Spain has opened a program for young people with travel discounts of up to 90%: what opportunities did Ukrainians receive?
For many young Ukrainians who continue to live in Spain under temporary protection due to the full-scale war, the ability to move freely around the country has long been of practical importance. Trips are related to studies, seasonal work, internships, finding housing, meetings with relatives, processing documents or getting to know different regions of the country where people plan to build their lives. That is why the annual state program Verano Joven, which allows young people to buy tickets with significant discounts, remains one of the most visible social initiatives of the summer, and Ukrainians who legally live in Spain can participate in it on an equal basis with other residents of the country.
Ukrainians with temporary protection also have the right to participate
The next stage of the Verano Joven program will last from July 1 to September 30, 2026. It is open to young people aged 18 to 30, inclusive, born between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2008.
The program is not limited to citizens of Spain and the European Union. Third-country nationals who are officially resident in Spain are also eligible. This category includes Ukrainians who have received temporary protection, as they have legal resident status in the country.
Program participants can receive up to 90% discount on tickets for state intercity bus routes. The same discount applies to regional Media Distancia trains and Metric Gauge trains.
For high-speed trains Avant, Alta Velocidad, AVE, Avlo of Renfe, as well as Iryo and Ouigo, a 50% reduction in ticket prices is provided, with the maximum discount being 30 euros per ticket.
A separate advantage of the program was the opportunity to purchase a global Interrail pass with a 50% discount in the “10 days of travel within two months” option, if the registration is made through Renfe. Such a pass allows young people to travel to different countries in Europe at a significantly lower price.
What documents do Ukrainians need to prepare
Confirmation of the right to participate is carried out using documents that certify legal residence in Spain. The best option is a plastic card Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, which indicates the NIE number and the validity period of the document.
If the plastic card has not yet been made, you can also use the program using a paper document on the provision of temporary protection issued by the police. Such a document must contain a photograph of the owner and the assigned NIE number.
The document on the registration of the place of residence Empadronamiento does not need to be downloaded separately, however, the address information must be up-to-date in state registers, as the system automatically checks the status of the applicant through the databases of the Spanish National Police.
How to register
To receive discounts, you must register on the official Verano Joven portal. It is advisable to do this at least 24 hours before purchasing tickets, as automatic data verification can take up to 24 hours.
After entering the portal, the user can log in via the Cl@ve system or a digital certificate, if they have already been issued. In this case, personal data will be automatically uploaded. In the absence of a digital signature, you must choose to fill out the form manually.
Ukrainian citizens must select NIE in the Tipo de documento column, then enter their foreigner number, the document support number, which on the Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero card is located in the upper right corner and begins with the letter E, and also enter their name and surname in Latin exactly as they are written in the document.
After that, you must indicate your date of birth, Spanish phone number and email address.
After verifying the information, the system generates a personal alphanumeric code. It is displayed in the user’s personal account and sent to e-mail.
The received code must be entered during the registration of each ticket. After selecting a route on the Renfe, Alsa, Avanza, Iryo, Ouigo or other carrier’s website, you need to go to the checkout, find the Verano Joven or Descuento Juvenil field and enter your personal code there. After that, the system will automatically calculate the cost of the ticket in accordance with the terms of the program.
What restrictions has the program set?
The personal code is assigned to a specific person and cannot be transferred to other persons. That is why, when boarding, the controller or driver must check the document confirming the passenger’s identity. Ukrainians must present a Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero card along with the ticket. If the information does not match, the ticket is canceled, and the passenger may be fined.
No less strict rules apply to canceling trips. If after purchasing a ticket, plans have changed, it must be canceled or reissued at least 24 hours before departure. If the participant fails to use the purchased tickets three times without prior cancellation, the Spanish Ministry of Transport will block the personal code until the end of the program.
For Ukrainian youth who study, work or are just starting to settle down in Spain, Verano Joven opens up the opportunity to travel around the country and Europe much cheaper. However, you can take advantage of all the benefits of the program only if you register correctly, confirm your legal status, carefully fill out the application form and follow the established rules for using the personal code.
