Young people in Spain will once again be able to travel around the country and across Europe at heavily discounted prices this summer as the government’s Verano Joven (Young Summer) scheme returns for 2026.
Approved by the Council of Ministers in June, the programme offers discounts of up to 90% on train and long-distance bus tickets, as well as savings on Interrail passes. More than four million young people have benefited from the scheme since it was first introduced in 2023.
The government has allocated €130 million to fund this year’s discounts.
Who can apply?
The scheme is open to Spanish nationals and legal residents in Spain who were born between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2008, meaning anyone aged between 18 and 30.
Eligible travellers can use the discounts between the dates set by the Ministry of Transport after registering online.
How to register
Before booking any discounted tickets, applicants must register through the Ministry of Transport’s website using their DNI, NIE or passport.
Once approved, they will receive a personal code by email or text message. This code must be used whenever purchasing discounted tickets and remains valid throughout the programme.
Registration must be completed at least 24 hours before buying the first ticket.
What discounts are available?
The programme includes savings across several forms of transport:
- 90% off state-operated long-distance bus services.
- 90% off conventional medium-distance and metre-gauge train services.
- 50% off Avant high-speed regional trains.
- 50% off long-distance and high-speed rail tickets, with a maximum discount of €30 per ticket.
- 50% off the Interrail Global Flexible Pass (10 travel days within two months) when purchased through Renfe.
The discounts apply to both single and return tickets where available.
Rules travellers need to know
The personal registration code cannot be shared or used by anyone else.
Passengers who repeatedly book journeys and fail to travel without cancelling at least 24 hours in advance may lose access to the scheme.
The government says users who accumulate more than six cases of misuse could have their code withdrawn altogether.
Anyone caught travelling using another person’s code may also face penalties. Fines can reach up to €750 for rail travel and up to €200 for bus services, with the traveller treated as if they were travelling without a valid ticket.
Discounted Interrail travel across Europe
The scheme also makes European rail travel more affordable through a discounted Interrail pass.
The offer applies to the Global Flexible Pass, allowing travel on 10 days within a two-month period across 33 European countries when purchased through Renfe.
The initiative is designed to encourage young people to explore both Spain and Europe using public transport while making travel more affordable during the summer holidays.
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