Quick answer: Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport. For a university student, “doing Erasmus” usually means studying or completing a traineeship abroad through their institution, with an agreed learning plan and possible EU financial support. You apply through your home institution, not directly to the European Commission.
In this guide
Erasmus+ in one table
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who applies? | A student enrolled in an eligible institution; the institution manages the mobility application |
| How long? | Long-term study mobility is normally 2–12 months; blended short mobility follows separate rules |
| Where? | Destinations covered by your institution’s agreements and Erasmus+ project |
| Tuition at the host? | No tuition, registration, examination or laboratory/library access fees under Erasmus+ study mobility rules |
| Credits? | Agreed before departure and recorded after the stay for recognition |
| Funding? | A contribution that varies by route and grant agreement; it may not cover the full cost |
What happens step by step?
- Check your institution’s call. Look for eligible faculties, partners, dates, language requirements and selection criteria.
- Apply internally. Your home institution selects or nominates students for the available places.
- Agree the study plan. The Learning Agreement records the educational components and expected recognition.
- Sign the grant agreement. This confirms the funding and payment conditions that apply to you.
- Complete the mobility. Study or train abroad and keep evidence of approved changes.
- Close the recognition process. The Transcript of Records or equivalent evidence supports recognition at home.
Who can participate?
For higher-education study mobility, the official programme requires you to be enrolled in studies leading to a recognised degree or tertiary-level qualification. The stay must form part of your study programme. Your institution must participate in the relevant Erasmus+ framework and have the required agreement with the receiving institution.
Nationality is not the only test. An international student enrolled at a participating European institution may be eligible. Conversely, being an EU citizen does not create a place if the institution or faculty has no agreement for the destination. Your international office makes the institutional eligibility check.
How long can Erasmus last?
The European Commission states that long-term study mobility lasts from a minimum of two months to a maximum of 12 months. The usual total limit is 12 months of physical mobility within one study cycle, although one-cycle degrees such as medicine or architecture can have a higher total limit. Blended short-term mobility follows different duration and virtual-component rules.
What does the Erasmus+ grant cover?
The grant contributes to travel and living costs. It is not a fixed Europe-wide salary. Your amount can depend on the route, sending country, destination category, duration and available top-ups. Use the amount in your grant agreement, not a figure copied from another student’s year.
Plan rent, deposit, food, transport, insurance and travel separately. The Erasmus+ grant guide explains the funding framework, while the exchange cost guide calculates the total semester.
How do credits return home?
The Learning Agreement sets out what you will study and how it fits your degree. The receiving institution later documents the results. ECTS makes workload easier to compare, but the matching decision belongs to the institutions. Read the ECTS guide for workload and recognition, and use the separate OLA guide for the form itself.
Erasmus+, exchange and Erasmus Mundus are different
- Erasmus+ study mobility: a temporary, institution-managed period abroad within your current degree.
- Bilateral exchange: a temporary mobility under a university agreement that may not have Erasmus+ funding.
- Study abroad: the umbrella term, including exchanges, visiting programmes and full degrees.
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master: a complete joint master’s programme with its own application and possible scholarship.
Use the programme comparison if you are deciding which label applies to you.
What Erasmus+ does not decide
The programme does not tell you whether a room is affordable, whether your exact modules are taught in English or whether a commute is sensible. After confirming eligibility, compare destination housing, campus location, visa rules and the teaching language. The Odisea destination test helps narrow the city list; your institution remains the final source for academic approval.
Frequently asked questions
Do I apply directly to Erasmus+?
No. For university study mobility, start with the international or Erasmus office at your home institution. It publishes the call, selects candidates and manages the grant process.
Is Erasmus+ only in Europe?
Most familiar student mobility is within European programme countries, but Erasmus+ also includes international cooperation routes. Whether a specific non-European destination is available depends on your institution’s project and agreement.
Can non-EU students do Erasmus+?
Potentially, yes. Enrolment at an eligible participating institution and the applicable agreement are central. Ask your institution to confirm eligibility and funding for your case.
Does Erasmus+ guarantee credit recognition?
The programme provides a recognition framework, but the courses and changes must be properly agreed and documented. Keep the signed Learning Agreement and final academic record.
Is the grant enough for the whole stay?
Not necessarily. It is a contribution, and destination costs vary widely. Build the total budget before accepting the place.
Official sources
- European Commission — what is Erasmus+?
- European Commission — studying abroad
- Erasmus+ Programme Guide — higher-education mobility
- Erasmus+ Student Charter
Reviewed 16 September 2026. Calls, partner lists and grant terms vary by institution and academic year.