International funding opportunity: Financial aid for your time overseas
Erasmus+ Mobility Allowance for Students in Austria: Key Points
The Erasmus+ Mobility Program, a European Union initiative, offers financial support for students studying or doing internships abroad. One such destination is Austria, where the financial support is known as the Erasmus+ Mobility Allowance, provided by the Austrian Exchange Service (OeAD).
For the academic year 2025-2026, the Erasmus+ Mobility Allowance for a study semester in Austria is approximately 600 euros per month. This amount is based on Austria being in Group 1 countries, which have a monthly rate of 600€ (equivalent to 20€/day), reflecting the cost of living there.
To be eligible for the Erasmus+ Grant, the minimum duration of the funded mobility period is two complete months (around 60 days). The funding is only paid for active study days, defined as from the first day of lectures to the last exam day. Students must be officially selected and registered to participate in an Erasmus+ study mobility at a partner university in Austria and must not be completing their study period in their country of origin.
The grant covers two components: a Contribution to living costs (monthly allowance of around 600€ for Austria) and a Travel allowance, which is a one-time payment based on distance and travel mode. For example, travel distances between 500-1999 km have a green travel allowance of 417€ and a non-green travel allowance of 309€.
Additional funding may be available under specific circumstances, such as a "Fewer opportunities" top-up of 250€ per month for students with financial difficulties or medical needs, and special needs funding for students with disabilities.
In case of travel, students are encouraged to travel sustainably (green travel) and can receive a higher travel allowance by signing a Declaration of Honour promising to travel sustainably. The Erasmus+ grant period for UU students going on exchange is a maximum of 2 months plus 17 days, unless the exchange is mandatory within their study program.
If the mobility period includes online activities, only the actual time spent abroad counts for the grant eligibility and payment. It's important to note that the study stay must be between two and twelve months, with no more than twelve months per study cycle (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate). The grant is paid out in two installments, with 80% paid upon arrival and the remaining 20% paid after the stay.
In addition to the monthly allowance, there are one-time payments called Top-Ups that can be applied for via the "Mobility Online" platform. The amount of the grant may vary for internships abroad, so students should inform themselves at the Erasmus office of their university or the OeAD.
For all other non-EU countries, there is a €700 monthly grant for study abroad stays. To be eligible for the Erasmus+ scholarship, you need to have the status "Erasmus+ Student", which is obtained by signing the grant agreement on the platform "Mobility Online". It's crucial to remember that if you do not meet the requirements or terminate the stay, you must repay the grant.
For more exact and university-specific details, check with your home university Erasmus office, as universities may have slight variations in application procedures and additional funding options.
- Engaging in personal-finance management can help students budget their funds, ensuring they make the most of the Erasmus+ Mobility Allowance during their study semester in Austria.
- To effectively utilize the Erasmus+ Mobility Allowance for education-and-self-development purposes, students should also explore potential for additional funding through the "Fewer opportunities" top-up or special needs funding if they meet the necessary criteria.
