Information for participants

The UK National Agency is unable to provide information or respond to queries relating to the changes to the immigration rules that came into effect on 1 January 2021. As such you must refer to the UK Government guidance.   

The UK left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020. New rules on trade, travel, and business for the UK and EU came into effect on 1 January 2021. Read more on the UK Government website to get prepared. 

For those coming into the UK please be aware that you may need to meet specific requirements in respect of your visit. Erasmus+ participants travelling to the UK must refer their queries to the sending organisation responsible for organising their placement. You can also check if you need a visa. A healthcare surcharge may be part of the visa application process. 

All European Voluntary Service (EVS) volunteers and Erasmus+ work placement students coming into the UK need to apply to the British Council for a T5 certificate of sponsorship, before applying for a UK visa under the Points Based System. Read more on our T5 visas page. 

Before you travel, consult the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website for foreign travel advice and keep checking the security status of your destination. 

If you experience any disruption to your travel arrangements, please contact your sending institution for advice and support in the first instance.  

If you are abroad and need emergency help, please contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission, or your own embassy if you do not have British nationality. 

The European Commission has also published information in the form of Frequently Asked Questions aimed at both participants and beneficiaries of the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes relating to the impact of Covid 19. 

The financial support for participants is intended as a contribution to costs while studying, working, volunteering, teaching or training abroad. 

Student grant rates 

For the academic year 2020-21, the student rates are: 

Study abroad 

• €420 per month for group 1 countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Norway) or 
• €370 per month for group 2 countries (Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Netherlands, Malta, Portugal) and group 3 countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey) 
• Plus additional €120 per month for disadvantaged students. 

Work abroad/traineeships 

• €520 per month for group 1 countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Norway) or 
• €470 per month for group 2 countries (Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Netherlands, Malta, Portugal) and group 3 countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey) 
• Plus additional €20 per month for disadvantaged students on top of this higher grant amount.  

Eligible students going from the UK to Partner Countries outside Europe could receive a monthly grant of €700 and receive a travel contribution based on the distance they are travelling. Students should first check with their university to find out if they offer this activity and then ask for further information from their university’s Erasmus+ office.  

Additional support 

If you have a severe disability or exceptional special needs then you may be entitled to extra funding to cover associated costs on your Erasmus+ placement. Please contact your institution/organisation’s Erasmus+ co-ordinator for further details as they are responsible for ensuring all the necessary paperwork is completed and arrangements are made at the host institution/organisation to meet the needs of the participant. 

Higher education students who need to apply for a special needs allowance should do so via their home institution, before the start of the academic year in which the mobility activity is scheduled to take place. 

Staff grant rates 

For the academic year 2020-21, staff at eligible HEIs teaching or training abroad in a partner institution or enterprise could be eligible for: 

• €180 per day for group 1 countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Norway) or 
• €160 per day for group 2 countries (Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Netherlands, Malta, Portugal) or 
• €140 per day for group 3 countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey). 

Incoming and outgoing staff receive €180 per day for projects with Partner countries (Key Action 107 International Credit Mobility). 

Volunteering 

If you are aged between 18-30 and living in the UK and taking part in a volunteering opportunity through the European Solidarity Corps, you will get funding to cover everything from travel and accommodation to food and insurance, as well as provide you with a small monthly allowance.  

All participants should discuss the details with their home institution/sending organisation.

For higher education students, studying or working abroad through Erasmus+ forms part of their degree and must be recognised accordingly. The Erasmus Student Charter (840.27 KB) lists rights and obligations for Erasmus+ participants. Youthpass is for participants on Erasmus+ youth programmes to help them demonstrate what they have done and learnt.