Would you like to step out of your comfort zone? Learn new skills? Discover new places, people as well as new things about yourself? Then you should consider an Erasmus+ experience abroad, just like Martina Caironi from Italy did!

Studying abroad is a core component of Erasmus+ and for good reason! Participating in an Erasmus+ mobility is proven to be of great impact on participants’ job prospects and helps them discover their ideal career path. It gives you the opportunity to improve not only your language skills, but also to gain self-confidence and become independent, all whilst being immersed in a new culture!

Where can you go?

Anywhere in the world! You can apply to go to one of the Erasmus+ Programme countries as well as to any other country in the world!

How long can I go for?

Your study abroad period can last from 2 to 12 months per level of study. You are not limited to participating in the programme only once: you can benefit from an exchange abroad multiple times up to a maximum of 12 months per level of study. Erasmus+ mobility can also take place at every level of your studies (bachelor, master, doctorate or equivalents), adding new benefits at each step of your higher education journey.

If a study period of two months or more abroad is not possible for you e.g. you have fewer opportunities for participation due to your study programme, personal circumstances (such as parent or caregiving responsibilities) or other circumstances are currently preventing your participation in a long term mobility – participation in a blended short-term mobility might be a good option.

Blended short-term mobility is the combination of a physical mobility with a virtual mobility period. Those taking part in a blended mobility can apply for a stay abroad of 5-30 days and complete online the rest of the study programme.  Blended mobility is also possible in case you would like to complement your mobility of two months and more with a virtual activity before, during or after the mobility.

In addition, blended intensive programmes combine a short-term physical mobility (5-30 days) with a virtual mobility but also give the opportunity to students from different countries to come together and work collectively on specific assignments. This continues after the physical mobility through online collaborative tasks, which are integral part of the learning process.

Any terms and conditions?

• You must be registered in a higher education institution.
• Your mobility period must be approved by your university and be part of the study programme you are following.
• Both your home institution and the host institution where you want to study need to hold the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education, and have an inter-institutional agreement signed between them.

Do you get recognition?

For your mobility period to be recognised by your home institution as part of your studies, you need to make sure to complete the following steps:

1. You, your home and host institutions must agree and sign an Online Learning Agreement. This document sets out the educational components to be followed, the rights and responsibilities of all parties.
2. Read the Erasmus Student Charter, which explains your rights and obligations regarding your study abroad period. Please note that you must act responsibly and comply with the national laws, health and safety regulations of the destination country and the host institution during your exchange abroad.
3. After your study abroad period, the host institution must provide you and your home institution with a transcript of records confirming your results in the agreed programme.

Your home institution must recognise the credits earned (using ECTS credits or an equivalent system) as agreed in the Online Learning Agreement before the mobility. The acquired credits will be counted towards your degree, without any further requirements.

Your mobility period should also be recorded in the Diploma Supplement. Read more details on how to do all of the above in the Mobility Journey section of the app.

Learn the local language!

The Online Linguistic Support (OLS) is designed to assist Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps participants in improving their knowledge of the language in which they will work, study or volunteer abroad so that they can make the most out of this experience.

The European Commission is currently working on improving OLS. You will find the latest information about the currently available offer of OLS here.

What about financial support?

You may receive an Erasmus+ grant as a contribution to your travel and subsistence costs. The grant varies according to differences in living costs between your home country and the destination country, the number of students applying for a grant, the distance between the countries and the availability of other grants.

Students with fewer opportunities due to their economic or personal circumstances (such as parent or caregiving responsibilities), with a disability or a physical, mental or health-related condition can receive additional financial support after being selected for a period abroad. Also, students who opt for an environmentally-friendly travel option to the destination country can receive additional funding for their travel expenses.

In case you receive a grant, you need to sign with your home institution a grant agreement specifying the duration of your mobility, the amount you are granted and other rights and obligations.

As an Erasmus+ student, you will be exempt from tuition, registration and examination fees at the receiving institution, as well as charges for access to laboratories or libraries. Reasonable fees for insurance and student union membership may still apply.

If you would like more information about grants, first check with the international office at your home institution. You can also find more information regarding the grant agreement and financial support here.

How to apply

For study mobility in a Programme country you can apply in the Erasmus+ App. For study mobility to Partner countries and for blended intensive programmes, you can apply through the International Relations office at your higher education institution. The process of selection in your home institution should be fair and transparent.

More information:

• Make sure you know your rights when you study abroad!
• If you have a disability make sure you visit the inclusivemobility.eu website for information about accessibility of different campuses in Europe and other practical information that you may find useful to organise your mobility period.

Source: ErasmusApp

The Erasmus+ programme supports traineeships abroad for students currently enrolled in higher education institutions as well as for recent graduates within a year of graduation, provided that the application is made whilst they are still enrolled at an institution.

By doing a traineeship abroad with Erasmus+, you boost your communication, language, intercultural and digital skills. Moreover, you gain hands on experience that will make your profile very attractive for future employers!

Where can you go?

You may carry out a traineeship at any organisation anywhere in the world (with the exception of EU institutions, bodies and agencies).

How long can I go for?

Your traineeship period abroad can last from 2 to 12 months. You are not limited to participating in the programme only once: you can benefit from an exchange abroad more than once up to a maximum of 12 months per level of study. Erasmus+ mobility can also take place at each level of your studies (bachelor, master, doctorate or equivalents), adding new benefits at each step of your higher education journey.

If a traineeship period of two months or more abroad is not suitable for you – participation in a blended short-term mobility might be a good option as you will stay abroad for 5-30 days and complete the rest of your traineeship online. Blended mobility is also possible in case you wish to complement your mobility of two months and more with a virtual activity before, during or after the mobility.

In addition, blended intensive programmes combine a short-term physical mobility (5-30 days) with a virtual mobility but also give the opportunity to students from different countries to come together and work collectively on specific assignments. This continues after the physical mobility through online collaborative tasks, which are an integral part of the learning process.

Any terms and conditions?

1. You need to be a student registered at a higher education institution holding an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education.
2. Your traineeship must be relevant to your studies, personal development and, wherever possible, integrated in your study programme.

How to find a hosting company

The Erasmus Intern Traineeship Portal, developed by the Erasmus Student Network, can help you find an Erasmus+ traineeship, including Digital Opportunity Traineeships! You can also visit Drop’pin@EURES to find training opportunities.

Here are some additional tips:

• Contact the international office at your institution.
• Contact and ask the local Erasmus Student Network section in your city or region for information.
• Contact your institution’s alumni association or the company you wish to apply to work for.

Make sure you know your rights when you do a traineeship abroad!

Learn the local language!

The Online Linguistic Support (OLS) is designed to assist Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps participants in improving their knowledge of the language in which they will work, study or volunteer abroad so that they can make the most out of this experience.

The European Commission is currently working on improving OLS. You will find the latest information about the currently available offer of OLS here.

Will I get recognition?

There are three different scenarios for recognition following a traineeship:

1. Traineeships embedded in your curriculum (counting towards your degree);
2. Voluntary traineeships (not obligatory for your degree);
3. Traineeships for recent graduates.

In the case of traineeships embedded in the curriculum (counting towards the degree), your mobility period must be recognised by your home institution and fully incorporated as part of your studies. In order for that to take place, you should keep the following in mind:

1. Before your traineeship period, you, your home institution and host organisation must negotiate and sign a Learning Agreement for Traineeships. This document sets out the rights and responsibilities of the various parties, a detailed programme of the traineeship, information on insurance, and how your traineeship will be recognised upon successful completion.
2. You must read the Erasmus Student Charter which explains your rights and obligations regarding your period abroad. Please note that you must act responsibly and comply with the national laws, health and safety regulations of the destination country and the host organisation during your exchange abroad.
3. After your traineeship, the receiving organisation should send you and your home institution a Traineeship Certificate, usually within five weeks of successfully completing the traineeship.
4. Your home institution should recognise your traineeship abroad, according to the commitments agreed upon in the Learning Agreement, without any further requirements.
5. If your institution is in a Programme country, the information contained in the Traineeship Certificate should also be included in the Diploma Supplement.

If you are a recent graduate, you can still have your traineeship recognised. In this case, the traineeship will not be incorporated as part of your studies but it is recommended that you record it in your Europass Mobility Document.

Read more details on how to do all of the above in the Step-by-Step section of the app.

What about financial support?

You may receive an Erasmus+ grant as a contribution to your travel and subsistence costs. The grant varies according to differences in living costs between your home country and the destination country, the number of students applying for a grant, the distance between the countries and the availability of other grants.

Students or recent graduates with fewer opportunities due to their economic or personal circumstances (such as parent or caregiving responsibilities), with a disability or a physical, mental or health-related condition can receive additional financial support after being selected for a period abroad. Also, students or recent graduates who opt for an environmentally-friendly travel option to the destination country can receive additional funding for their travel expenses.

If you receive a grant, then you need to sign the grant agreement specifying the duration of your stay abroad, the amount you are granted and other rights and obligations.

If you would like more information about grants, first check with the international office at your home institution. You could also find more information regarding the grant agreement and financial support here.

How to apply

Please note that for now you may apply directly through the Erasmus+ App only for study mobility in a Programme country. For traineeship mobility and blended intensive programmes you can apply through the international or Erasmus+ office at your higher education institution. The selection process at your institution should be both fair and transparent.

Source: ErasmusApp

Would you like to step out of your comfort zone? Learn in a prestigious international study programme jointly delivered by several higher education institutions (HEI)? Then you should consider an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree (EMJMD), with many EU funded scholarships given to the best student candidates. Just like Shqipe Neziri, a Manager of the United Nations Development Programme from Kosovo did!

In the Erasmus Mundus Join Master Degrees programme you’ll have the chance to study in at least two countries, experiencing different cultures, environments and broadening your horizons! Studying abroad is a core component of Erasmus+ and for good reason! Participating in an Erasmus+ is proven to be of great impact on participants’ job prospects and helps them discover their ideal career path. It gives you the opportunity to acquire high-level professional skills, but also to gain self-confidence and become independent, all whilst being immersed in new cultures!

Where can you go?

Basically, anywhere in the world! The countries where you can study are defined by  each Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree. Please consult the online EMJMD Catalogue and have a look at the list!

Each programme’s website contains all the information you need on content, entry requirements and the universities for you to decide if this is the right programme for you. A new batch of selected Erasmus Mundus Masters is added to the list each summer.

How long can I go for?

An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree is a study programme of 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. This means that it lasts from a minimum of 12 months, to a maximum of 24 months. The majority are 24-month programmes.

Any terms and conditions?

• Study must take place in at least two of the Programme countries. Part of the studies can also take place in a Partner countries if there is a partner-country institution involved.
• Students at Master’s level worldwide can apply.
• You must have obtained a first higher education degree or demonstrate a recognised equivalent level of learning, according to national legislation and practices, in the degree awarding countries.
• If you have already received an EMJMD you are not eligible for an additional EMJMD scholarship. You cannot benefit from another EU-funded scholarship scheme while you are receiving an EMJMD scholarship.

Do you get recognition?

The successful completion of the study programme will lead to the award of either a joint degree (i.e. one single degree certificate issued on behalf of at least two higher education institutions of the EMJMD consortium) or multiple degrees (i.e. at least two degree certificates issued by two higher education institutions of the consortium).

• To find out whether an EMJMD will be recognised in a given country, contact the appropriate authorities concerned and provide them with the official name of the course.
• Read the Erasmus+ Student Charter, which explains your rights and obligations regarding your study abroad period.

What about financial support?

At the same time that you apply to be admitted in an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree, you will need to state whether you are interested in receiving the scholarship. It might happen that you are selected into the course without scholarship.

The EMJMD scholarship covers your participation costs (including the tuition fees, library and laboratory costs, full insurance coverage and any other mandatory costs related to your participation in the Master); it represents a contribution to your travel and installation costs and includes a monthly subsistence allowance for the entire duration of the study programme.

The total amount of the scholarship varies according to the duration of your course and your nationality (non-EU students receive larger scholarships).

Note that students with fewer opportunities due to their economic or personal circumstances (such as parent or caregiving responsibilities) with a disability or a physical, mental or health-related condition have the option of applying for additional financial support. You could also find more information regarding the grant agreement and payments here.

How to apply

• The website of the specific programme of your choice (available through the  online EMJMD Catalogue) will also take you through all the steps of the online application process.
• You can apply to up to 3 different Masters, but you will need to choose if selected to more than one.
• An application form has to be filled in and submitted to the coordinating institution of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree. Bear in mind that each EMJMD has specific requirements, it might for example require proof of grades or languages and a motivation letter to accompany the application.

More information

Make sure you know your rights when you study abroad!

If you have a disability make sure you visit the inclusivemobility.eu platform for information about accessibility of different campuses in Europe and other practical information that you may find useful to organise your mobility period.

Before you depart you will need to check whether your destination countries requires a visa or a residence permit. If this is the case, make all the necessary arrangements and ask the coordinator of your Erasmus Mundus Master for help with visa-related issues. Applications for authorisations must be submitted to the relevant authorities of the first EU country you will stay in; prepare well in advance, as the process may take up to 90 days. If there is no Consulate of the European “Programme” Country in their country of residence, contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Immigration Office of that European  Country to identify the responsible consulate. 

In terms of health insurance, you have the right to get a European Health Insurance Card, which is issued by your national health insurance provider and gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the EU countries, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in some countries) as people insured in that country. Lastly, you are responsible for finding accommodation but some host institutions could provide support; you could also find help for it at your local Erasmus Mundus Association.

The EMA (Erasmus Mundus Association) is the alumni-association specific to the joint master degrees. Their website offers advice and inspiration for applicants

The ESAA – Erasmus+ Student and Alumni Alliance offers Erasmus+ students and alumni a dynamic forum for networking, professional development and intercultural exchange.

Source: ErasmusApp

Are you a Vocational Education and Training (VET) learner? Do you know that Erasmus+ can support you in maximising your chances to find a job, whether you are following an initial or continuous vocational education and training curriculum, or if you have recently graduated?

Embarking on an Erasmus + journey is an opportunity to improve your skills, boost employment possibilities and equip you with an international mind-set!

How long can I go for?

You can participate in a Vocational Education and Training traineeship abroad from two weeks (i.e. ten working days) to 12 months.

Any terms and conditions?

You should be an apprentice, a Vocational Education and Training student, or a recent graduate (less than a year) of a VET school or company.

What about financial support?

Erasmus+ provides an EU grant to support travel as well as practical and activity-related costs necessary for the exchange.

How to apply?

Contact your school, company or other eligible organisations (see below) as you need their support. Individuals cannot apply directly for a grant. Eligible organisations are any public or private organisation active in the field of Vocational Education and Training.

We are here for you!

If you need help in finding a suitable participating organisation or have any questions, the Erasmus+ National Agency in your country is there to assist you.

Source: ErasmusApp

Youth exchanges bring together groups of young people from different countries, providing them with an opportunity to discuss and confront various themes (such as role of young people in society, the environment, racism and xenophobia, art, women in society, local heritage etc…) while learning about each other’s countries and cultures. They also help you to acquire new skills!

So…Youth Exchanges are about learning, personal development, meeting new people and all of this while having fun!

Are you looking for more information on opportunities, initiatives to work and volunteer in Europe and beyond? Ways to make your voice heard as a European citizen? Then check the Youth Portal!

Where can you go?

The list of countries where Youth Exchanges can take place is quite broad: not only within the Erasmus+ Programme Countries but also in Partner Countries Neighbouring the EU! You can check the full list here.

How long can I go for?

A Youth Exchange can last from 5 to 21 days, depending on the project!

Are there any terms and conditions?

Youth Exchanges are for young people aged between 13 and 30! There should be at least two groups from different countries involved. A group is composed of a minimum of four participants and the number of participants taking part in the exchange should not be more than 60, in order to ensure you have a quality experience!

Each group must also have a group leader; i.e. an adult that will accompany your group on the Youth Exchange to ensure that everything goes well.

What about financial support?

Erasmus + provides a grant to support travel as well as practical and activity-related costs necessary for the activity to take place. For travel, the amount is based on the travel distance per participant between the place of origin and the venue. For organisational support, the amount varies according to the country in which the exchange is taking place.

Funding to cover for extra costs that might be needed for young people with disabilities or with fewer opportunities can also be granted!

How to apply

There are different ways of applying:

• You can either look for offers for Youth Exchanges projects that have already been granted and that are looking for participants. Once you have found a project that is appealing to you, get in contact and start being involved in further developing the activities.
• You can develop your own project with an organisation you are active in, a youth worker you know or other young people that share your interest. In this case, you have to fill in the application form and submit it to the relevant National Agency (for more information, check out the “Need Help?” section below). Detailed information on the criteria, on how to submit the project proposal and on the deadlines is available here or on the National Agencies’ websites. Check it all before starting the process!

Do you get recognition?

At the end of your activity, you will be awarded a certificate which confirms your participation in the Youth Exchange. The Certificate describes the activity, confirms your involvement and also offers the option of outlining the learning that took place.

Need Help?

National Agencies have been established in each Erasmus+ Programme country in order to enable a decentralised management of projects as close to applicants as possible.

The agencies also act as the primary information sources for the users of the Programme.

So, if you need help in building your project, in finding partners or have any questions, the Erasmus+ National Agency in your country is there to assist you.

EU Member States take part in the Erasmus+ Programme. In addition, in accordance with article 16 of the Erasmus+ Regulation, the following third countries are associated to the programme :

• members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA): Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein;
• acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates: North Macedonia, Republic of Turkey and Republic of Serbia;

The EU Member States and the above mentioned third countries associated to the programme will be hereafter called “EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme”.

In addition, in accordance with article 17 of the Regulation, entities from other third countries non-associated to the Programme can be eligible in Erasmus+ actions in duly justified cases and in the Union interest (hereafter called “third countries not associated to the Programme”).

EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme

The following countries can fully take part in all the Actions of the Erasmus+ Programme:

Member States of the European Union (EU)

Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden

Third countries associated to the Programme

• North Macedonia
• Serbia
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Norway
• Turkey

Third countries not associated to the Programme

The following countries can take part in certain Actions of the Programme, subject to specific criteria or conditions (for more information, please consult Part B of this Guide). Funding will be allocated to organisations in the countries within their territories as recognised by international law. Applicants and participants must respect any restrictions placed on EU external assistance imposed by the European Council. Applications have to be in line with the overall EU values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities as foreseen in art 2 of the Treaty of the European Union.

The following third countries not associated to the Programme are regrouped according to the EU’s external action instruments, namely the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation – Global Europe Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe) and the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III).

Western Balkans (Region 1)

Albania; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Kosovo ; Montenegro

Neighbourhood East (Region 2)

Armenia; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Georgia; Moldova; Territory of Ukraine as recognised by international law

South-Mediterranean countries (Region 3)

Algeria; Egypt; Israel; Jordan; Lebanon; Libya; Morocco; Palestine ; Syria; Tunisia

Russian Federation (Region 4)

Territory of Russia as recognised by international law

Region 5 Asia

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, DPR Korea, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam

High income countries: Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macao, Singapore and Taiwan

Region 6 Central Asia

Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Region 7 Middle East

Iran, Iraq, Yemen

High income countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates

Region 8 Pacific

Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

High income countries: Australia, New Zealand

Region 9 Sub-Saharan Africa

Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Congo – Democratic Republic of the, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Region 10 Latin America

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela

Region 11 Caribbean

Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago

Region 12 US and Canada

United States of America, Canada

The following third countries not associated to the Programme are not covered by the External Action Instruments:

Region 13

Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City State

Region 14

Faroe Islands, Switzerland, United Kingdom

For more information, please consult the detailed description of the Actions of the Programme in Part B of this Guide.

Requirements regarding visa and residence permits

Participants in Erasmus+ projects may need to obtain a visa for staying abroad in the EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme or third country not associated to the Programme hosting the activity. It is a responsibility of all the participating organisations to ensure that the authorisations required (short or long-term stay visas or residence permits) are in order before the planned activity takes place. It is strongly recommended that the authorisations are requested from the competent authorities well in advance, since the process may take several weeks. National Agencies and the Executive Agency may give further advice and support concerning visas, residence permits, social security, etc. The EU Immigration Portal contains general information on visa and residence permits, for both short-term and long-term stays: https://ec.europa.eu/immigration 

Source: European Commission