study abroad checklist: Use it as a calm pre-departure control panel: documents first, housing second, money and arrival tasks before the fun extras.
In this guide
Quick answer: Study Abroad Checklist
The strongest checklist starts six months before departure, locks visa and housing early, then narrows to insurance, banking, packing and first-week admin.
Leaving for a semester abroad in 2026? Erasmus+, a bilateral exchange, ISEP, DAAD, a government scholarship or a self-arranged program all share nearly the same pre-departure steps — and missing even one can cost you time, money, or a smooth start.
This checklist covers everything: admin, finances, housing, packing, and your first week.
6+ Months Before Departure
Confirm Your Exchange Placement
- Receive and sign your Learning Agreement (Erasmus+) or equivalent document from your home university
- Confirm host university enrolment deadline and submit all required forms
- Identify your exchange coordinator — they are your main contact for problems abroad
- Verify your program type: Erasmus+ KA131, Erasmus+ KA171, bilateral agreement, ISEP, government scholarship (DAAD, Campus France, JASSO, GKS) or self-arranged
- Check if your host institution requires a separate housing application — many popular cities (Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona) have housing waitlists that open 6–8 months ahead
Visa and Entry Requirements
- Determine if you need a student visa or residence permit for your destination country
- EU/EEA students within EU: typically no visa, but may need local registration on arrival
- Non-EU students going to EU: need national student visa if staying over 90 days
- Students going to Canada, UK, or US: study permit or student visa required regardless of origin
- Check processing time — France (Campus France), Germany, Netherlands can take 6–10 weeks
- Book your visa appointment as early as possible
3–6 Months Before Departure
Finances and Banking
- Open a no-fee international bank account — Wise, Revolut, N26, and Monzo are popular with exchange students
- Research the cost of living at your destination — read our Study Abroad Budget Guide 2026 for city-by-city breakdowns
- Confirm your Erasmus+ grant amount (if applicable) and payment schedule
- Set a monthly spending budget: rent + food + transport + phone + leisure + emergency reserve
Health Insurance
- EU/EEA students within the EU: Obtain your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) — free, covers emergency treatment in all EU countries
- Non-EU students / students outside EU: Purchase international student health insurance
- France: Sécurité Sociale registration required | Germany: GKV enrollment required
Housing
- Apply to university-provided housing on day one the portal opens
- Research private platforms: Uniplaces, HousingAnywhere, SpotAHome
- Get your housing address in writing before arrival — needed for bank account and local registration
1–3 Months Before Departure
Documents and Admin
- Passport: valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned return date
- Scan all key documents and store in Google Drive or iCloud: passport, student ID, acceptance letter, insurance, visa, Learning Agreement, rental contract
- Make 2 physical copies of each document — leave one set at home
- Check local registration requirements: Spain (empadronamiento), Germany (Anmeldung), Netherlands (DigiD), France (mairie)
Phone and Connectivity
- Within the EU: most EU-issued SIMs roam free since 2017 (“roam like at home” regulation)
- Outside your plan coverage: budget for a local SIM card (~€10–25 setup + monthly plan)
- Download offline maps before departure (Google Maps, Maps.me)
Packing List
Documents (Carry-On Only)
- Passport + visa / residence permit
- Printed acceptance letter + rental contract / housing confirmation
- Health insurance certificate (print + digital)
- European Health Insurance Card (if applicable)
- Emergency contacts list
- Cash in local currency for first 24–48 hours
Electronics
- Laptop + charger
- Universal travel adapter for your destination: EU (Type C/E/F), UK (Type G), Canada/US (Type A/B)
- Power bank (min. 10,000 mAh)
Health and Personal Care
- 2–3 months’ supply of prescription medication with official prescription in English
- Basic first-aid kit: painkillers, cold meds, plasters
- Contact lenses supply (your exact prescription may be unavailable abroad)
On Arrival — First Week Checklist
- ✓ Collect keys and document flat condition in writing with landlord
- ✓ Register with local authorities within required timeframe
- ✓ Set up local bank account or activate Wise/Revolut
- ✓ Get a local SIM card if needed
- ✓ Register at the International Students Office (ISO)
- ✓ Confirm course registration and Learning Agreement
- ✓ Attend welcome week / orientation events — primary source of new friendships
City-Specific Guides
Each destination has specific admin requirements and costs. Read the full guide for your city:
- Amsterdam — housing lottery, DigiD, transport card
- Barcelona — NIE, empadronamiento, T-Casual transport
- Berlin — Anmeldung, Semesterticket, blocked account
- Paris — Sécurité Sociale, CAF housing benefit, Navigo pass
- Lisbon — SEF appointment (non-EU), NIF tax number
- Vienna — Meldezettel, Wiener Linien annual pass
- Warsaw — PESEL number, ZTM transit card
- Rome — Codice Fiscale, university canteen access
- Edinburgh — council tax exemption, NHS registration
- Montreal — CAQ permit (non-EU), RAMQ health insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for an exchange semester in Europe?
It depends on your nationality. EU/EEA citizens do not need a visa within the EU but must often register locally on arrival. Non-EU students staying more than 90 days need a national student visa. Processing times: France (2–6 weeks), Germany (4–8 weeks), Netherlands (2–4 weeks). Apply at least 3 months early.
What is the difference between Erasmus+ and a bilateral exchange?
Erasmus+ is the EU-funded mobility program — it provides a monthly grant and applies only between participating European institutions. A bilateral exchange is a private agreement between two universities worldwide — it offers a tuition waiver but no EU grant. Most non-European students participate in bilateral exchanges. Read our full program types guide.
How much money should I budget for a semester abroad?
Monthly costs range from €700–800 (Warsaw, Krakow, Porto) to €1,500–2,000 (Paris, Amsterdam, London). Read our Study Abroad Budget Guide 2026 for a city-by-city comparison.
What insurance do I need for a semester abroad?
EU/EEA students within the EU should get the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) — free, covers emergency care. Non-EU students and all students going outside the EU need international student health insurance. France mandates local Sécurité Sociale; Germany mandates GKV enrollment.
When should I start the pre-departure process?
Start 6 months before departure for visa-required destinations. For EU-to-EU moves, 3 months is workable — but housing in high-demand cities (Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona) should be booked as early as possible.
Official sources for study abroad checklist
Use these external resources to validate the numbers and rules in this study abroad checklist guide.