Would you love to go on holiday this summer but are struggling for funds? If you happen to turn 18 before the start of of July, then consider yourself applicable for a train holiday around Europe – all completely free!

As part of a new EU scheme to expose more youths to the diversity of Europe, 15,000 European 18-year-olds, including 30 Maltese, will be given a free Interrail pass this summer.

The pass, worth around €640, will give you free train travel to four countries of your choice out of the 30 Interrail destinations. As Malta is unconnected to the European mainland, the travel pass for Maltese teens will also include free transport to the first connected country.

The trip must be held between 9th July and 30th September and cannot last longer than a month. All other travel costs, including accommodation, are not covered by the pass.

There’s also some minor fine print. Applicants will have to first take part in a small online quiz on EU affairs and the lucky chosen ones will be obliged to act as DiscoverEU ambassadors by posting updates on their trips through social media.

“This is not a free train ticket but an investment in young people and in Europe’s future,” Maltese MEP Francis Zammit Dimech and European People’s Party chairman Manfred Weber said in a joint opinion piece recently. “We genuinely believe in young people because they are the catalyst of change and the beacons of freedom and democracy.”

Are you interested? If so, apply here before 26th June

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Tim Diacono

Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]