Erasmus+ Scholarship: What you need to know
If you are studying at a European partner university, you will receive financial support through the Erasmus+ programme to help cover your expenses.
When you apply for your semester abroad, the staff at the International Office will automatically include you in the programme; no separate application for the scholarship is required.
The countries participating in the Erasmus+ programme are divided into three groups based on the local cost of living. Below, we have provided a concise overview of all the important information you need regarding the scholarship.
Scholarship Amount for the Academic Year 2024/25, which includes a study abroad period during the winter semester 2024/25 and summer semester 2025:
For one-semester stays, we provide funding for a maximum of 120 days (4 months). For two-semester stays, the funding covers a maximum of 240 days (8 months).
Country Group 1 (€600 per month):
Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Sweden
Country Group 2 (€540 per month):
Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Cyprus
Country Group 3 (€540 per month):
Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, Hungary
Top Ups Erasmus+ 2022-27
Inclusion and equal opportunities are central concerns of the Erasmus+ program. The program aims to achieve the goal of more equal opportunities and inclusion in all areas of education through various measures and opportunities. A key component in the higher education sector is additional financial support for participants with fewer opportunities via top-ups and real cost funding. In order to enable even more people with fewer opportunities to participate in the program in the future, the National Agency for Erasmus+ University Cooperation at the DAAD (NA DAAD) has expanded the target groups for receiving additional financial support and simplified access conditions in addition to increasing the scholarship rates for students. From the winter semester 2022/23, students with a disability or chronic illness, students with children, students from a non-academic background and working students can receive a top-up amount. Students with a disability or chronic illness and students with children can claim real costs. The information provided on special funding is checked by the International Office on a random basis.
It is important to note that the special funding must be applied for before the start of the mobility.
All beneficiaries of a top-up grant receive a lump sum of 250 euros per month in addition to their Erasmus grant. It does not matter whether the stay is for study or internship purposes. The top-up is only applied once and is not cumulative. This means that a first degree student taking their child abroad and a student suffering from a chronic illness both receive 250 euros per month. Students who are abroad for short-term mobility (e.g. BIPs) receive a one-off top-up grant of 100 or 150 euros, depending on the duration of their stay. The top-up grant is only paid subject to the availability of funds.
Top-up funding for students who are taking one or more children abroad. The amount of the top-up is independent of the number of children. It is also possible to apply if the other parent is traveling with the child, but double funding of the child is excluded (e.g. if the other parent also receives Erasmus+).
Top-up funding for students in employment. The employment must have been carried out continuously for at least six months in relation to the mobility. The period of employment must fall within a time window of 6 months before applying for the mobility and the time of the start of the mobility.
A prerequisite for eligibility is that the gainful employment in the sending country is not continued during the stay abroad. Notice of termination is not a prerequisite; the employment contract can also be paused. During the minimum period of employment prior to application, monthly earnings must be above EUR 450 and below EUR 850 (total net earnings from all activities per month).
Top-up funding for students for first-time graduates. Students whose parents or legal guardians do not have a degree from a university or university of applied sciences are eligible for special funding. A degree from a vocational academy that leads to a degree comparable to a university degree is considered an academic degree. Qualifying documents awarded by professional chambers or professional bodies under public law (e.g. master craftsman's certificates) do not count as academic qualifications.
Degree courses completed abroad by one of the parents that are not recognized as such in Germany (e.g. physiotherapy) count as an academic degree in the context of the eligibility criteria for receiving additional funding, meaning that there is no entitlement to the top-up amount.
For a semester abroad:
You apply for funding by answering the relevant questions on special funding in the Mobility online portal and uploading the signed declaration of honor by the deadline specified in the "Additional funding" email.
For your internship abroad:
For an internship abroad, you must provide the information on special funding on the application form. You must then complete the declaration on your honor and sign it to confirm that you are eligible for special funding.
Additional travel allowance
Starting with the Erasmus+ Call 2025 (applicable from the winter semester 2025/26 for study stays), you will receive a travel allowance in addition to your regular scholarship. This allowance will be paid out together with your grant and is based on the travel distance. The travel allowances differ between “standard travel” (e.g. by plane) and “green travel” (sustainable travel). You can apply for the travel allowance directly in your application through your Mobility Online workflow.
Additional Travel days
Did you know that in addition to your travel costs, you can also apply for travel days? The program distinguishes between standard travel (travel by plane or single car journeys) and sustainable travel (bus, train, bicycle, carpooling). It is important that these additionally funded days are used exclusively for travel, meaning no lectures or programs at the partner university may be attended on these days. Please apply for the necessary travel days based on the overview provided by the International Office to ensure uniformity. For reasons of fairness in the application process, the starting point of travel is always Frankfurt am Main.
This option is available to participants (both students and university staff) who
have a disability (degree of disability 20+),
have a chronic illness,
or who take their children with them abroad.
In these cases, the grant amount will be calculated according to your individual needs and paid in addition to the regular Erasmus+ funding rate. Please note that only additional costs can be covered which
are not covered by national agencies (integration offices, health insurance funds, regional authorities, social services, student unions), and
are incurred by you due to the stay abroad. This includes, for example, flight costs and accommodation costs for accompanying assistants or for barrier-free accommodation.
A maximum of €15,000 per semester and €30,000 per academic year per mobility can be applied for.
Since you must document the difference between costs at home and abroad, please allow sufficient time for the application process and contact the International Office at least six months before the start of your mobility.