Erasmus+

What is the Erasmus+ programme for students?

You can be eligible for the Erasmus+ programme if your exchange or internship takes place in one of the Erasmus+ programme countries (the EU countries, North Macedonia, Serbia, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Turkey) or on a small scale in non-European countries. The Erasmus+ grant provides partial compensation for costs incurred during your exchange or internship, and it is provided by the European Commission. The International Relations Office or Internship Office of your faculty can inform you if your exchange or internship is eligible for the Erasmus+ grant. 

Grant amount

The amounts differ if you go on an EU mobility (to the EU-countries, North Macedonia, Serbia, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Turkey) or on an International Mobility to non-EU countries (including Faroe Islands,Switzerland, UK, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican city).

EU mobility
If your mobility takes place in an EU country, North Macedonia, Serbia, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Turkey, Erasmus+ has established a fixed amount per day depending on the distance you have to travel to your destination.

If the distance from Maastricht to the city of your host, based on the distance calculator of Erasmus+, is between 0 - 750km:

If the distance from Maastricht to the city of your host, based on the distance calculator of Erasmus+, is greater than 750km:

Mobility for traineeships to EU Member States will receive a top-up of €150 per month.

In addition, you may be eligible for a top-up:

• Green travel top-up: For students who travel to and from their destination by bus or train, this is a one-time top-up of €50. This only applies when travelling to a destination with a maximum distance of 750km. After your mobility, you need to show proof that you have travelled ‘green’ by handing in your bus/train tickets to and from your host country.
• Inclusion top-up: This top-up is €250 per month and is for:
  • First-generation students with a DUO complimentary grant
  • Students with a physical handicap; you need a statement from a doctor
  • Students with chronic health problems; you need a statement from a doctor

• Travel support: applies to students travelling to a destination farther than 750km. The travel support is based on the travel distance from Maastricht to your host, based on the distance calculator of Erasmus+.

  
   

Students with a destination farther than 750km who travel green will receive the Green travel support instead of the normal travel support. After your mobility, you need to prove that you have travelled ‘green’ by handing in your bus/train tickets to and from your host country.

International mobility (non-EU)

If your mobility does not take place in an EU country, North Macedonia, Serbia, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Turkey, your mobility will be considered an international mobility. These include Faroe Islands, Switzerland, UK, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City. 

For studying abroad:

In addition, you may be eligible for a top-up:

• Green travel top-up: For students who travel to and from their destination by bus or train, this is a one-time top-up of €50. This only applies when travelling to Faroe Islands, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City. After your mobility, you need to provide proof that you have travelled ‘green’ by handing in your bus/train tickets to and from your host country.
• Inclusion top-up: This top-up is €250 per month and is for:
  • First-generation students with a DUO complimentary grant
  • Students with a physical handicap; you need a statement from a doctor
  • Students with chronic health problems; you need a statement from a doctor

For an internship abroad:

In addition, you may be eligible for a top-up:

• Inclusion top-up: This top-up is €250 per month and is for:
  • First-generation students with a DUO complimentary grant
  • Students with a physical handicap; you need a statement from a doctor
  • Students with chronic health problems; you need a statement from a doctor

Travel support: The travel support is based on the travel distance from Maastricht to your host based on the distance calculator of Erasmus+.

Students who travel 'green' will receive the Green travel support instead of the normal travel support. After your mobility, you need to provide proof that you have travelled ‘green’ by handing in your bus/train tickets to and from your host country. 

Conditions Erasmus+

There are several conditions for the Erasmus+ grant. Your faculty can also have separate conditions on top of the conditions below, such as a GPA requirement. For specific information on your situation, we recommend that you contact the International Relations Office (IRO)/Internship Office of your faculty.

• The minimum duration of an Erasmus mobility needs to be 2 months (60 days).
• The exchange or internship needs to take place in one of the Erasmus+ programme countries (the EU countries, North Macedonia, Serbia, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Turkey); it cannot be in the Netherlands or the country where you live prior to the exchange/internship. On a small scale, other countries are possible, too.
• If you want to apply for an Erasmus+ grant during your bachelor’s programme, you have to at least be admitted into the second year of your programme.
• During your bachelor’s programme, you can use the Erasmus+ grant for a maximum of 12 months (360 days). This can be spread out over several exchanges or internships.
• During your master’s programme, you can use the Erasmus+ grant for a maximum of 12 months (360 days). This can be spread out over several exchanges or internships.
• Your exchange can only take place at one of UM’s partner institutions; your IRO can inform you about the options.
• Your internship/exchange needs to be full time.
• If you are doing an internship, it must not take place within one of the EU institutions.
• If you are doing an internship, you can only do research at universities with which UM has a contract; your internship office can inform you about this.
• You need to adhere to all conditions stated by your IRO/Internship Office and the Erasmus+ Office. 

Application procedure

The application procedure differs between exchanges and internships. 

Exchange

Your IRO will inform you of the application procedure during the information market on exchange abroad. After you have been selected by your IRO for the exchange with an Erasmus+ grant, the application procedure will be as follows:

1. Your IRO/ invites you to fill out the Online Learning Agreement (OLA). This Online Learning Agreement needs to be signed by you, your IRO and your host institution at least 6 weeks before the start of your mobility.
    
2. Once your OLA has been completed, your IRO hands over your file to the Central Erasmus Office, which will handle the administration of your Erasmus mobility.
    
3. The Central Erasmus Office will send you a prefilled Grant Agreement 4 weeks before the start of your mobility, which you have to complete and sign. You have to send this to the Central Erasmus Office, as stated in the email you will receive. If you fail to hand in the complete and correct Grant Agreement before the stated deadline, your exchange will be cancelled and you will not receive an Erasmus+ grant.
    
4. If the main instruction language is not your native language, you will receive access to the Online Linguistic System (OLS) for a language assessment in the instruction language of your exchange. You can take this assessment to improve your language of instruction.
    
5. After your Grant Agreement is received (and correct), you will receive the first payment (70%) before the start of your mobility. The grant is based on the dates you have filled out in the Grant Agreement, so make sure these dates are correct; otherwise, you may have to pay back a part of your grant.
    
6. After 3 weeks, the Central Erasmus Office will contact you regarding possible changes in your courses. If, during your exchange, your courses change you will have to adjust the courses you have selected in your Online Learning Agreement. Your IRO needs to approve these changes. This will be done within the Online Learning Agreement, you do not have to send an email to your IRO. This has to been done within 7 weeks after the start of your mobility.
    
7. If, during your mobility, you see that your exchange will be longer than agreed upon in your Grant Agreement, you will have to send a written request for extension to the central Erasmus Office. This written request needs to be sent at least 30 days before the original end date of your exchange. The Central Erasmus Office will inform you if you can receive an Erasmus+ grant for the extended period of your exchange. If you do not send in a written request for an extension in time, you cannot request an Erasmus+ grant for your extension after your exchange has ended.
    
8. After your exchange, you will have to hand in the following documents to the Central Erasmus Office:
   a. The Statement of Host Institution in which your host institution confirms the start and end date of your exchange. The start date of the mobility period shall be the first day that you need to be physically present at the receiving institution/organisation. The end date shall be the last day you need to be physically present at the receiving institution/organisation. For the online part of your mobility, if applicable, you will not receive an Erasmus+ grant. You will receive an email with the format 2 weeks before the end of your mobility. Make sure to ask your receiving institution to (digitally) sign the document before your departure!
   b. The Participation Report for which you will automatically receive an invitation from Erasmus+ at the end of your exchange. You can fill this out online and, after submission, upload the report via the link provided.
   c. Any additional documents requested by your IRO.
    
9. Only when all your documents have been received within 4 weeks after the end date of your mobility and the documents have been approved by the Central Erasmus Office, you will receive the final 30% of your Erasmus+ grant.
    
10.  You need to send the Transcript of Records to your IRO to receive the credits you have earned during your mobility. You can hand in the transcript of records yourself or it can be sent to UM by your host institution. Credits that are obtained through courses which are listed on the Learning Agreement (and signed for) will always be recognised. 
     

Internship

Your Internship Office will inform you of the application procedure during the information market on internships abroad. After you have been selected by your Internship Office for the internship with an Erasmus+ grant, the application procedure will be as follows:

1. Your Internship Office will send you the Learning Agreement (LA), which you need to fill out and sign. This Learning Agreement needs to be signed by you, your Internship Office and your host organisation at least 6 weeks before the start of your mobility.
    
2. Once your LA has been completed, your Internship Office hands over your file to the Central Erasmus Office, which will handle the administration of your Erasmus mobility.
    
3. The Central Erasmus Office will send you a prefilled Grant Agreement 4 weeks before the start of your mobility, which you have to complete and sign. You have to send this to the Central Erasmus Office, as stated in the email you will receive. If you fail to hand in the complete and correct Grant Agreement before the stated deadline, you will not receive an Erasmus+ grant.
    
4. If the main instruction language is not your native language, you will receive access to the Online Linguistic System (OLS) for a language assessment in the instruction language of your internship. You can take this assessment to improve your language of instruction.
    
5. After your Grant Agreement is received (and correct), you will receive the first payment (70%) before the start of your mobility. The grant is based on the dates you have filled out in the Grant Agreement, so make sure these dates are correct. Otherwise, you may have to pay back a part of your grant.
    
6. After 3 weeks, the Central Erasmus Office will contact you regarding possible changes in the content of your internship. If, during your internship, the content has changed, you will have to fill out the “During Mobility” part of your Learning Agreement. Your Internship Office needs to approve these changes, so please send an email to your Internship Office regarding those changes. This has to been done within 7 weeks after the start of your mobility.
    
7. If, during your mobility, you see that your internship will be longer than agreed upon in your Grant Agreement, you will have to send a written request for extension to the Central Erasmus Office. This written request needs to be sent at least 30 days before the original end date of your internship. The Central Erasmus Office will inform you if you can receive an Erasmus+ grant for the extended period of your internship. If you do not send in a written request for extension in time, you cannot request an Erasmus+ grant for your extension after your internship has ended.
8. After your internship, you will have to hand in the following documents to the Central Erasmus Office:
   a.  The Traineeship Certificate in which your host organisation confirms the start and end date of your internship. The start date of the mobility period shall be the first day that you need to be physically present at the receiving institution/organisation. The end date shall be the last day you need to be physically present at the receiving institution/organisation. For the online part of your mobility, if applicable, you will not receive an Erasmus+ grant. You will receive the template 2 weeks before the end date of your internship. Make sure to ask your internship company to sign the document before your departure!
   b. The Participation Report for which you will automatically receive an invitation from Erasmus+ at the end of your internship. You can fill this out online and, after submission, upload the report via the link provided.
   
   c. Any additional documents requested by your Internship Office
    
9. Only when all your documents have been received within 4 weeks after the end date of your mobility and the documents have been approved by the Central Erasmus Office, you will receive the final 30% of your Erasmus+ grant.

For specific information on the possibilities of your exchange or internship, we kindly advise you to contact your IRO/Internship Office. You can find the contact details of the IRO/Internship Office per faculty on the right-hand side on this page. 

FAQ Erasmus+

• When do I get instructions for the Erasmus+ grant application?
  Please contact your IRO/Internship Office regarding this.
  Once your IRO/internship Office has approved your Learning Agreement (this then needs to be signed by all 3 parties), they will inform the Central Erasmus Office. The Central Erasmus Office will contact you about 4 weeks before the start of your mobility.
   
• Can I get an Erasmus+ grant if my host university is in my home country?
  Yes, this is possible but you can only get an Erasmus grant for an exchange in a participating country other than the Netherlands or the country where you live prior to the exchange. If you do not live in your home country immediately prior to the exchange, you can apply for an Erasmus+ grant. However, keep in mind that if the Erasmus budget is insufficient to accommodate all applications, the applications from students who want to do an exchange in their home country will have the lowest priority.
   
• Which date should I use for the start date of my mobility? Date of arrival, orientation session, first classes…?
  The start date of the mobility period shall be the first day that the participant needs to be physically present at the receiving institution/organisation.
   
• Which date should I use for the end date of my mobility? Date of departure, last exam, …?
  The end date shall be the last day the participant needs to be physically present at the receiving institution/organisation.
   
• Should I include the resit exam period in the duration of my mobility?
  You can include the resit period in the dates mentioned on your Grant Agreement. Your grant is based on your grant agreement, but if the Statement of Host Institution indicates a shorter period, you will receive a grant based on the Statement.
   
• Can I get a Green Travel top-up/Green travel support when I travel by car?
  No, you cannot get a Green Travel Top-up/Green travel support if you travel by (electric) car. The green travel top-up/Green travel support is only applicable if you travel by train or bus.
   
• When do I receive the Green Travel top-up/Green travel support?
  You will receive the green travel top-up/ Green travel support as part of your grant. This means you will receive the first 70% with the first payment, if you can prove that you have travelled by train or bus, you will receive the second part (30%) with the second payment. If you cannot prove your green travel, the first part of the top-up/support you have received will be deducted from your second instalment.  
   
• When do I receive the travel support?
  If you are eligible for travel support, you will receive the travel support as part of your grant. This means you will receive the first 70% of the travel support with the first payment and the second part (30%) with the second payment. If you have travel support for green travel, you need to provide proof that you have travelled by train or bus. If you cannot provide proof your green travel, you will receive the normal travel support, if applicable.   
   
• Can I apply for the First-Generation Student top-up?
  If you are a First-Generation Student with a DUO complimentary grant, you can apply for the top-up. We define first-generation students as students from non-academic backgrounds. They are the first in their families (parents) to follow higher education (university or university of applied sciences) and their parents did not follow higher education.  You have to prove that you have a DUO complimentary grant for the current academic year before the start of your mobility and supply a statement signed by you that you are the first in your family to follow higher education.
   
• Can I apply for the Inclusion top-up for handicap/health problems?
  If you have a handicap or a chronic illness, you can apply for the inclusion top-up. You need to have a statement from your doctor stating that you have a disability/health issues and that your disability/health issues will negatively influence your mobility.
   
• After I completed the OLS test, Erasmus offered me the opportunity to take an OLS course. Am I obligated to do this OLS course?
  No, this course is voluntary.
   
• Why is the second payment of my grant lower than 30%?
  You will only receive a grant for the actual duration of your exchange/internship in your receiving country. If your exchange/internship was shorter than planned, your second instalment can be lower than 30%. Furthermore, if you do not fill out the PR survey within 4 weeks after your mobility, you are no longer eligible for the second instalment. Your grant will be reduced to 70%.
  Also, if you indicated in your application you would be eligible for the green travel top-up but cannot provide proof of your green travel, your second instalment will be less than 30%.
   
• Can I get an Erasmus+ grant if I am a non-EU citizen?
  Yes, you are eligible for an Erasmus+ grant if you are a non-EU citizen. Please make sure to check the visa requirements with the visa office.

Definitions:
OLA    Online Learning Agreement
LA       Learning Agreement
GA      Grant agreement
OLS    Online Linguistic System (language test)
PR      Participation Report
SoHi   Statement of Host institution (study exchange)
TC      Traineeship Certificate (placement exchange)