Erasmus Financial Support

The amount of funding depends on the country where you spend your study semester and is based on the cost of living there. Funding amounts can vary from year to year.
The minimum duration of funding per semester is two complete months. The funding duration is determined in July of each year and is based on the total number of students selected to study at partner universities, the destination countries and the available budget.

The Erasmus grant includes a travel allowance (standard or green travel) and can be combined with the fewer oppurtinities topup (see both below).

Funding duration:

• project year 2025 (WS 2025/26, SS 2026): limited to a maximum of 125 days / 4 months & 5 days per semester
• project year 2024 (WS 2024/25, SS 2025): limited to a maximum of 150 days / 5 months per semester

The calculation is made to the day (daily rate: monthly rate/30 days). Funding is only paid for days of ‘active study’, which is considered to be from the first day of lectures to the final examination.

Monthly rates for Erasmus Traineeship (SMP, student mobility for traineeship/placement):

Students with an internship place in one of the Erasmus Programme countries (EU + Macedonia, Serbia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Turkey), which lasts at least 2 months can apply for the Erasmus Traineeship funding. 

The Erasmus Traineeship grant includes a travel allowance (for green travel in project year 2024) and can be combined with the fewer oppurtinities topup (see both below).

The Erasmus grant includes travel support (see below) and can be combined with a one-time fewer oppurtinities topup (see categories and criteria below).

Funding criteria:

• current funding (SS2025, WS 2025/26, SS 2026 - project 2024): limited to a maximum of 5 days; only days of ‘active study’/ official programme days will be funded
• maximum funding: 2 times per student (except ECIU student ambassadors)
• The minimum duration is 5 days of physical mobility at the ECIU partner university + obligatory virtual component before, during and/or after the physical phase.
• Programme must have a blended format and amount to min. 3 ECTS.
• Only ECIU Learning Opportunies from engage.eciu.eu
• Only Master students

Travel support for all Erasmus+ participants in project 2025

Starting from the project year 2025, all Erasmus+ participants are entitled to a travel allowance (travel support), regardless of the duration of their stay. The amount of this allowance depends on the type of transport used for the journey.

Standard Travel vs. Green Mobility Travel

Erasmus+ promotes sustainable travel by offering extra financial support for participants who choose environmentally friendly means of transport. To qualify for green mobility funding, you must complete at least 50% of your travel distance to and from the partner university or internship location using low-emission transportation modes, such as train, bus, ride-sharing, or bicycle.
 

Travel Allowance Rates by Distance and Travel Type in project 2025:

Hamburg, as location of sending institution TUHH, is considered as starting point.

Additional Support for Sustainable Travel (Green Mobility)

Erasmus+ provides further incentives to support sustainable travel:

• 2024 Project: Up to six additional funded travel days to accommodate the longer travel times associated with green travel methods.
• 2025 Project: Up to six additional funded travel days (plus higher travel allowance rate).

Definition and Calculation of Travel Days

Eligible travel days for sustainable travel are granted as follows in project 2025:

• 1 day for travel time over 8 hours (one-way)
• 2 days for travel time over 16 hours (one-way)
• 3 days for travel time over 32 hours (one-way).

Travel time is calculated door-to-door, the time from your departure point to your final destination (e.g., university or internship location).
These measures ensure that choosing sustainable transport remains both feasible and financially supported.

Travel Inspiration and Useful Resources

To assist you in planning your low-emission journey, here are some resources and ideas:

For some inspiration: with bicycle from Germany to Spain.

Helpful links on low-emissions travel:
Eurorail Interrail Pass for Erasmus+ participants - special offer!
From Rome to Rio
Travel by train overnight through Europe
Explore Europe by train – Interrail

Students who have special needs or face additional obstacles can receive extra funding (a monthly amount of €250) on top of the regular Erasmus monthly funding rate. Students who meet the following criteria are eligible:

• Both their parents have not graduated from university, i.e. students, who are first generation academics
• They are employed and cannot carry out their work during their stay abroad (mean income 450-850€, continuous employment in the 6 month before mobility)
• They are accompanied abroad by their underage children, i.e. students with child/ren
• They have disability status rated 20 or above
• They have a chronic illness and face increased expenses abroad as a result

Read the criteria for additional financial support for Erasmus students with fewer opportunities!

For some inspiration: first generation academic / student with disability.

Alternatively, students with children, a disability or a chronic illness and additional expenses can can submit a so-called real costs funding application to receive up to € 15.000 per semester to cover additional costs incurred. It is also possible to receive a subsidy for a preparatory trip to the study destination to familiarise yourself with the situation there. Both of these options require a great deal of advance preparation. Please contact the TUHH-Erasmus coordinator to discuss them well ahead of time. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) must receive the application for additional funding at least two months before the study stay begins. More information as well as reports from students are available (in German) on the DAAD website.