Erasmus+ allows you to go abroad multiple times during your education, but within strictly defined time limits and study cycles. The key factors are: your mobility “budget,” the duration of each stay, and your home university’s recruitment rules.
Key takeaways
- You can go abroad multiple times, but within a limit of 12 months per study cycle (or 24 months for long-cycle master’s degrees).
- The limit applies jointly to study and traineeships.
- Learning Agreement and ECTS help secure credit recognition.
- The grant amount depends on the host country and does not cover full costs.
- Your home university’s recruitment rules and the coordinator’s decisions are decisive.
How many times can you go on Erasmus? Duration
Under Erasmus, a student can go abroad multiple times for studies and/or traineeships, as long as the total mobility time within one study cycle does not exceed 12 months (and for long-cycle master’s programmes – 24 months).
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How does the 12-month limit and mobility “budget” work?
Your mobility budget is the maximum time you can spend on Erasmus mobility within a given study cycle. For most programmes (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral), the limit is 12 months per cycle. For long-cycle master’s degrees (e.g., medicine, architecture) it is 24 months.
Important:
- the limit includes both studies and traineeships,
- you can go abroad several times by splitting the limit into a semester, a short-term mobility (5–30 days), or a longer stay,
- when you move to the next cycle (e.g., from Bachelor’s to Master’s), the limit resets.
Studies, traineeships and short-term mobility — how to combine them
Erasmus+ offers:
- study mobility (most often one semester or an academic year),
- traineeships (also after graduation),
- short-term mobility (5–30 days, with a virtual component; without the virtual component – only for doctoral candidates).
Examples (specific):
- A student after one semester abroad (5 months) still has 7 months left in that cycle.
- A student who completed a 10-month traineeship during a Bachelor’s cycle has the full 12 months again in the Master’s cycle.
- A graduate may do a traineeship up to 12 months after finishing studies (it counts toward the cycle limit).
How many times and for how long can you go?
| Study cycle | Max total limit | Allowed forms | How to split the limit (examples) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | 12 months | studies, traineeship, short-term | 1 semester (5 m) + traineeship (7 m) |
| Master’s | 12 months | studies, traineeship | 2 × semester (5 m each) |
| Long-cycle master’s | 24 months | studies, traineeship | 1 year (10 m) + traineeship (14 m) |
| Doctoral | 12 months | studies, short-term | 1 semester + 5–30 day trips |
Recruitment and university decisions: what really matters?
Although the programme framework is common, your university (specifically the faculty and the coordinator) sets the recruitment details. Most often they consider:
- academic results and completed courses to date,
- language proficiency and the result of a language test,
- complete documentation (study programme, approvals),
- priority rules (often students going for the first time are preferred).
Remember: operational decisions are made by the sending institution in cooperation with the home institution and the Erasmus coordinator.
Learning Agreement and ECTS — the condition for safe recognition
Each study mobility requires a Learning Agreement, which:
- maps the study programme at the receiving institution to ECTS at the home institution,
- guarantees recognition after return,
- structures the settlement process.
The rule is simple: ECTS credits earned abroad must be recognised without additional conditions if you complete the agreed programme.
Grant rates and top-ups — what you can realistically expect
The Erasmus+ grant is a contribution toward living and stay costs abroad. The grant amount depends on the host country (differences in cost of living), distance, and the available budget. Different grant rates apply for countries such as Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden, Italy, as well as associated countries: Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Serbia, North Macedonia.
Key facts:
- the grant does not cover all costs,
- additional top-ups are available (e.g., for participants with fewer opportunities, disability),
- universities may offer local supplements; lump sums also occur (e.g., EUR 250 for specific purposes).
The Erasmus Charter and student rights
Each participant receives an Erasmus Charter describing students’ rights and obligations in higher education. It is a reference document in disputes about access to facilities, fees, or recognition of learning outcomes.
Countries and destinations — EU and beyond the EU
Erasmus+ does not cover only the EU. Popular destinations include Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden, Italy, as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Serbia and North Macedonia. The country you choose affects grant rates, the academic calendar, and formalities.
When and how can you take part again?
The procedure for a repeat mobility is the same as for the first:
- Submit an application during recruitment (including information about previous mobilities).
- Take the language test (exemptions may apply, outside OLS).
- Wait for the decision and sign the documents.
The restriction concerns only the duration within a study cycle, not the number of trips.
Post-return settlement and the Diploma Supplement
After the mobility ends, the receiving institution issues a record of completed courses, and the home institution recognises the ECTS credits. Information about your mobility is included in the Diploma Supplement, which makes your profile clearer for employers.
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If you are an Erasmus participant and you plan to study in Poland, accommodation is one of the first organisational steps. With Nearby you can easily find a verified student room in Warsaw—regardless of your level of Polish. Our support team helps international students who want to be sure their accommodation is safe, legal, and ready before the semester starts.
Summary
Erasmus participants can apply to go abroad both for studies and for traineeships, while respecting the 12-month limit within one study cycle (e.g., first-cycle/Bachelor’s studies).
Each Erasmus mobility takes place on the basis of an agreement between universities and according to rules approved by the national Erasmus agency and the European Commission.
Financial support—the Erasmus grant—depends on the destination country, and the amount of the top-up for using low-emission means of transport is EUR 250.
FAQ – most frequently asked questions
How many months of study mobility do I have under Erasmus?
Within one study cycle (e.g., Bachelor’s), you can go abroad for up to 12 months—and you can split this time into several trips.
When and how can I apply to go abroad?
You must submit an application according to your university’s recruitment rules, most often at least 30 days before the planned departure, after contacting the Erasmus coordinator or faculty coordinator.
Does participating in Erasmus exclude other scholarships?
No. You can receive the Erasmus grant and also a social scholarship and even the rector’s scholarship, as long as you meet the conditions for each.
What documents are required before the Erasmus grant is awarded?
The most important include: the study programme agreement, an approved Learning Agreement, and confirmation of participation from your university, which holds the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education.
Can people with fewer opportunities take part in the programme?
Yes. Participants with fewer opportunities may receive additional financial support, and their needs are prioritised by both universities and the European Commission and the national agency.
Does only the university provide support?
No. Beyond the university, strong support is also offered by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), which helps international students settle into a new country, supports integration, and makes adaptation easier at every stage of Erasmus mobility.
