However, due to work, health, studies or financial constraints, not all French residents can take a summer holiday, which – especially this year – can take a particular toll on young people. France’s National Agency for Holiday Vouchers (ANCV) is changing that.

Départ 18:25 (Departure 18:25) was launched by ANCV in 2014 to help those from 18-25 years old take summer vacation, providing vouchers that cover up to 75 percent of reservation costs (capped at €200).

Beneficiaries can choose between 10,000 destinations spread across France and internationally, with reservations made through the Les Stations sites offering sun, mountains and city-themed trips. The site allows visitors to test their eligibility and simulate the total cost of trips taking the ANVC voucher into account.  

#Départ1825, c'est un dispositif d'aide mis en place pour favoriser le départ en vacances des jeunes. Une opportunité à vivre seul, en couple ou entre amis! 😍 #ANCV #Vacancespourtous

👇 https://t.co/NxHb5UObwF

— ANCV (@ANCVacances) April 26, 2021

According to Ouest-France, at least 3,800 participants took vacation across France and abroad last year through the Départ 18:25 scheme.

Dominique Ktorza, Director of Social Policies at ANCV, said that they will be working with the National Center of Universities and Schools to spread the word, and plan to reach two million scholarship students through email about the program.  

The scheme is open to French residents aged 18-25 making a net salary of less than €17,280 per year, as declared on tax forms.

However, it’s also open to students working on apprenticeships, civic service volunteers, those benefiting from special aid contracts (often given to handicapped people, for example), “second-chance” schools that offer another shot to those that had difficulties in school, beneficiaries of the Youth Guarantee initiative and those receiving social aid within their families.