Access criteria were recently broadened, ensuring “that more young people and youth organisations can actively participate, to get to know the national territory and experience activities that reinforce mobility, sharing and autonomy,” said the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, quoted in a Government statement.

The program, promoted by Movy (the managing entity of the national network of Pousadas da Juventude and the European Youth Card in Portugal) and CP – Comboios de Portugal, is aimed at young people between 18 and 30 years old and student and youth associations registered in the RNAJ (National Register of Youth Associations).

Since the 20th, when the access criteria were broadened, more than 22,000 vouchers have been registered, raising the total issued in 2025 to around 28,000, close to the maximum limit of 30,000 vouchers planned for this year.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s statement reminds that, by registering, young people can travel on trains and stay in Pousadas da Juventude free of charge.

Young people and interested associations can redeem the voucher on the organisation’s official website until December 31st and enjoy the experience until July 4th, 2026.

The program, as explained on the initiative’s official website, gives young people who finished 12th grade in 2025 or who are between 18 and 30 years old, the opportunity to discover the cultural diversity and historical and natural heritage of their country through Pousadas da Juventude and Comboios de Portugal (Portuguese Railways), “enriching their travel and leisure experiences”.