European Union - Erasmus+ Traineeships

What Erasmus+ Traineeships gives you

You will receive approximately 750 EUR per month to undertake an internship abroad for 2 to 12 months. The exact amount depends on the cost of living in the country in question. In more expensive countries such as France, Italy, Austria or the Nordic countries, you will be paid around 750 EUR; in cheaper countries, around 690 EUR. In addition to the monthly grant, you can receive a flat-rate travel allowance based on distance, a bonus for eco-friendly travel if you avoid flying, and free access to an online language course. You can also apply for an additional 250 EUR per month if you are the first in your family to study, have a disability or chronic illness, have children, or work whilst studying. The programme is funded by the European Commission and administered through your own university.

Who can apply

• Your university: You are enrolled at a higher education institution that holds an Erasmus+ Charter (ECHE) – the licence that enables it to offer Erasmus+ work placements. Most higher education institutions in Erasmus+ countries hold such a charter.
• Level: You may be at any stage of your studies: short course, Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD. Graduates who have recently completed their studies may also take part, provided that the work placement begins and ends within 12 months of graduation and that you apply before your name is removed from the register of students.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply, provided that their university is located in an Erasmus+ country (the 27 EU Member States as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey).
• Where you go: Any country other than your home country. You may be employed by a company, a research institute, a laboratory or another employer, but not by an EU institution or agency.
• The placement: The work placement must last at least 2 months and be relevant to your degree programme or career path. Where possible, it should count towards your degree. Both paid and unpaid, compulsory and voluntary work placements are permitted.
• Time budget: For each cycle of study (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD), you are entitled to up to 12 months of Erasmus+ funding, which is divided between study periods and work placements.

How to apply

First, find an internship placement yourself, for example via the Erasmus Intern portal (erasmusintern.org). You should then apply via the International Office or the Erasmus+ Office at your own university. There is no standard EU-wide application deadline: each university sets its own deadline, usually at least four weeks before your placement begins, and your university decides who will receive funding.

How realistic are your chances?

This is one of the most accessible EU funding programmes. It is open to all disciplines, all years of study and all nationalities, and there is no centralised selection process. The biggest hurdle is of a more practical nature: It’s about finding a suitable placement abroad and submitting your application documents by the deadline, rather than competing against other applicants. If you’re enrolled at an Erasmus+ university and organise your placement well in advance, your prospects are good.