Taking part in Erasmus costs on average from a few hundred to several thousand euros, depending on the destination country, lifestyle, and the length of stay. Most students receive a grant that covers a substantial part of accommodation, travel, and food costs.
Key takeaways
- The grant amount depends on the country, the length of stay, and the type of mobility, and it can be calculated precisely using the distance calculator.
- Erasmus does not require entry fees or membership dues—costs are covered from the grant.
- With green travel you can receive additional funds to cover travel costs.
- A housing expense of around EUR 200–300 per month is an average level in countries such as Italy or Spain.
- International cooperation is supported by stable grant rates, university support, and flexibility of receiving institutions.
What is the Erasmus programme?
Erasmus is a European Union international initiative that allows university students to complete part of their studies at a partner university abroad. As part of the programme, the participant receives a grant to help cover living costs and travel support.
Are you coming to Poland on Erasmus? Looking for an affordable student room in Warsaw with no hidden fees? Check our offer!
What costs does Erasmus cover?
The Erasmus grant covers four main categories:
Course costs (if applicable):
- EUR 400 per week of training
- EUR 800 for a two-week course
Individual support (accommodation, food, local transport):
Amount depends on the country. Examples:
- Italy, France, Ireland, Germany: EUR 1,071 (7 days), EUR 1,836 (12 days)
- Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, Malta, Latvia: EUR 945 (7 days), EUR 1,620 (12 days)
- Croatia: EUR 826 (7 days), EUR 1,416 (12 days)
Travel costs:
Determined based on the distance between the home and partner institutions:
| Distance (km) | Rate (EUR) |
|---|---|
| 100–499 | 211 |
| 500–1999 | 309 |
| 2000–2999 | 395 |
Organisational support:
- EUR 100 per participant
Example monthly expenses for an Erasmus student
| Category | Cost (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (single room) | 250–300 |
| Utilities and waste | 20–40 / month |
| Internet | 4 |
| Monthly public transport pass | 27.5 |
| Food | 160–200 (per person) |
| Entertainment and parties | 40–60 |
| Total | approx. 500–600 |
How to calculate a daily budget on Erasmus?
To avoid financial problems during your stay, it is worth preparing a plan before leaving:
- Calculate the total available funds (grant + savings).
- Subtract fixed costs: accommodation, monthly transport pass, regular fees.
- Divide by the number of days of your stay.
- The result is your average daily budget.
Will the Erasmus grant be enough to cover costs?
In many cases yes—especially if you live in cheaper countries (e.g., Latvia, Slovakia, Turkey). In countries such as Ireland, France, or Finland, living costs are much higher and often require additional savings or part-time work.
Example from Italy (Salerno):
- Room in a shared apartment: EUR 190–200
- Food: EUR 80–100 per week (for 2 people)
- Utilities, internet, waste: EUR 20–60 per month
- Erasmus support: EUR 500–700 per month
Nearby specialist tip (Warsaw):
“If you plan to come to Warsaw for an Erasmus semester, it’s best to look for accommodation in advance. Rooms in good locations (close to universities) disappear quickly. At Nearby we have dedicated offers for international students, including apartments near the University of Warsaw, SGH, and Warsaw University of Technology.”
Food costs in restaurants
| Item | Price (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Margherita | 3–6 |
| Spaghetti | 5–8 |
| Espresso | 0.90–1.20 |
| Ice cream (2 scoops) | 1.5–2.5 |
| Panini | 2.5–3.5 |
| Croissant | 0.8–1.2 |
In countries such as France, Ireland or Norway, prices can be even twice as high.
Travel and additional expenses
Students often use their Erasmus time to travel. Costs can be very low with early booking. It is worth planning sightseeing with local student organisations (ESN), which often offer discounts.
Where else is it worth going on Erasmus?
Many students choose destinations such as Austria, Iceland or Serbia, which offer attractive academic opportunities and a high quality of life. The university or partner institution helps with formalities and confirming mobility, and grant funds can be paid out quickly after signing the agreement.
Austria attracts students with good infrastructure, Iceland with its unique climate and ecological approach, and Serbia with a growing offer of English-taught programmes. In each of these countries, similar funding rates apply as in other Erasmus programme destinations.
Planning to come to Poland on Erasmus? Find a room with Nearby
Poland is becoming an increasingly popular Erasmus destination, especially among students from countries such as Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Estonia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic. Receiving institutions offer university support, dormitories, and flexible accommodation options.
A student can receive an Erasmus grant and a social scholarship, and the grant amount depends, among other things, on the type of mobility, the length of stay abroad (e.g., 2 to 12 months), the use of green travel, and the distance calculator. All conditions are set out in the grant agreement signed with the university administration.
If you are coming to Poland, Nearby provides comfortable student rooms in Warsaw with no hidden entry fees or dues, and the rent includes all costs related to your stay.
Summary
The cost of Erasmus depends on the country, the length of mobility, and the student’s lifestyle. The grant covers a significant part of living costs, but it is worth having additional savings. A trip to countries such as Greece, Portugal or Turkey can be almost fully funded by the grant, while trips to France, Norway or Finland require tighter budgeting.
It is worth planning ahead and using offers such as Nearby in Warsaw to reduce accommodation costs and avoid unpleasant financial surprises.
FAQ – key takeaways
How do I calculate the Erasmus grant amount?
The grant amount is calculated based on the distance calculator, the length of stay, and the destination country.
Do I have to pay any fees or entry charges before leaving?
No. Participating in Erasmus does not involve any entry fees or dues.
Will the Erasmus grant cover all costs?
It covers most travel and living costs, but it is recommended to have extra savings.
What does the grant agreement include?
The grant agreement sets the rates, payment conditions, and rules for settling the mobility period.
Can I go on Erasmus to the Netherlands, Belgium or Luxembourg?
Yes. These countries are part of the programme and offer grants according to established rates.
What about accommodation—dormitory or private rental?
Accommodation depends on the receiving institution—options include dormitories, private rooms, or services like Nearby.
