When the European Parliament started an annual travel scheme in 2018 to allow 18-year-olds to explore Europe by train for free, Brexit looked set to stop British teenagers from taking part.
But with Brexit now delayed until October 31, 2019, it means teenage travellers living in the UK can apply for tickets again this year.
The travel scheme hands out 20,000 free rail tickets to allow intrepid explorers to “experience Europe’s diversity, better understand each other and learn more about Europe”.
All you have to is apply for the tickets online before 12pm on May 16, as long as you were born between July 2, 2000 and July 1, 2001.
The 20,000 tickets are allocated to each EU member state in proportion to their population. It means just over 2,500 British citizens aged 18 should qualify.
The tickets allow free travel for up to 30 days to at least one foreign country and are available for use between August, 2019 and January, 2020. Travel will be mainly by rail, but also by bus and ferry to ensure wide access.
Even though Brexit is due to take place on October 31, 2019, the rules state that the participant must simply “have the nationality of one of the Member States of the European Union at the time of the award decision”.
MEPs say: “Encouraging young EU citizens to travel in the EU and meet people from other countries will foster European identity and reinforce common EU values.”
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Although most young travellers will mostly use rail transport to travel, the rules say: "Flights will be allowed in exceptional cases where no other form of transport is available. This could be, for example, for people coming from remote areas or outermost regions.
“Participants with reduced mobility or special needs may be eligible for extra help, for example support with the costs for an accompanying person or dog for those with a visual impairment.
“Accommodation, subsistence or other expenses related to the trip shall be covered by the participants.”
The scheme is a watered-down version of a proposal to give every young person in Europe a free InterRail pass on their 18th birthday, an idea first put forward in 2016.
