Objectives
In the context of the Erasmus+ Programme, the following meanings apply:
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Higher Education: the highest level in the education system; includes the short cycle, and the first, second and third cycles.
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Students: learners in this sector.
Higher Education has contributed to the internationalisation and to the cooperation for innovation and good practices.
REFORMS
To support higher education institutions in the enforcement of necessary reforms in accordance with the priorities of the European Union Modernisation Agenda to
boost academic qualifications; improve the quality and relevance of Higher Education; reinforce quality through mobility and cross-border cooperation; make the knowledge triangle function effectively; and improve governance and finance.
MORE GRADUATES
To strive to increase the number of graduates, boosting participation and elevating graduation completion rates by groups that are under-represented and of non-traditional trainees, reinforce life-long learning through the creation of flexible learning paths, and develop ways to increase social responsibility in Higher Education Institutions.
THE LABOUR MARKET
Support the acquisition of skills (knowledge, attitudes, qualifications) in Higher Education to contribute to the development of students, teaching and non-teaching staff, and to boost student employability in the European and global labour markets.
EXCELLENCE IN HEI
To support activities for adapting curricula to real-life and evolving needs in the labour market that provide students with transversal skills, such as entrepreneurship; the aimimg at fostering active cooperation among Higher Education Institutions (HEI/IES) and partners outside the academic world; companies, professional organisations, chambers of commerce, social partners, local/regional entities, etc.
EMPLOYABILITY
To support internationalisation, attractiveness, fairness of access and the modernisation of Higher Education Institutions outside Europe to promote the development of partner countries.
PROMOTION
To increase the attractiveness of Higher Education in Europe and assist European institutions competing in the world market.
Key-Action1: Mobility
Mobility projects for learning for students, teaching and non-teaching staff of Higher Education Institutions (HEI).
Student Mobility
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Study period in an HEI abroad;
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Traineeship period (work placement) in a enterprise or in any other workplace abroad.
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The study period abroad may also include a traineeship period.
Staff Mobility
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Teaching period: HEI teaching staff or staff from enterprises may teach in a partner HEI abroad in any subject area/academic.
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Training period: professional development of HEI teaching and non-teaching staff through training events abroad (excluding conferences) and jobshadowing)/observation periods/training at a partner HEI or at another relevant organization abroad.
Participants
Higher education students (short cycle, first, second or third cycle); higher education teaching staff; HEI staff, trainers and company experts; recent graduates.
Applicants
HEIs established in a Programme country with an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (CEES/ECHE). Coordinating organisations of consortia established in a Programme country with a Higher Education Mobility Consortium Certificate. In the case of consortia, non-certified organisations may apply for certification at the same time as they apply for mobility funding.
Mobility activities in the 3 cycles of Higher Education
FOR STUDENTS
FOR STAFF
Duration from 2 or 3 months to 12 months.
Duration from 2 days to 2 months.
Cooperation with Partner Countries
The Erasmus+ Programme has a strong international component of cooperation with partner countries, namely in the area of Higher Education; it supports international mobility of individuals and their respective credits. International mobility applications for individuals can be submitted individually or through a consortium. HEI applicants must be established in a Programme country and be holders of an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education. HEIs established in Partner countries must be accredited by the national organization of accreditation and must have established an inter-institutional agreement with their partner in a Programme country in place of the ECHE Charter.
Projects have a duration of 24 or 36 months.
PRIORITIES
The European Union (EU) has set out priorities and objectives, including geographical balance, which must be attained at a European level during the 2014-2020 Programme.
BUDGET
The budget available for mobility among Programme and partner countries is divided into 12 budget envelopes for different regions of the world, each with a different size.
Key-Action 2: Strategic Partnerships
A strategic partnership is transnational and designed to develop initiatives in one or more areas of education and training; it involves at least three organisations from three Programme countries; it allows participating organisations to gain experience in international cooperation and strengthen their abilities, and/or produce tangible, innovative and high-quality results that have an individual and institutional impact.
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Strategic partnerships supporting innovation
Types of Partnerships
Students, teaching and non-teaching staff from Higher Education Institutions.
Mobility for training activities
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Students in blended mobility;
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Students, teaching staff and invited experts in Intensive Study Programmes;
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Teaching staff on teaching or training assignments;
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Teaching and non-teaching staff in joint staff training events.
Participants
Organisations linked to Higher Education in any field of education and training; organisations linked to Higher Education that carry out transversal activities in different areas (for example, companies, chambers of commerce, NGOs); any organisation established in a Programme country. Partner country organisations may participate as partners (but not as applicants) as long as this participation adds value to the project. HEIs established in Programme countries must have a valid Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE).
Applicants
Visas and Residence Permits
Participants from third countries in the Erasmus+ Programme and the European Solidarity Corps have found some difficulties in getting visas and residence permits in the EU member countries.
The European Union Directive (EU) 2016/801 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-countries citizens for study, training, voluntary service, research, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects purposes foresees that the third-country citizen is entitled to get a residence permit or a visa if and when all the general conditions and relevant specific conditions are fulfilled.
Thus, Coordinators and participants of Erasmus+ projects involving third-countries participants should
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Be informed about the European Union Directive (EU) 2016/801 rules applicable to the entry and residence in European Union;
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Consult the EU Immigration Portal, which provides general information regarding visas and residence permits both for short and long-term stays;
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Check the need for visas and residence permits with the national authorities of the destination countries;
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Ensure that every participant organisation have required all needed authorisations and that they are issued before the planned activities take place;
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Take into account that the authorisations should be requested to the Programme European country authorities well in advance, since the process may take up to 90 days;
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In case there is no European country Consulate of the Programme in the home country, contact the Programme European Country Foreign Affairs Ministry or Immigration Office to identify the responsible Consulate;
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Contact the Erasmus+ National Agencies in the Programme countries, which may provide information on visas, residence permits, social welfare, etc.;
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Take into account that stays in the destination country for more than three months require a long-stay visa and/or a residence permit prior to traveling from the home to the destination country;
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A short-stay visa is not the proper authorisation when the stay exceeds three months;
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The documents required to apply for authorisation for entry and stay depend on the purpose of the stay and on the rules of the destination country;
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Be aware that sending organisations must bear the costs of fees, insurance and bank transfer (or part of them), by using the Erasmus+ Organisational Support or project management funds; these costs should not be deducted from the participant Individual Financial Support. Any costs charged to the participant must be clearly explained and accepted for both parties in advance and strictly follow the Programme rules.
Stays up to 3 months under the Erasmus + Programme
Programme Countries - Schengen Area Members
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Netherlands, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Sweden.
Switzerland is the only Schengen country that does not participate in the Erasmus + programme.
Rules:
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Refer to the destination programme country website for detailed information.
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The EU Immigration Portal contains links to national authorities of programme countries that are EU members.
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Non-EU citizens may need a short-stay visa (Schengen visa) depending on their nationality.
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In principle, Schengen visa holders can travel freely within the 26 countries of the Schengen area.
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The holder of a single entry visa can only enter the Schengen area once.
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The holder of a multiple-entry visa may enter and leave the Schengen area several times during the visa's validity period, respecting the maximum permissible period of stay.
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General requirements for applying for a short stay visa (indicative list; there are harmonized lists in several places):
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The completed and signed application form;
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A valid travel document and a photograph in the right format;
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Documents related to the purpose of the trip, such as the Erasmus + documentation;
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Evidence of financial means to cover travel and accommodation;
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Documents related to accommodation;
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Travel Medical Insurance covering a minimum of € 30,000 and valid for the entire Schengen area and for the duration of your stay;
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The administrative fee is currently 60 € in most cases but is waived for students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who are on study or training stays as well as traveling researchers for the purpose of performing scientific investigation.
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Programme Country - Non Schengen Members
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, the United Kingdom, Serbia, Turkey, Northern Macedonia.
Rules:
Non-EU citizens will need a short-stay national visa or not, depending on the rules of the country of destination.
Stays of more than 3 months under the Erasmus + Programme
Rules applicable to visa applications or residence permits for all Programme Countries:
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The EU Immigration Portal has information from the national authorities of EU Programme Countries.
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Erasmus + Programme participants from non-EU countries need a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by the country of destination.
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Sometimes the country of destination issues a residence permit when the third-country national arrives on its territory with a long-stay visa.
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If participants hold a residence permit or long-stay visa issued by a Schengen country, they may move within the Schengen area for up to 90 days for each 180-day period.
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Rules differ depending on length of stay and country of destination.
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Participants from third countries traveling to a Schengen country through another Schengen country must ensure that they have a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by the destination country.
Visas to Palestine and Israel
Israel
Students who wish to go to universities in Israel for periods longer than 90 days must have a student visa and should only start traveling after having it.
These visas must be requested by the host universities in Israel on the student’s behalf before he/she travels. Once the host university receives a request from an Erasmus+ incoming student, it should apply for a student visa to the Israeli Ministry of Interior.
Palestine
Students wishing to go to universities in Palestine for periods longer than 90 days must have a permit and should only start traveling after having it.
As there have been some mistakes in trying to obtain student residence permits in Palestine, it is essential that sending universities in Europe and host universities in Palestine explain the students and other involved universities the procedure to be followed.
Thus, the permits must be requested by the host universities in Palestine on the student’s behalf before he/she travels. Once the host university receives a request from an Erasmus+ incoming student, it should apply for a permit to the Israeli Civil Administration (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories) liaison officer. Generally, student permits are assigned for three-month periods; when needed, permit extensions may be requested to the Palestinian Authority, which will forward them to the Israeli Civil Administration.