How to fund your internship abroad: tips and tricks

Erasmus+ internship grant

No internship, no degree: internship semesters abroad are compulsory for many students. You’ve probably heard stories of Erasmus years abroad, but did you know the programme also helps students pay for their international internship?

To benefit from the Erasmus+ internship grant, you must:

• be completing at least your first year of higher education studies;

• be enrolled in a university which has signed the Extended Erasmus+ University Charter;

• Choose an internship that is relevant to your degree and personal development needs;

• sign an internship agreement for an internship of 2 to 12 months maximum.

Do you meet these requirements? To prepare and submit your application, get in touch with your university’s International Office. The Erasmus programme allows you to land an internship in one of 33 participating countries. Internships may last between two and twelve months. 

The Erasmus+ internship grant is between €350 and €750 per month if you are going to an EU country and €700 for non-EU countries, but be aware that it can also be combined with other grants (e.g. those awarded on social criteria).

Are you an apprentice?

As an apprentice or recent secondary vocational education graduate, you can also get an Erasmus+ internship grant during the year following your graduation. Your application must be submitted while you are still enrolled at your institution.

Eurodyssey programme

VAre you a job seeker experiencing a rather disappointing job search? Are you no longer a student but still wish to complete an international internship? The Eurodyssey programme can partly finance your traineeship abroad, regardless of your educational and professional background. To be eligible, all you need to do is:

- be a jobseeker;

- live in one of the member regions of the Assembly of European Regions (AER);

- be between 18 and 30 years old (some regions can admit trainees up to 35 years old).

How about a junior export manager work placement in Catalonia, or a cooking internship in the Umbria region of Italy? All internship offers are posted on the Eurodyssée website. If you are selected, the programme will pay for:

• all or part the accommodation expenses;

• language classes in the host region;

• international internship insurance.

Interns also receive a monthly grant: amounts vary depending on the destination. Work placements may last between three and seven months. An internship certificate is delivered to all returnees, as long as they submit a report to their home and/or host region.

Other possible funding

Some universities offer internship grants to students wishing to gain international experience. In addition, your city or region may offer grants to encourage young people's mobility.

To find out more about international internship grants:

Browse the European Commission website for detailed information about European programmes and grants.