If you live in a participating European country, buy an Interrail Pass. If you live outside Europe, buy a Eurail Pass. Both passes cover the same European rail network and cost the same. Which one you can buy depends entirely on your country of residence, not your passport.
Buying the wrong pass is a common mistake. An Interrail Pass bought by a non-European resident cannot be used. Getting a refund after activation is not possible. Get this right before you order.
Which pass do you need?
The rule is: residence, not passport nationality, determines which pass applies.
An American citizen who has been living in Berlin qualifies for an Interrail Pass. A French citizen living in Toronto needs a Eurail Pass. What matters is where your home is, not which passports you carry.
Interrail Passes are for residents of participating European countries. Eurail Passes are for everyone else. Both programmes are run jointly, and the pass prices are identical.
| Interrail Pass | Eurail Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can buy | European residents | Non-European residents |
| Key document | National ID or passport from country of residence, plus residency proof if needed | Valid passport |
| Where to order | interrail.eu | eurail.com |
If you are unsure which applies, check the country dropdown when you start an order on Interrail’s website. If your country of residence appears there, you qualify for an Interrail Pass. If it does not, order from Eurail.
What counts as a European resident?
You are a European resident for Interrail purposes if your permanent home is in a participating country. Short stays, semester exchanges, and short-term work placements generally do not qualify. The test is simple: which country would you put on the address line of a formal document?
Your country of residence is printed on your pass. Train inspectors can ask to see matching ID at any point. If your passport shows a different country from the one on your pass, carry an official government-issued residency document that confirms where you live.
Driver’s licences and e-residency documents are not accepted. Only official government-issued ID and residency permits are valid.
Which countries qualify for Interrail?
All EU member states qualify. A wider group of non-EU European countries also participate in the programme:
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| European Union | All EU member states |
| Other European countries | Albania, Andorra, Bosnia Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Iceland, Isle of Man, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City |
The eligible country list is defined by Interrail’s Pass Purchase Conditions. It can change, so verify your country is in the dropdown before you order.
UK residents: The UK remained an Interrail member country after Brexit. UK residents qualify for Interrail. Select “United Kingdom” as your country of residence when ordering.
What documents do you need for Interrail?
You need ID that matches the country of residence shown on your pass.
If your passport or national ID card already shows your current country of residence, that is enough. If it does not, which is common for non-EU nationals living in Europe, you also need an official residency document from that country.
Accepted documents vary by country. Some commonly used ones:
| Country | Accepted residency documents |
|---|---|
| Austria | Aufenthaltstitel |
| France | Titre de séjour / Titre de long séjour |
| Germany | Blue card, Meldebestätigung, Aufenthaltstitel |
| Ireland | GNIB card |
| Italy | Permesso di soggiorno |
| Netherlands | Basisregistratie personen (BRP), Verblijfsvergunning |
| Spain | Tarjeta de residencia (with NIE) |
| Switzerland | B permit |
| United Kingdom | Biometric Residence Permit, TIER 1–4 visa, Certificate of Right of Abode |
Your residency document must confirm valid registration at the start of your trip. Electronic permits are not accepted. If your document is not on this list, check Interrail’s website before you travel.
What documents do you need for Eurail?
A valid passport is what you need for a Eurail Pass. Make sure your passport covers the full duration of your trip. If you need a visa to enter European countries, arrange that separately. The Eurail Pass covers rail travel, not entry requirements.
Special cases
Dual citizens
If you hold more than one passport, your country of residence is what determines which pass to buy. Use ID from the country where you actually live.
| Situation | Pass to buy | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Two European passports | Interrail Pass | Passport or ID from the country you live in |
| European and non-European passport, living in Europe | Interrail Pass | Passport or ID from European residence country, plus official residency document if needed |
| European and non-European passport, living outside Europe | Eurail Pass | Passport from your non-European residence country |
A French-American living in France needs an Interrail Pass. The same person living in New York needs a Eurail Pass. Citizenship is irrelevant. What counts is current home.
UK residents and Northern Ireland
UK residents qualify for Interrail. Select “United Kingdom” as your country of residence when you order.
Northern Ireland residents should note that the Interrail Global Pass limits travel within your home country to one outbound and one inbound journey. Travel within the island of Ireland, crossing between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, is subject to specific rules. Check the current terms on Interrail’s website before you travel.
Republic of Ireland residents should select “Ireland” as their country of residence, not “United Kingdom.”
Non-EU citizens living in Europe
Living in a participating European country qualifies you for Interrail, even if you are not an EU citizen. Carry your official European residency card alongside your passport on every journey. The train inspector needs to confirm both your identity and your residence.
What to do if you buy the wrong pass
Contact customer service before you activate the pass. Unused, unactivated passes are generally refundable or exchangeable, though a fee may apply depending on the pass type and purchase channel. Once a pass is activated, it cannot be refunded or exchanged. There are no exceptions.
Check your country of residence carefully before you confirm your order. This is the one detail you cannot change after activation.
Seat reservations
A rail pass does not automatically give you a seat. High-speed trains and night trains require a separate seat reservation, which costs extra, regardless of which pass you hold. Reservation fees vary by country, train type, and route. See our guide to seat reservations for Interrail for more detail, or check the fees directly on Interrail’s reservation fees page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy an Interrail Pass if I live in the UK?
Yes. The UK remained an Interrail member country after Brexit, so UK residents qualify for an Interrail Pass. When you order, select "United Kingdom" as your country of residence and provide proof of your UK address if asked.
I hold a European passport but live outside Europe. Do I need Interrail or Eurail?
You need a Eurail Pass. The pass you buy is based on where you live, not which passport you hold. A French or German citizen living in the United States, Canada, or Australia must order from Eurail.com, not Interrail.eu.
What documents do I need to travel with my Interrail Pass?
You need government-issued ID, a passport or national identity card, showing your country of residence. If your ID shows a different country from the one on your pass, you also need to carry an official residency document such as a residence permit. Driver's licences and e-residency documents are not accepted.
What should I do if I accidentally buy the wrong rail pass?
Contact customer service before you activate the pass. Unused, unactivated passes are generally refundable or exchangeable, though a fee may apply. Once a pass has been activated, refunds and exchanges are not possible. Always check your country of residence before confirming your order.
Can a dual citizen choose between an Interrail or Eurail pass?
No. The choice depends on where you live, not which passports you hold. If you live in a participating European country, you must buy an Interrail Pass, using ID from your European country of residence. If you live outside Europe, you must buy a Eurail Pass.
