of belonging to Europe.

Schools, high schools, and associations can apply for one-time funding to organize these trips or youth exchanges.

Your organizazion is:

• a non-profit organization (asbl)
• foundation
• a company with SIS status (Société à Impact Sociétal) with 100% impact shares
• a public institution
• or a school

3 types of activity are possible:

• carrying out a study visit
• developing a local partnership
• running a project involving meetings and exchanges between young people from different countries

Mandatory selection criteria

• Young people aged 12 to 27
• Trip duration from 3 to 15 days max.
• Minimum group size: 4 people
• Eligible expenses: transport, accomodation, insurance, cultural outings
• Maximum package of 850€ per person, which may be reduced depending on duration
• Own funds with a minimum contribution of 15%
• Sharing a project with young people from different countries, enabling them to discover other cultures and forge intercultural friendships.
• Exchanges focusing on culture and/or the environment and/or health and/or solidarity and/or memory and heritage, promoting mutual respect and a sense of belonging in Europe.
• Have a partner in the country of destination who is relevant to the purpose of the trip (e.g., Local organizations, schools, interest groups, cultural institutions, research centers, museums).
• European and international travel

Additional criteria

• A project developed around a common theme that can lead to a production, including the organization of an exhibition, the creation of a play, a video, an interdisciplinary collective creation, a concert, a publication, …
• Participants are actively involved in the various stages of the project (preparation, achievement, and evaluation)

More information here.

The Heinz-Schwarzkopf Foundation awards scholarships to young people who like to travel and commit themselves to a united Europe. After the trip, you have to submit a final report on your adventures. The best trip reports are rewarded in a competition.

Interested?

You’ll have access to the information at the end of April and can apply from May 1 to May 31, 2025.

More information on the Foundation website.

The Zellidja Foundation can grant you a scholarship for a study trip abroad. The application period runs until February 15, 2025.

Conditions  

• Must be at least 16 and no more than 20 years old on the 31st of October, 2025
• Be French-speaking
• Submit an online application presenting your study trip project
• Attend a selection interview in France
• Travel alone for a minimum of one month between June 1st and October 31st
• Hand in a study report, a logbook, and an account book on your return. If your report is deemed satisfactory, you can submit a second project for a second trip.

You can get help with your application in the form of tutoring.

More information on the Zellidja Foundation website.

As an Au Pair, you live abroad with a host family to look after their children. To become an Au Pair:

• You must be between 17 and 30 years old, or 26 in some countries
• Have experience in childcare

Going aboard as an Au Pair is a low-cost way for you to practice your language skills and learn about local customs while sharing the life of your host family.

More concretely

• You look after the family’s children
• Take part in everyday household chores
• You ar fed and housed by your host family
• Receive pocket money
• Have free time for leisure and exploring the country. Your participation in routine family tasks may not exceed 30 hours per week

An agency places the Au Pair with a suitable family. There is a charge for this service. You then sign a contract with the agency, in which it undertakes to:

• Provide you with prior information, including a detailed description of the conditions of your stay and placement
• Collaborate with partner organizazions abroad to follow up with you during your stay

Here’s a brief selection of Au Pair agencies:

• AIFS – Education Travel
• AuPair.com
• FindAuPair
• International Au Pair Association
• RausVonZuhaus 
• Aupairworld

The Work and Travel cultural exchange program enables young people from Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, Canada, Chile, and Japan to discover one of our partner countries.

During your touristic stay of up to one year, you can take up paid employment.

Conditions

• Be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application
• Have sufficient financial resources to live in the host country
• Not have already participated in the program

The gouvernement.lu website provides information on the conditions and practicalities of applying for the program

An exchange enables groups of young people from different countries to meet and take part in themed activities together.

To be eligible for an Erasmus+ grant, the exchange must take place outside school, university or professional training. It must take place between groups from at least two different countries, and at lest one of the countries must be a member state of the European Union.

Conditions 

• Participants are aged between 13 and 30
• The number of participants is a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 60 (excluding supervisors)
• Each partner group is accompanied by at least one supervisor aged 18 or over
• The exchange lasts between 5 and 21 days (excluding travel days)
• The exchange takes place in one of the participating countries

You cannot apply for a youth exchange grant as an individual. It must be made by a non-profit organization, an association, an informal youth group, a local authority, a public body at regional or national level, a company in the social economy…

For more information, contact the Agence nationale pour l’information des jeunes.

Since the creation of the Schengen area and the introduction of the euro, traveling within the European Union has become much easier.

If you are a national of a member country of the European Union:

• You can travel freely between countries in the Schengen area (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland).
• It is recommended to carry a valid ID card or passport with you to prove your identity if needed. The documents accepted as valid identification vary by country. Check this list to find out which documents are valid in each country.
• You will need a valid ID card or passport to enter or leave one of the four EU countries outside the Schengen Area (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania).

If you are a citizen of a non-EU country:

• A valid passport is mandatory for traveling. Check with the consulate or embassy of your destination country to find out if you need a visa. If you obtain a visa from a Schengen Area country, it automatically allows you to travel within other Schengen countries. Similarly, a valid residence permit issued by a Schengen country also permits travel within the area.

Useful resources:

• Check the exact requirements for each country.
• Visit the Your Europe website and use the Going Abroad app for practical information to help you travel in Europe.

The InterRail Pass is a ticket which, at a reduced rate, allows you to travel freely on rail networks in 33 European countries for a given period. Various durations are available, from 4 days to 3 months. What’s more, you can also benefit from bus and ferry travel advantages. The InterRail Pass is also available for a single country of your choice.

Only booking fees are not included in the InterRail Pass!

You can buy your InterRail Pass online at Interrail.eu or at the international ticket office in any station.

Driving licenses

A driving license obtained in a member country of the European Economic Area is recognized in all member countries, as well as in England and Switzerland. Before you leave, check the expiry date. A provisional license is not recognized in other EU countries. Some countries require an IDP (International Driving Permit) in addition to the license, so check with the local authorities.

For a license issued in a non-EU country, check with the local authorities d beforehand.

Motor insurance

Car insurance taken out in your home country covers third-party liability throughout the EU, i.e. damage caused to others is covered.

For details of coverage, check with your insurer before you leave.

Renting a car

There are no specific EU rules on car rental, and rental companies are free to set their prices and conditions in different EU countries. But you are protected everywhere by fundamental consumer rights.

Make sure you know the car rental company’s terms and conditions before you book!

Traffic rules

Not all EU countries have the same traffic regulations and road safety rules. Find out about the traffic rules in force before driving abroad.

When making purchases in the European Union, there are certain rules to be observed.

Cash

• If you’re carrying cash worth 10,000 euros or more (cash, bearer negotiable instruments, prepaid cards, checks, traveler’s checks, money orders, promissory bills, anonymous savings bonds or securities), you must declare it to customs.

Shopping in the EU

You can buy and take as many items as you like from one country to another within the EU, as long as they are for personal use.

For tobacco and alcohol, each EU country sets the maximum quantities considered to be for personal use.

Check country-specific rules before making a purchase.

Here are all the details on importing goods.

If you plan to travel with a dog or a cat to another EU country (including the 27 EU member states, Norway, and Northern Ireland), here are the conditions to follow:

• Identification: Your pet must have a microchip or a clearly readable tattoo.
• Vaccination: Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies.
• Echinococcus treatment: This is mandatory if you are traveling to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, or Northern Ireland.
• European pet passport: Your pet must have this passport, which includes:
  • A description of the animal,
  • Information about the microchip or tattoo,
  • Details of the rabies vaccination,
  • Contact information for the owner and the veterinarian who issued the passport.

For entering the EU:

• You will also need a health certificate issued by a veterinarian in your country of departure. This document must include specific information about your pet.
• You must declare that the trip is not for commercial purposes.

Here are all the detailed rules for traveling with a dog or a cat. If you are planning to travel with another type of pet, such as a bird or rodent, check the specific regulations for your destination country beforehand.

Note: If you want to go in Germany for a long time period you can pay taxes for your dog.

University residences

Many universities and other educational establishments have residences reserved for their students. The best way to find out is to contact your school directly, or the consulate of the country concerned.

The website of the Agence Nationale pour l’Information des Jeunes gives you some tips on finding accommodation abroad.

The Uniplaces platform lets you book student accommodation online. As an Erasmus student, you benefit from reduced service charges.

Shared flat

The principle is simple: you share an apartment and the rent with other people. Everyone has their own room, but the bathroom, kitchen and living room are shared. To find a flat-share, consult :

• private rental ads
• real estate agency ads
• the school’s student affairs bulletin board

Contact your local Eurodesk office to find out about shared accommodation.

The Agence Nationale pour l’Information des Jeunes website tells you if you’re right for a shared flat.

Short-term accommodation in Europe

For short-term accommodation abroad, you can of course book a hotel room, but this can be expensive.

Cheaper alternatives are youth hostels and private inns, or staying with private individuals, or at a campsite.

The European Youth Card is a card for young Europeans between the ages of 12 and 30. It entitles you to numerous benefits and thousands of discounts in 38 European countries for just 10 euros. What’s more, it includes Europ Assistance insurance for trips and stays abroad. Find out all about the advantages of the European Youth Card on the official website.

Just arrived in your destination country? Feeling lost? These websites provide practical information to help you settle in and connect with other expats who are going through the same experience:

• Just Landed ;
• Expatriates ;
• InterNations.