How much should you budget for studying abroad? The complete guide for 2025 (including Erasmus+)
What if the real trigger for going abroad wasn’t the dream… but a clear, precise, controlled budget? People often tell you that “Erasmus is expensive.” In reality, it’s all about preparation: knowing your fixed costs, estimating the cost of living in your destination country, and applying for Erasmus+ grants and other forms of financial aid. The result: a viable study or internship project abroad, without stress or unpleasant surprises. 🌍
We help you see the big picture and get it right: how much to budget per month, what the grant actually covers, how to reduce expenses (accommodation, transportation, insurance), and what financial aid to apply for at the right time. Spain, Belgium, Scandinavia, Germany… each destination has its own codes, prices, and opportunities. Want a frank, concrete, actionable guide to calculate the cost of your stay and go from “I’d like to” to “I’m going”? You’ve come to the right place. Ready to estimate your Erasmus budget and gain some freedom? ✈️
Essential expenses: tuition, travel, and insurance
During a university exchange, you remain enrolled in France at your higher education institution. You pay the usual tuition fees for your bachelor’s, master’s, engineering school, or doctoral program at your university or institute. In general, there are no or very low fees at the European host institution, but some specific fees may be added: local registration fees, application fees, student services fees, and sometimes housing insurance. You should check the “international” pages of the partner university and the international relations department to verify the conditions, criteria, and agreements in force.
Outside of exchanges or outside the European Union, the cost can rise sharply. A classic example is higher fees in an Anglo-Saxon country compared to a public university in Germany or Portugal. The type of training and the cycle also matter: first year, mobility semester, research project, internship, apprenticeship.
On the logistics side, anticipate the cost of round-trip travel and travel at the beginning and end of the period. Your choice of transportation will influence your budget and your environmental footprint: long-distance train, bus, plane, or a combination of modes. Some programs offer a “green travel” subsidy if you choose to travel by rail or bus. Depending on your destination, add administrative costs: visa, residence permit, postage, certified translation. In Europe, the formalities are less stringent, but some cities require registration if the mobility period exceeds a certain number of days.
Insurance is essential. In Europe, the European Health Insurance Card facilitates access to healthcare, but does not replace supplementary health insurance. Many institutions require broader international coverage and civil liability insurance, particularly for internships. Check the specific clauses for participants with disabilities: accommodations and support are available, with dedicated funding.
The cost of living on site: a key factor depending on the destination
Your monthly budget depends on the destination country, city, distance from campus, and type of accommodation. The Erasmus+ program classifies countries into cost-of-living groups. High-cost countries often include Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Luxembourg, and Norway. Others, such as Belgium, Germany, France, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Poland, Croatia, Serbia, and North Macedonia, have more varied levels, sometimes lower depending on the region. This classification by group serves as the basis for the amounts allocated.
Student accommodation is the biggest expense. University residences may be the cheapest and easiest solution when you first arrive. Shared accommodation remains very common and flexible. Studios offer independence, but the average cost is higher, especially in capitals such as Dublin, Copenhagen, and Luxembourg City. The international relations department often shares contacts for residences and verified offers, which makes the search more secure.
Add food, local transportation, mobile phone and internet, going out, and a small “discovery” budget for traveling in the foreign country. In Spain and Portugal, you can reduce expenses with student transportation cards. In Germany, some federal states offer discounted regional travel passes. In the Nordic countries, rent and food are more expensive, but public services are of high quality. The aim is to estimate a realistic budget and then add a safety margin of 10 to 15% to cover any unexpected expenses during your stay. 🌍
Assess your main source of support: the Erasmus+ grant and combined support
The Erasmus+ grant is financial support awarded by your institution in France as part of the program managed with the European Commission. It is a contribution towards living expenses, calculated in euros per month according to the country group and type of mobility (studies or internship). Under certain conditions, it can be combined with other support schemes.
Amounts, supplements, and calculation method
The amount of the grant depends on the type of mobility, the destination, and the actual length of the stay. For internships, the monthly contribution is generally slightly higher than for study mobility, as the expenses related to the activity in the company may be higher. The duration is calculated in days and converted into months for payment. The total amount corresponds to the monthly base multiplied by the period, prorated if necessary.
Supplements are available. The inclusion supplement is aimed at students receiving grants based on social criteria and participants with disabilities or specific needs. It can cover support, equipment, and adapted transportation expenses. The “green travel” package rewards sustainable means of transportation. Some institutions offer specific assistance for overseas students. Each supplement is awarded based on criteria and can be combined with the basic scholarship, within the limits of the program rules.
For a simulation, identify the destination country group, the type of mobility, and the estimated duration. Apply the corresponding monthly amount, then add any eligible supplements. Compare this total with the expected cost of living (accommodation, food, transportation, insurance). Adjust your plans if the difference is too great: change cities, choose to share accommodation, postpone by a semester, or opt for a paid internship.
Procedures, other assistance, and payment
The procedure begins at your educational institution in France. Submit your scholarship application with the required documents: study contract or internship agreement, BCS certificate if you are a scholarship recipient, bank details, and a detailed schedule. The international relations department validates the type of mobility, the country group, and the duration, and manages contact with the host university. It is your point of contact for all updated information, including the specific conditions of the destination country and the documents to be provided.
In terms of cumulative aid, the International Mobility Grant (AMI) can reach €400 per month for a limited number of months per cycle, subject to conditions and the decision of the institution. It is designed for students receiving grants based on social criteria and can be combined with the Erasmus+ grant. Regions, departments, cities, foundations, and partner companies also offer grants, contributions to travel expenses, or financial support for departure. Find out early, as budgets are sometimes allocated quickly. In the case of Erasmus Mundus joint master’s degrees, the framework is specific: the amounts and management depend on the European consortium and often cover tuition fees plus a monthly grant.
The Erasmus+ grant is paid in two or three installments. A large deposit is sent at the beginning, after confirmation of attendance. The balance is paid at the end, based on the actual dates recorded on your attendance certificate and European questionnaires. If you find yourself facing a gap between your initial expenses (deposit, first month’s rent, travel costs) and the first payment, talk to the department to discuss a certificate for the landlord, a payment schedule, or an emergency fund. The aim is to help every participant in the program get off to a good start, without having to give up for financial reasons. ✅
Budget locked in, set sail for Erasmus 🚀
As you can see, calculating “how much Erasmus costs” is no headache when you have the right method. You distinguish between fixed departure costs, estimate the cost of living according to your destination, simulate the amount of your Erasmus+ grant (and any supplements), then activate the AMI and regional aid if you are eligible. In Spain, Belgium, Germany, or the Nordic countries, your budget will change, but your goal remains the same: anticipate, compare, adjust. The result: a viable mobility program, without stress and with a solid plan. ✨
The rest is simple. Contact the international relations department, confirm your type of mobility (studies or internship), its duration and your country group, submit your grant application on time, and keep all the necessary documentation for a smooth payment process. If you are a scholarship recipient based on social criteria or disability, consider the inclusion supplement; if you choose to travel by train or bus, aim for “green travel.” Every euro counts, every step brings you closer to departure.
Ultimately, Erasmus+ is more than a budget: it’s an accelerator for life, skills, and openness. You gain a language, friends, European references, and confidence that will change the rest of your studies, whether you’re pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree. So, are you ready to go? Set your destination, lock in your numbers, send in your application, and pack your bags. Your international project starts now, and it has everything it needs to succeed.
