The Erasmus+ Program covers many more countries than just the European Union and gives students the opportunity to study, complete internships, and develop competencies in various regions of the world.
Key Takeaways
- The Erasmus Program includes all EU countries, EEA states, EU candidate countries, and many partner countries worldwide.
- Program Countries participate in all Erasmus+ actions, while Partner Countries have access only to selected mobility forms and projects.
- Poland is a popular mobility destination for students from member and partner countries due to its low cost of living and high quality of education.
- Students from partner countries must obtain a national visa or residence permit and have full health insurance.
- The choice of destination country depends on the university’s partnership agreements, so check the list of available mobility directions on your university’s website.
Which Countries Does the Erasmus Program Cover?
The Erasmus Program covers EU countries, partner countries cooperating with the EU, and selected world regions participating in academic mobility.
Erasmus+ is a wide-reaching program divided into two main groups:
- Program Countries – fully participate in Erasmus, their institutions can implement all forms of mobility.
- Partner Countries – have access to selected actions, usually within inter-university cooperation and projects.
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What are Erasmus “Program Countries”?
Program Countries are states formally participating in all Erasmus+ activities, including the EU, EEA, and candidate countries.
This group includes:
1. European Union (EU) Countries
A total of 27 countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Hungary, Italy.
2. European Economic Area (EEA) Countries
Not EU members but formally part of the program:
- Norway
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
3. Candidate and Associated Countries
Have full mobility participation status:
- North Macedonia
- Serbia
- Turkey
These countries follow the same mobility rules as EU countries – their institutions can conduct exchanges according to the program guide.
What are “Partner Countries” in Erasmus?
Partner Countries are non-EU states involved in selected Erasmus international mobility actions.
They operate on a limited basis, often within university cooperation projects, research grants, doctoral mobility, or special credit mobility editions (ICM – International Credit Mobility).
Complete List of Erasmus+ Partner Countries
Below you’ll find an organized division of partner countries according to official regions:
Region 1 – Western Balkans
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro.
Region 2 – Eastern Partnership
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus (cooperation may be suspended), Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine.
Region 3 – South Mediterranean Countries
Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia.
Region 4 – Russian Federation
Areas recognized by international law.
Region 5 – Asia
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, North Korea, Laos, Maldives, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam.
- high-income countries: Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Macau, Singapore, Taiwan.
Region 6 – Central Asia
Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
Region 7 – Middle East
Iraq, Iran, Yemen.
- high-income countries: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates.
Region 8 – Pacific
Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, etc.
- high-income: Australia, New Zealand.
Region 9 – Sub-Saharan Africa
Over 50 countries, including: South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Senegal, Zambia, Ethiopia.
Region 10 – Latin America
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Uruguay, Venezuela and others.
Region 11 – Caribbean
Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, etc.
Region 12 – USA and Canada
United States, Canada.
Region 13 – European Microstates
Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City.
Region 14 – other European Countries
Switzerland, Faroe Islands, United Kingdom (limited actions after Brexit).
Which Countries Fully Participate in Erasmus?
| Category | Program Status | Example Countries | Mobility Access |
| EU | Full participation | Poland, Italy, Spain | 100% of Erasmus+ actions |
| EEA | Full participation | Norway, Iceland | 100% of Erasmus+ actions |
| Candidate Countries | Full participation | Turkey, Serbia | 100% of Erasmus+ actions |
| Partner Countries | Limited participation | Japan, Georgia, Brazil | Selected actions, university-country projects |
How to Choose a Country for Erasmus if You Want to Come to Poland?
Poland annually welcomes over 30,000 Erasmus+ students, including from Spain, Italy, France, Turkey, Germany, and Portugal. Choosing Poland is beneficial for several reasons:
- lower cost of living than in most Western European countries,
- high quality of education – universities like UW, UJ, PW, AGH are top-ranked,
- central location enables easy travel across Europe,
- large international community in major cities,
- attractive housing market for students.
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Visa Requirements for Students Coming from Partner Countries
Students from outside the EU and EEA must remember to obtain:
- national type D visa,
- or residence permit for longer stays.
Important rules:
- Formalities can take several weeks – submit your application in advance.
- The Polish university issues an invitation or acceptance document.
- In some cases, health insurance for the entire stay is required.
Current rules can be found on the EU immigration portal.
Erasmus beyond Europe – when is it Worth it?
Trips to partner countries (e.g., Japan, South Korea, USA, Brazil) are attractive when:
- you’re studying a globally-oriented field,
- you want to gain experience in a non-European market,
- your university has special partnership agreements,
- the scholarship covers part of the actual living costs in that country.
How to Check where your University Sends Students?
Easiest way:
- Visit your university’s website.
- Find the Erasmus+ or “International Exchanges” section.
- Download the list of current bilateral agreements.
- Check available courses and languages of instruction.
- Contact the mobility coordinator.
Each university has a different list, so even if you see 150 countries in the tables, your choice depends on actual partnership agreements.
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Summary – Erasmus Program Covers over 150 Countries
Erasmus+ doesn’t end with the European Union. Full participants include:
- 27 EU countries,
- 3 EEA countries,
- 3 candidate countries,
and in limited forms also over 100 partner countries on all continents.
Poland is one of the main receiving countries, and universities offer a wide selection of courses in English, good living conditions, and developed academic infrastructure.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do all European countries participate in the Erasmus program?
No, but most EU member states and EFTA countries and EU candidates have full participation in the program. Non-European countries can participate in limited activities as partner countries.
2. Are EEA and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries part of Erasmus?
Yes, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein as EFTA members fully participate in the program. This status gives them the same mobility opportunities as EU countries.
3. Do EU candidate countries also participate in Erasmus?
Yes, Turkey, Serbia, and North Macedonia have the status of fully participating countries. This means their students and staff can use the same forms of mobility as EU countries.
4. Can all countries in the world participate in Erasmus?
Not all, but many participate as partner countries in selected actions. Participation depends on the type of project and inter-university agreements.
5. How to check which countries my university cooperates with?
You’ll find the list of countries and universities on your university’s international cooperation department website. Usually, the current mobility table and valid bilateral agreements are published there.
6. Can a non-EU republic, e.g., Republic of Korea or Republic of Armenia, participate in Erasmus?
Yes, many non-EU republics function as partner countries. They can participate in selected mobility activities if they have appropriate project agreements.
