Erasmus+ is the European Union's programme for education, training, youth and sport. It funds students, young people, teachers and youth workers to study, train, teach and take part in international projects across Europe and beyond, with a budget of more than €26 billion for 2021 to 2027. Last updated: 2026.
Erasmus+ at a glance:
💶 More than €26 billion of EU funding for the 2021 to 2027 period.
👫 Youth Exchanges and Youth Participation Activities are open to young people aged 13 to 30.
🌍 33 countries take part fully: the 27 EU Member States plus 6 associated countries.
🎒 Youth Exchanges last 5 to 21 days and training activities for youth workers last 2 to 60 days, travel days excluded.
✈️ Travel is funded by distance band, and daily subsistence is funded per host country.
According to Youth Works Hub, Erasmus+ is more than a university exchange: the youth side holds a wide range of funded opportunities.
What Is Erasmus+? 💙
Erasmus+ is not a single project but a whole ecosystem of funded opportunities that connect people across borders. It is built around four priorities:
✨ Inclusion and diversity, promoting equal opportunities and access, including for people with fewer opportunities.
🌱 Environment and the fight against climate change, embedding green practices into projects.
💻 Digital transformation, building the skills of the future.
🗳️ Participation in democratic life, encouraging young people to shape society.
This page is your overview. For the full deep dive, read our complete guide to what Erasmus+ is.
Who Is Erasmus+ For? 👥
Erasmus+ is not only for university students. It is open to a wide audience:
🎓 Students who want to study or do a traineeship abroad.
👩🏫 Teachers, trainers and educators looking for professional development.
🤝 Youth workers and NGO staff who work with young people.
👫 Young people aged 13 to 30, through Youth Exchanges and Youth Participation Activities.
For Youth Exchanges, eligibility is set by age and by where you live, not by grades or diplomas. See exactly who can apply and the age limits for each activity.
What Can You Do With Erasmus+? 🚀
Erasmus+ is a menu of opportunities. Here is each one, with a link to its full guide.
Study Abroad and Traineeships 🎓
University students can study at a partner university for 2 months (or one academic term) up to 12 months, with a learning agreement that ensures full recognition of their studies, or do a traineeship abroad lasting 2 to 12 months. A student can take part in mobility periods totalling up to 12 months per study cycle. Browse current internships and traineeships, and for full master's scholarships see Erasmus Mundus.
Youth Exchanges 🌍
Group projects of 5 to 21 days that bring young people aged 13 to 30 from different countries together around a topic of their interest. A great first international experience. Read what a Youth Exchange is.
Training Courses, Seminars and Youth Worker Mobility 🎤
Learning activities for youth workers, lasting 2 to 60 days, from training courses and seminars to study visits and job shadowing. Learn about Training Courses, thematic Erasmus+ seminars, and mobility of youth workers and job shadowing.
Youth Participation Activities 🗳️
Projects that help young people aged 13 to 30 take part in democratic life and make their voices heard in their communities. See how Youth Participation Activities work.
DiscoverEU 🚆
A travel pass for 18-year-olds to explore Europe, mainly by rail. See what DiscoverEU is and how to apply.
Erasmus+ and Its Sister Programme, the ESC 🤝
If volunteering is your goal, the European Union runs a separate but closely linked programme: the European Solidarity Corps. Read the complete guide to the ESC, and see how ESC and Erasmus+ differ so you can pick the right one. The two programmes also have different country lists, so check which list applies to you.
Where Can You Go With Erasmus+? 🗺️
33 countries take part fully in Erasmus+:
🏛️ The 27 EU Member States.
🤝 6 associated countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye.
🌐 Some activities also involve partner countries beyond these 33, for example in the Western Balkans, the Eastern Partnership region and the South Mediterranean.
See the full list of eligible countries for both Erasmus+ and the ESC.
How Is Erasmus+ Funded? 💰
Erasmus+ grants support the main costs of taking part. Here is how it works in Youth Exchanges:
✈️ A travel contribution based on distance, explained in travel reimbursement and distance bands.
🏠 Daily subsistence during the activity, funded as an amount per day that depends on the host country.
🛡️ Insurance: every participant must be insured, and the organisers choose the policy.
🛂 Visa and residence permit costs, which can be covered as exceptional costs. See visa and residence permits.
⚠️ One honest note: travel is paid as a fixed contribution per distance band, so it may not cover your whole ticket. Some projects may ask for a small participant contribution; the rules say it must be very low, clearly justified and explained to you, and it can never be asked from participants with fewer opportunities. For the full breakdown, see what Erasmus+ covers.
Why Join Erasmus+? 💬
Because it is more than education, it is transformation:
🌍 Discover new cultures and perspectives
👫 Meet people who become lifelong friends
💬 Learn or improve foreign languages
💼 Gain skills that boost your career
📜 Get your learning recognised, for example with a Youthpass certificate
How to Apply for Erasmus+ 🧭
The basic path looks like this:
1️⃣ Find an opportunity that matches your goal among open Erasmus+ projects.
2️⃣ Read the listing carefully: dates, age, country and what is covered.
3️⃣ Prepare your CV and a strong motivation letter.
4️⃣ Apply through the official link in the listing, or through your university or youth organisation.
For the detail, read our step by step how to apply guide, learn how to write a motivation letter, prepare your Europass CV, and check our 10 application tips.
Want the Full Story? 📖
This page is your overview. For the in-depth version, with history, each activity explained in detail and a full FAQ, read our complete guide to Erasmus+.
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
What is Erasmus+ in simple terms?
Erasmus+ is the EU programme that funds students, young people, teachers and youth workers to study, train, teach and join international projects across Europe and beyond.
Who can take part in Erasmus+?
Students, teachers, youth workers, NGO staff and young people aged 13 to 30 for Youth Exchanges and Youth Participation Activities. Youth Exchange eligibility is set by age and residence.
Which countries take part in Erasmus+?
The 27 EU Member States and 6 associated countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye. Some activities also involve partner countries beyond these.
Is Erasmus+ free?
Erasmus+ youth activities are EU-funded to cover your main costs: travel by distance band and daily subsistence. The travel band is a fixed contribution, so it may not cover your whole ticket. Organisers may ask for a small participant contribution, which must be very low, justified and explained to you, and never from participants with fewer opportunities.
How big is Erasmus+?
The 2021 to 2027 programme has a budget of more than €26 billion.
What is the difference between Erasmus+ and the ESC?
Erasmus+ covers a broad range of learning mobility, while the European Solidarity Corps focuses specifically on volunteering and solidarity, with its own country list.
Find Your Erasmus+ Opportunity 🚀
Youth Works Hub lists open Erasmus+ opportunities across Europe, updated regularly and free to browse.
👉 Explore Erasmus+ projects: youthworkshub.org/category/erasmus-projects
