Erasmus+ Mobilidade – ESSCVP (esscvperasmus.eu)

What you get

You spend part of your studies abroad on Erasmus+ with a monthly grant ("bolsa") set by Portugal's national Erasmus+ agency. You also get free online language support before and during your stay. You can go for one of two reasons: a study exchange at a partner university (3 to 12 months, at least 15 ECTS credits recognised back home) or a traineeship (2 to 12 months, at least 10 ECTS recognised). The credits you earn abroad count towards your Portuguese degree. This programme is run by the health schools of the Portuguese Red Cross (ESSCVP), which have partner institutions in countries such as Spain, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Austria, Poland and the Netherlands. If no funded place is left, you may still be offered a "bolsa zero": you go abroad without the grant.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are enrolled at one of the three ESSCVP schools: Lisboa, ESSNorteCVP (Oliveira de Azeméis) or Alto Tâmega (Chaves).
• Level: You are a bachelor (licenciatura) or master (mestrado) student. Recent graduates can also go on a traineeship, up to one year after finishing.
• Field of study: You study a health subject offered by your school, such as nursing, physiotherapy, osteopathy, medical imaging and radiotherapy, cardiopulmonary science, podiatry or acupuncture.
• Fees paid: You have no tuition owing. At Lisboa, being two or more monthly fees behind rules you out.
• Not recently abroad: ESSCVP Lisboa graduates who already did an Erasmus+ stay in the last 12 months cannot go again.
• Grades and progress: Places are ranked, so your results matter. Selection favours students in a higher year, with fewer credits still to pass and a good weighted average.

How to apply

You apply online through the ESSCVP Erasmus portal during the application window. For 2026/2027 it runs from 10 to 28 February 2026 for bachelor and master students. You list three partner institutions in order of preference. Your school coordinators then rank the applicants within about two weeks. A motivation letter or interview is usually only used to break ties.

How realistic are your chances?

This programme is open only to students at three specific Red Cross health schools in Portugal, so the applicant pool is small rather than nationwide. Places are ranked by year of study, credits passed and grades. A student who is well into their degree with a solid record and no outstanding fees has good prospects. If a funded spot runs out, the unpaid "bolsa zero" option means you can still go abroad.