Want to study at a European university without paying tuition fees abroad? The Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility programme could help you do exactly that. It gives eligible students the chance to complete a funded study period at a partner university in Europe for between two and twelve months.
For the 2026/2027 academic cycle, Erasmus+ ICM, also known as KA171, is open to students from partner countries worldwide. Selected students may receive a monthly living allowance, travel support, and tuition-free study at the host institution. The key point is simple: you do not usually apply directly to Erasmus+. You apply through your current university’s international office.
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Why Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility Stands Out
Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility is not a full degree scholarship. Instead, it funds a temporary exchange period between your home university and an eligible partner university abroad. You remain enrolled at your current institution while earning academic credits during your mobility period.
This matters because it allows you to experience European education, improve your language and professional skills, and make international connections while staying on track with your existing degree. Your courses abroad are normally agreed in advance through a learning agreement, helping ensure that completed credits can count toward your programme at home.
The scheme is built around institutional partnerships. A European university must have an approved Erasmus+ agreement with your university before a mobility place can be offered. That is why your university’s international relations or exchange office is your first and most important contact point.
Erasmus+ ICM 2026/2027 at a Glance
Item
Details
Programme
Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility, also called ICM or KA171
Study destination
Eligible European universities and approved non-EU partner institutions
Mobility duration
Two to twelve months
Tuition fees at host university
Zero tuition fees for the approved exchange period
Monthly support
Usually €800 to €900 per month for eligible incoming students to Europe
Travel support
Up to €1,735, based on the travel distance and mobility route
Who applies
Students nominated by their home university under an approved partnership
Application route
Through your home university’s international office
What the Erasmus+ ICM Grant Covers
The funding package is designed to reduce the financial pressure of studying abroad. However, your final award depends on the mobility route, host location, available institutional funding, and the specific agreement between the two universities.
Monthly Stipend for Students Going to Europe
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Students from non-EU partner countries who are selected to study at a European host university can receive a monthly Erasmus+ grant of approximately €800 to €900 per month. This payment is meant to help with living costs such as accommodation, food, local transport, study materials, and basic day-to-day expenses.
The exact amount can vary. Your university should confirm the approved monthly grant before you accept the mobility offer. Ask whether the payment will be made before departure, after arrival, or in instalments during your exchange.
Funding for EU Students Going to Partner Countries
Erasmus+ ICM also supports students from European universities who travel to approved non-EU partner countries. Their grant amount is determined under the relevant mobility agreement and can differ from the funding available to students travelling into Europe.
If you are currently enrolled at a European university and want to study in a partner country outside the EU, speak with your international office about available KA171 destinations and grant conditions.
Additional Top-Up Support
Some participants may qualify for additional top-up funding. This can apply where extra financial support is available for students with fewer opportunities or specific circumstances. These top-ups are not automatic, so ask your university directly whether you can be assessed for any extra Erasmus+ support.
Travel Grant
Selected participants may receive travel assistance of up to €1,735. The travel grant is usually calculated according to the distance between your home institution and your host university. Longer travel routes may receive higher support, while shorter journeys may receive less.
Travel funding is intended to contribute toward your international journey. It may not cover every cost connected to visas, baggage, airport transfers, insurance, or personal travel plans. Budget carefully until you receive your official funding agreement.
Who Can Apply for Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility?
This programme is open to students worldwide, but there is one major condition: your home university must have an active Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility agreement with the university where you want to study. You cannot normally choose any European university and apply independently.
Eligibility Area
What You Need
Student status
You must be enrolled at a participating home university.
University partnership
Your home university and host university must have an approved Erasmus+ ICM or KA171 mobility agreement.
Academic fit
Your proposed courses should be relevant to your current programme of study.
Academic record
You may need to meet your university’s academic selection standards.
Language ability
You must meet the teaching language requirements of the host university where required.
Mobility period
You must be available to study abroad for at least two months and no more than twelve months.
Travel documents
You must be able to obtain a valid passport, visa, residence permission, or other documents required for the host country.
Eligible Countries and Partner Regions
Erasmus+ ICM works through partnerships between European higher education institutions and universities in eligible partner regions around the world. Students may come from non-EU partner countries to study in Europe, while students at European institutions may travel to approved non-EU partner universities.
The available destinations are not the same for every applicant. They depend entirely on your university’s existing agreements, the fields of study covered, available funding, and the number of mobility places approved for the 2026/2027 cycle.
Do not assume that a country or university is available simply because it participates in Erasmus+ activities. Ask your international office for the current list of partner institutions, eligible departments, and available exchange places.
What Erasmus+ ICM May Not Cover
The programme provides valuable support, but it is important to understand the limits before you apply. The monthly grant and travel contribution may not cover every personal expense during your stay abroad, especially in cities with high rent and living costs.
The grant may not pay for all accommodation, meals, local travel, or personal expenses.
Visa fees, insurance costs, residence permits, document translation, and medical expenses may be your responsibility.
Funding is not guaranteed for every student who meets the basic requirements.
You may not be able to study at a university that does not have an approved agreement with your home institution.
Erasmus+ ICM does not automatically provide a full degree abroad or a permanent immigration pathway.
Read your grant agreement carefully once selected. It will explain what is funded, what you must arrange yourself, and what happens if your mobility period changes.
How the Erasmus+ ICM Selection Process Works
Unlike many scholarships, Erasmus+ ICM is mainly managed by universities. The European host institution receives Erasmus+ funding and works with its approved partner institutions to select and nominate students.
Your home university may announce available places through its website, student email system, faculty noticeboard, or international office. You submit your application to your home institution, not to a general public Erasmus+ portal. If selected, your home university nominates you to the host university for the exchange.
The host university then reviews the nomination and helps complete the admission, course selection, learning agreement, grant agreement, and immigration steps. Selection can be competitive, particularly when only a small number of funded places are available.
How to Apply for Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility
Contact your international office. Ask whether your university has Erasmus+ ICM or KA171 agreements for the 2026/2027 academic cycle.
Request the list of partner universities. Check available destinations, degree levels, academic departments, language requirements, and mobility duration.
Confirm your eligibility. Make sure your programme, academic status, and proposed study period match the exchange requirements.
Prepare your documents. Your university may request academic transcripts, a CV, passport copy, motivation letter, language evidence, and a proposed study plan.
Apply through your home university. Submit your documents before your institution’s internal deadline.
Wait for nomination and host approval. If your home university selects you, it will nominate you to the host university.
Complete the learning and grant agreements. Confirm your courses, mobility dates, grant amount, and participant responsibilities before departure.
Arrange your travel documents. Apply for any required student visa, residence authorisation, insurance, and travel arrangements after receiving the necessary documents.
Deadline for the 2026/2027 Cycle
There is no single worldwide Erasmus+ ICM deadline because each university runs its own internal selection process. Your application deadline may differ depending on your home institution, host university, faculty, and intended mobility period.
Visit the official website for the current deadline, and contact your university’s international office as early as possible. Internal deadlines can be earlier than students expect because universities need time to complete nominations and travel documentation.
Can I apply directly to Erasmus+ ICM as an international student?
Usually, no. Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility applications are managed through participating universities. You must first check whether your home university has an approved agreement with a suitable host institution.
Is Erasmus+ ICM fully funded?
The programme can provide strong financial support through zero host tuition fees, a monthly stipend, and travel assistance. However, the grant may not cover every personal cost. Review the final grant agreement and prepare additional funds if needed.
How long can I study abroad through Erasmus+ ICM?
The funded study mobility period can last from two to twelve months, depending on the agreement and your approved study plan.
Do I need to pay tuition fees at the host university?
Selected Erasmus+ ICM participants do not pay tuition fees to the host university for the approved exchange period. You should still check whether your home university has any separate fees or enrolment requirements.
Can students from any country apply?
Students worldwide may be considered if they are enrolled at a university with an eligible Erasmus+ ICM partnership. Availability depends on partner-country arrangements and the agreements held by your institution.
Take Your Next Step
Do not wait for a public application link that may never appear. Contact your university’s international office, ask about Erasmus+ ICM places for 2026/2027, and start preparing your documents. Your funded study experience in Europe could begin with one simple question today.
