Quick answer: the Erasmus+ study grant for 2026 typically pays €250–600 per month. Your sending country’s national agency sets the exact figure inside EU-wide bands, scaled by which cost-of-living group your destination falls into. Traineeships add roughly €150/month. Students with fewer opportunities can add about €250/month. It will not cover a full month in most cities — here is what it pays, what stacks on top, and how to plan the gap.
In this guide
How the Erasmus+ grant is calculated
- Who sends you. Each national agency fixes its own amounts within the European bands. A Spanish and a German student sharing a flat in Lisbon can receive different grants for the same semester.
- Where you go. Destinations sit in one of three cost-of-living groups. Higher group, higher monthly rate.
| Destination group | Countries | Typical monthly grant* |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 — higher cost | Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden | €350–600 |
| Group 2 — medium cost | Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain | €300–550 |
| Group 3 — lower cost | Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Turkey | €250–500 |
*Indicative bands under the 2024–2027 framework. The binding figure is the one published by your national agency for your call year — since 2024/25 each university also fixes the exact amount inside the band, so two students from different universities in the same city can be paid differently.
The top-ups most students never claim
- Fewer-opportunities top-up (~€250/month). Eligibility is broader than most people assume — income thresholds, first-generation students, disability and more, all defined nationally. If any of it might apply to you, ask your international office. Plenty of eligible students never file for it.
- Green travel top-up. A one-off bonus plus extra funded travel days for taking train or bus instead of flying.
- Traineeship supplement (~€150/month). Work placements pay more than study mobility, because they come with no student housing or campus meal access.
- National and regional layers. Ministries, regions and individual universities stack their own grants on top of Erasmus+. This layer varies enormously by sending country and often matches the European base — check your national agency and your region separately.
KA131 vs KA171: why some grants look much bigger
KA131 is mobility inside Europe and follows the bands above. KA171 covers exchanges between European institutions and partner countries outside Europe — different, higher rates plus a distance-based travel supplement. If you are comparing figures you found online and they look far apart, check which of the two you are actually reading.
When the money actually arrives
The pattern that breaks budgets: most agreements pay 70–80% after you arrive and your paperwork is validated — typically somewhere between week 4 and week 10 — with the final 20–30% released after you return and submit your documents. Practical consequence: your first two months run on your own money. Deposit, first rents and setup costs all land before a single euro of grant does.
Grant vs real cost: the honest math
A Group 1 example — Bordeaux at a realistic €850–1,250/month against a €400 grant covers roughly 30–45%. In a Group 3 city like Kraków or Budapest, a similar grant can reach 50–60% of your monthly costs. The gap is not a rounding error; it is the number you actually have to fund.
Run your own city through the Odisea cost calculator — it computes exactly what your support covers and what shortfall is left, using real per-city budgets rather than continental averages.
Not going through Erasmus+?
Bilateral agreements to Canada, Taiwan, Mexico, Australia or the US replace Erasmus+ with destination-specific scholarships — often more generous, but with earlier deadlines. Each Odisea country guide lists what exists for that destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Erasmus grant in 2026?
Typically €250–600 per month for study mobility, depending on your destination group and which national agency sends you. Traineeships run about €150/month higher. Your university publishes the binding figure for your call year.
How much Erasmus funding will I actually get?
Take your destination’s group band, then check your own national agency and university — they set the exact figure within it. Add any fewer-opportunities top-up (~€250/month), green travel bonus, and national or regional grants you qualify for. Those extras frequently exceed the base grant.
Is there an Erasmus grant calculator?
The grant itself is fixed by your agency, so what actually matters is the gap between it and your living costs. The Odisea cost calculator does that side: enter your destination and it returns real monthly costs minus your expected support.
Do I pay tuition at the host university?
No — Erasmus+ students are exempt from tuition, registration and exam fees at the host institution. Small insurance or student-union charges can still apply.
Can I work while receiving the grant?
Yes, the grant is compatible with part-time work. Inside the EU you work under local rules; outside it, your visa sets the weekly cap, usually 15–20 hours.
Can I lose the grant?
Yes — failing the agreed credits or returning early triggers partial repayment under most agreements. Read yours before signing.
When do I apply?
Your university’s call usually opens between November and February for the following academic year. National and regional top-ups run on their own calendars — check those separately.