Record participation contrasts greatly with last year’s version of the program: 30 thousand places ‘flew’ in just one week. But 10,000 vouchers limited to stays can still be issued.
The ANDA Knowing Portugal program, which allows young people aged 18 to 30 to travel by train and stay in Youth Hostels free of charge, records a record membership and is already sold out for this year, reads the program official.
The program fulfilled the 30 thousand vacancies of vouchers it had to offer in just one week, since the 20th, when the access criteria were expanded.
Despite the bad news, the program admits to returning: Movijovem can also issue “an additional 10 thousand vouchers that only include accommodation”, according to the program regulations.
O This year’s success contrasts greatly with the previous year’s failurein which young people asked for the voucher. At the time, the program was only intended for those who had finished secondary education. Now the access criteria have been expanded, which guarantees “that more young people and youth organizations can actively participate, in order to get to know the national territory and experience experiences that reinforce mobility, sharing and autonomy”, said the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, in a Government statement.
The program, promoted by Movy (managing entity of the national network of Youth Hostels and the European Youth Card in Portugal) and CP – Comboios de Portugal, It is aimed at young people between 18 and 30 years old and student associations and youth associations registered with the RNAJ (National Register of Young Associations).
In the statement from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, it is recalled that, by registering, Young people can travel on trains and stay free of charge in Youth Hostels. Interested young people and associations can redeem the voucher on the organization’s official website until December 31st and enjoy the experience until July 4th, 2026.
The program, explained on the initiative’s official page, gives young people who finished the 12th year in 2025 or who are between 18 and 30 years old, the opportunity to get to know the cultural diversity and historical and natural heritage of their country through the Youth Hostels and Trains of Portugal, “enriching travel and leisure experiences”.
