- The Erasmus+ studies call offers short and long-term mobility in program countries and non-associated third countries, with specific academic and linguistic requirements.
- The financial aid combines Erasmus+ scholarships, additional support for students with fewer opportunities, and other complementary scholarships such as Santander, MOBINT, and aid from public administrations.
- The stays are academically recognized through a learning agreement, certificates of stay and registration in the academic record, without payment of tuition fees at the destination university.
- The deadlines and procedures (application, allegations, withdrawals and banking procedures) are strict and condition both the allocation of a place and the full payment of the aid.
If you're thinking about spending a semester or two at another university and that sounds familiar... Erasmus+ studies but you're not sure where to startThis guide is designed specifically for you. Here you will find, explained clearly and in simple Spanish, exactly what the Erasmus+ study program is, who can apply, how long the exchanges last, how much money you can receive, and what procedures you can't overlook.
Throughout the text, the following are integrated the most common conditions used by Spanish universities (Deadlines, requirements, indicative amounts, and compatibility) based on actual calls for applications. The idea is that, when you finish reading, you'll know what options you have both in European countries and in non-associated third countries, what documents you'll have to sign, and what mistakes to avoid so you don't lose either the place or the grant.
What is the Erasmus+ studies call and what modalities does it include?
The call Erasmus+ call for student mobility for study purposes (KA131 action) is the annual procedure by which universities allocate places for their students to complete part of their official studies at another higher education institution, within or outside Europe, while maintaining enrollment at their home university.
A typical course offers mobility opportunities in Program Countries (European Union and assimilated), as well as in certain non-associated third countriesThese places are usually grouped into two main blocks or mobility categories, which may vary slightly depending on each university but follow a similar pattern.
On one hand, there are the places in the so-called modality Erasmus+ Europe and partner countriesThese include universities in the 27 EU member states and other territories associated with the program. On the other hand, positions are being advertised for exchange with non-associated third countries, often framed within each institution's own internationalization plan.
Many universities also specify that students can to apply simultaneously for an Erasmus+ placement in program countries and another in non-associated third countriesHowever, if they are ultimately selected for both options during the same mobility period, they will have to give up one of the two before leaving.
Available destinations: program countries and non-associated third countries
Within the so-called Erasmus+ Programme countries for studies The 27 Member States of the European Union are included, as well as the EFTA and European Economic Area countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Candidate countries such as Turkey, Serbia, and North Macedonia are also included, and the United Kingdom's participation is usually considered under specific agreements.
Along with them, many calls for proposals mention the existence of a specific program with Switzerland (Swiss-European Mobility Programme, SEMP)Although Switzerland is outside the Erasmus+ program, the places agreed with its universities are still offered in the calls for applications, with the peculiarity that the funding is processed directly with the Swiss authorities and does not come from EU funds.
In the other block are the third countries not associated with the programThese programs allow students to pursue academic experiences outside of Europe. Common destinations include Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, and Uruguay, among others. Not all universities have agreements with all these countries, so it's essential to carefully review the list of available places for each application period.
Furthermore, some institutions group some of their places within alliances of European universities, as is the case with Ulysseus, Arqus, and other networks. Thanks to these consortia, students, teaching and research staff, and administrative personnel can move more easily between various universities, with automatic credit recognition and access to professional internships and joint projects.
Application deadlines and basic documentation
Each university sets its own dates, but as a reference, there are calls for applications where the application submission deadline It takes place at the beginning of December and extends until the middle of the month. A typical example would be a period from December 2nd to 19th, designed to allocate places well in advance of the following academic year.
The official publication of the call for applications usually includes a Detailed list of positions by qualification, destination and requirementsas well as a Procedures Guide explaining the steps to follow at each stage of the process (application, allocation, acceptance of a place, resignations, appeals, etc.). This guide may be available from the start or published shortly thereafter.
The application is almost always made through the university's electronic platform or from its electronic headquarters, where students must fill in their academic data, indicate the destinations in order of preference and upload, where applicable, language certificates and other supporting documentation.
After the deadline closes, the results are published provisional lists of selected, alternate and excluded applicationsIt is important to understand that these lists do not yet confer any rights to the positions and may change until the final lists are published. They serve to verify that the requirements are met and to review the evaluation of merits (grade point average, language skills, etc.).
Who can apply for an Erasmus+ study mobility
Participation in the call is open to short cycle students, undergraduate, master's and doctoral studentsprovided they are enrolled in a higher education institution that formally participates in the Erasmus+ program and their studies lead to an official degree or a higher-level qualification.
To be eligible for mobility programs, the period of study abroad must be academically relevant to the student's curriculum and form part of their educational program. It's not about taking random courses, but about building a Learning Agreement that makes sense within the academic pathway.
At universities like the UAM, for example, it is emphasized that the Erasmus student remains, for all intents and purposes, student at his home universityYou do not obtain a new degree from the host institution, but the subjects passed there are recognized in your own curriculum, after registering for the corresponding credits at your home university.
Furthermore, the calls for applications often emphasize that participating in Erasmus involves a significant change in the student's life and requires personal maturityThis is the first time many people have lived away from home and in another language, so responsibility is expected when managing administrative procedures, providing documentation, meeting deadlines, and communicating with international relations services.
Duration of stays and study cycles
Erasmus+ studies distinguish between mobilities of Long duration and mobilities of short durationwith clear limits per study cycle. Long-term mobility usually involves a minimum of two months and a maximum of twelve months abroad, including possible virtual components combined with in-person learning.
Short-term mobility, meanwhile, encompasses stays of between five and thirty days abroad and must be combined mobility programs, meaning they mix a physical period with a virtual component. Within this reduced format, the regulations provide an exception: only doctoral students can undertake a short-term mobility program without a virtual component.
Taken together, a maximum total duration of twelve months mobility is limited to one Erasmus+ placement per study cycle (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD). This means that several Erasmus+ placements can be undertaken during the same cycle, provided that the total number of months does not exceed this limit.
For long single-cycle study programs — such as Medicine or Architecture — it is permitted mobility of up to twenty-four months abroadspread over one or more stays. This compensates for the longer duration of these studies compared to other degrees.
When we talk about a "cycle," we are referring to the level of studies as defined in the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), which orders the titles by levels according to the associated skills and learning outcomes.
Academic costs, fees and exemptions
During the Erasmus+ study period, the home or host university signs an agreement with the student scholarship agreement or grant agreementThese institutions are the ones that request funding from national agencies or the European Commission on behalf of their students, and they manage the payments.
If you are awarded an Erasmus+ grant, you will not have to pay academic, tuition or examination fees at the host university, nor are there any rights of access to laboratories or libraries. However, they may charge smaller fees for things like insurance, student association memberships, or similar services specific to the host institution.
The Erasmus+ grant amount is conceived as a contribution towards travel and daily living expensesnot as a full salary. The amounts vary depending on the difference in the cost of living between the country of origin and the destination country, the number of applications received, the geographical distance, and the existence of other supplementary sources of funding.
To expedite payments, many universities recommend that students upload a [document/information] to their personal area. bank account ownership certificateIn some cases, the call for applications also specifies that the IBAN must belong to a specific bank (for example, Banco Santander, in the case of certain supplementary scholarships).
Indicative amounts of Erasmus+ KA131 grants
In Spain, SEPIE (Spanish Service for the Internationalization of Education) It is the body responsible for distributing funds from the European Union and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training for Erasmus+ grants. Based on this, universities publish tables of amounts according to country groups and type of funding.
Taking Erasmus KA131 projects from 2024 and 2025 as a reference, the monthly amounts of individual support per destination country are organized into several groups. In the Group 1In countries including Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden, standard aid is around 350 euros per month.
El Group 2 It covers countries such as Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Cyprus, with indicative amounts of around 300 euros per month. In the Group 3 Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Turkey are included, with aid of around 250 euros per month.
In addition to the base support, the regulations provide for a monthly supplement for students with fewer opportunitieswhich can reach an additional 250 euros per month for all country groups, provided there is sufficient budget and certain economic or health requirements are met.
In the case of Switzerland, which is not part of the Erasmus+ program, places with Swiss universities are still offered, but The aid does not come from European fundsThose who obtain one of these places must arrange for funding directly with the Swiss government through the Swiss-European Mobility Programme.
Eco-friendly travel and transportation assistance
Along with monthly support for living expenses, many Erasmus KA131 projects include a Specific travel assistancecalculated according to the distance between the country of origin and the destination. Several kilometer ranges are established with an associated maximum amount.
For example, for distances between 100 and 499 kilometers, the assistance can be around 211 EurosThis increases to around 285 euros if you opt for what is called an eco-friendly trip. For distances between 500 and 1999 kilometers, the amount is usually around 309 euros (417 euros in the eco-friendly version), and so on up to stretches of 8000 to 19999 kilometers, where a particularly high level of support is reached.
In addition, there is a additional amount associated with the ecological displacement For distances up to 3999 kilometers. This add-on provides increased travel assistance and can add up to six extra days of individual support, with the aim of offsetting time and costs associated with more sustainable modes of transport.
An eco-friendly trip is understood to be one that is carried out primarily in train, bus or carpoolAvoiding air travel whenever possible. To receive this supplement, the student must justify the type of transportation used at the end of their stay by completing the form provided by their university and attaching a signed declaration or any other required documents.
The payment for the ecological supplement is not usually made at the beginning, but once the mobility is finishedAfter submitting the certificate of residence and the corresponding form, it is advisable to keep tickets, receipts, or any other proof that may be required later.
Additional support for students with fewer opportunities
The Erasmus+ program specifically takes into account students with fewer opportunitiesThis category encompasses disadvantaged economic situations, limiting health conditions, or complex social circumstances that hinder mobility.
Among the economic causes considered are the perception of general study grants, being a beneficiary of benefits such as the minimum living income or minimum insertion income, or participating in specific scholarship programs (for example, certain regional or social inclusion aid).
In the health sector, this additional support can be requested by those who have recognized disability or documented health problems that pose an obstacle to their participation in international mobility. Other reasons are also considered, which must be justified and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The granting of this supplement of 250 euros per month depends on the budget available in each mobility projectIn some calls for applications, a priority order is established: first, additional aid is assigned for economic reasons, then for health reasons, and finally for other accredited reasons.
At the same time, universities often encourage students with disabilities, physical or mental health problems, or specific support needs to Consult directly with the Erasmus+ coordinator at your center to assess whether they can qualify for extra funding, inclusion support, or other accessibility resources.
Other supplementary aid and scholarships
In addition to the Erasmus+ grant itself, there are others aids that can be combined to better cover the costs of the stay, as explained in scholarships and grants for studying abroadOne of the best known are the Santander Erasmus Scholarships, managed through the Santander Open Academy platform.
At many universities, Banco Santander offers a limited number of supplementary scholarships, for example, 40 grants of 1000 euros for the corresponding mobility course. These grants are usually awarded based on the participation grade or the criteria used in the Erasmus selection process, prioritizing those who have received a general grant from the Ministry or who have a disability of 33% or more.
The usual procedure requires that the student submit the application within the deadline —which can close, for example, on April 30— and that meets certain formal requirements: sign the grant agreement, fill in the bank details with an IBAN from Banco Santander in the corresponding application, deliver the certificate of arrival and sign the declaration of responsibility.
Another very common line is the AGAUR MOBINT scholarship (in the case of Catalonia), which is offered annually to support the international mobility of university students. In previous years, the grant amount has been around 200 euros per month for a maximum of six months, and applications are submitted directly to the regional agency within the deadlines it establishes.
Furthermore, you can find other supplementary aid These grants come from autonomous communities, municipalities, regional councils, foundations, or other organizations. They are usually compatible with Erasmus+ funding and grants from banks or other institutions, unless the terms and conditions of each program expressly state otherwise.
Compatibility with other scholarships and grants
A common question is whether Erasmus+ aid is available. It is compatible with receiving unemployment benefits or other scholarships. intended for stays abroad. The answer depends on the organization that grants the other aid, so it is advisable to consult them specifically before making any decisions.
If the institution granting the subsidy or scholarship indicates that It is not compatible with Erasmus+The student can still participate in the program, but will do so in the so-called "zero scholarship" modality: they will have all academic rights and credit recognition, but will not receive Erasmus+ funding.
This possibility of a zero scholarship also applies when There is not enough budget to finance all the allocated staysIn that case, the university can limit the maximum number of subsidized months or prioritize certain profiles, so that some people travel with full financial aid, others with partial aid, and others without any funding.
In the event of a lack of funding for all, it is relatively common for universities prioritize undergraduate student mobility over master's and doctoral studies (for example, allocating 85% of the aid to undergraduate degrees, 10% to master's degrees and 5% to doctoral degrees) and limiting the percentage of aid allocated to students from affiliated centers versus their own centers.
Therefore, before giving up on a national or regional scholarship that you are receiving, is key contact the responsible organization and explicitly ask about compatibility with Erasmus+ studies, avoiding misunderstandings that could force you to return funds later.
How and when are Erasmus+ grants paid?
Once the place has been awarded and the grant has been confirmed, the universities usually pay the Erasmus+ grant in two payments, by bank transfer to the account that the student has indicated in the academic management system.
The first payment, which usually represents approximately the 70% of the total awardedThis process takes place after the student departs for their destination, provided they have completed several essential procedures. These include digitally signing the grant agreement, filling out and validating bank details in the internal application, submitting the arrival certificate issued by the host university, and signing the travel or liability waiver.
The second payment is made to the return from the stay and covers the remaining amount. To access it, it is mandatory to submit the original certificate of stay, with the exact start and end dates (day, month and year), and complete the final mobility report (EU Survey) that is automatically sent by the European Commission or the national agency.
When calculating the final amount, the following are taken into account the actual days of stayTaking the departure and return dates as a reference, and applying a standard calculation that equates a month to 30 days. If the stay is shorter than initially planned, it is adjusted downwards; if it is extended within the authorized limits and there is a budget, it is revised upwards.
If, after a certain period has elapsed since the end of the academic year (for example, until September 10th of the year following the stay), the student has not submitted all the required documentation, He can be considered to have renounced the scholarship. and demand the return of amounts already paid. Failure to meet deadlines for the delivery of certificates and reports entails the obligation to return all money received.
Academic recognition of studies completed
Before starting the mobility period, the home university, the host university, and the student themselves sign an agreement. Learning Agreement, which includes the subjects or activities that will be carried out outside and how they will be recognized upon return.
This document guarantees that All parties are clear on the preparationsIt defines how the credits passed will be counted in the student's record and establishes the rights and responsibilities of each actor involved (students, home university and host university).
During the stay, the student takes and passes the agreed-upon courses at the host university. Upon completion, the university issues a official academic certificate with the grades obtained and the number of credits, which is sent both to the interested party and to their home university.
The institution of origin must then recognize those creditsUsing the ECTS system or an equivalent, and incorporating them into the academic record without imposing additional academic requirements. The mobility must also be recorded in the European Diploma Supplement, provided the university issues one.
Along with the learning agreement, the student receives the Erasmus+ Student Charter, where their rights (such as exemption from fees at the destination, academic recognition, language support, etc.) and their obligations (comply with academic regulations, submit reports, respect deadlines and procedures, among others) are explained.
Requirements of participating institutions and European networks
In order for an Erasmus+ study mobility to take place, the The home university and the host university must have a signed inter-institutional agreement. specifying the degrees involved, the number of exchange places and the general conditions of collaboration.
Both institutions, whether located in EU Member States or in third countries associated with the program, They must have the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE), which sets out the principles and commitments for participation in Erasmus+. Institutions located in non-associated third countries commit to following these principles when they sign interinstitutional agreements.
In recent years, the European Commission has also promoted the alliances of European universitiesThese initiatives bring together centers from different countries to create inter-university campuses with high mobility. One example is Ulysseus, led by the University of Seville along with universities from France, Italy, Slovakia, Austria, Finland, Germany, and Montenegro.
This Ulysseus alliance involves tens of thousands of university students and staff, and seeks eliminate barriers to mobility, promote internships in international companies, encourage joint research projects and offer automatic credit recognition among the institutions that comprise it.
Thanks to these consortia, students can move more easily between various universities in different countries, designing more flexible training itineraries adapted to their interests, within frameworks such as Erasmus+ studies and other internationalization initiatives.
Linguistic support and prior preparation
One of the pillars of the program is the language learning supportThrough Erasmus+ online language support, students can take level tests and access courses to improve the language in which they will study or work before and during their mobility.
This support is complemented by resources that the universities themselves can offer, such as voluntary language classes, cultural workshops, or mentoring from students who have already participated in Erasmus. Taking advantage of these opportunities facilitates academic and social integration in the host country.
Beyond language, the Erasmus experience requires a good dose of autonomy and organizational capacityBefore leaving, the student must take care of multiple tasks: finding accommodation, checking insurance, processing the European health card or private insurance, preparing visa documentation when necessary, and making sure they meet the requirements of the host university.
International relations offices and mobility services help with information and guidance, but they insist that The ultimate responsibility lies with the student.This includes paying attention to official communications, checking institutional email, and responding promptly to requests for documentation.
Those who get involved in these preparations from the beginning make the most of their stay, as they travel with the administrative issues sorted out and can focus on the academic and personal aspects of the Erasmus+ experience.
Provisional lists, claims and withdrawals
A key phase of the process is the provisional lists of allocated places, in which the university publishes who has been selected, who is listed as a substitute and who is excluded, along with the scores obtained in each criterion (average grade, language, additional merits, etc.).
These documents indicate that the list is provisional and does not generate rights over the placesThis serves to verify that the data is correct and that the assessment has been carried out in accordance with the terms of the call for applications. Before submitting an appeal, it is generally recommended to carefully read the frequently asked questions section, particularly the one dedicated to interpreting the provisional lists.
It is common that, when language proficiency is a minimum requirement for the position and the student presents exactly the required level, the linguistic note appears as 0.000 in the list. This does not mean that it was not valued, but rather that this level meets the requirement, but does not add extra points as a merit.
If you detect an error or believe that merits you submitted are missing, you can submit allegations within the established deadlineThis period can run, for example, from December 16th to January 9th. It is done through a specific procedure on the electronic portal, attaching the supporting documentation. Claims submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
During the same period, it is also possible withdraw from participation in the process Place allocation can be requested by submitting a general application to the international relations office via the electronic portal. It is important to clearly indicate whether the withdrawal applies to all options or only some of them.
If you have applied for destinations under different programs (for example, Erasmus+ Europe and exchange programs with third countries), and you want an appeal to be considered for both, you will need to submit one claim for each modality, since they are usually processed through separate administrative procedures.
After reviewing the allegations presented, the university publishes the final listswhich do generate rights over the awarded places and close the selection phase, giving way to the confirmation of places, definitive resignations and preparation for mobility.
This whole network of requirements, deadlines, amounts, and procedures makes the Erasmus+ studies call a process that It needs to be taken seriouslyBut it more than makes up for it when you enjoy a well-funded stayacademically recognized and, moreover, It opens personal and professional doors. difficult to achieve otherwise.