What will it cost?

Erasmus+ does not come free, and the costs vary from country to country and according to the period of time you spend abroad. While you are not charged for tuition at the host university, you will need to budget for flights, accommodation, food, and other general expenses. Some countries are more expensive than others, as are some cities, and the level of extra expenditure involved will also depend on whether or not you are currently living at home. If you are, you will find that accommodation will become a major cost. However, if you are already paying rent in Galway, you might find that accommodation costs are cheaper abroad than they are here in Ireland. In some countries you may be entitled to some financial assistance towards the cost of your rent.

For example, in France you may be able to get a substantial rent rebate of up to approximately 50%. Your hostn university will have details on the procedure for applying for this. A rough estimate of costs for a 9-10 month period abroad could be between €7,000 and €10,000 including rent, food, books, and other essentials. However, much will depend on your own particular needs and budgeting skills.

You will also need to keep in mind travel costs, including two return flights, as most students who are away for the full academic year return home for the Christmas holiday period. Some students may find that they have to pay a fee for special language classes for Erasmus+ students. Receipts for such courses should be kept carefully, as it may be possible to claim assistance later with the costs; the International Office will advise. Registration/tuition fees are not normally payable to your host university, other than in particular circumstances such as field trips, language courses, etc. Some German universities will require you to pay a Semesterbeitrag, which will include a local transport ticket and a student service fee.

What funding is available?

Students can apply for an Erasmus+ mobility grant, which is intended as a contribution towards the cost of the study period abroad. It is hoped, but by no means guaranteed, that all eligible students may receive a grant. Grant amounts will vary for different destination countries according to the country/cost of living guidelines set down by the European Commission. Countries such as Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Sweden (“Group 1”) are considered expensive, and the grant rate for these in 2024 was €385 per month. Group 2 includes Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, and Spain, and the 2024 monthly grant rate for these was €330, while the same monthly rate of €330 applied to Group 3 countries like Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. The grant amounts may vary from year to year, depending on the instructions from the HEA.

If you have been approved to receive a grant, you will get a confirmation of Erasmus+ funding from the International Office, and you may be required to show this to the authorities at your host university.

If you are currently in receipt of a SUSI maintenance grant, you should be able to continue availing of this while abroad. If the maintenance component of your SUSI grant has been based on the assumption that you are living at home, the increased “away from home” grant may be paid to you while you are abroad. You may need to produce a letter from the School or College that is nominating you, indicating that your period of study abroad is “compulsory” and “an integral part of the course” that you are taking.

Some students who are deemed to be financially disadvantaged may qualify for supplementary funding under the Social Inclusion Supplementary Support Initiative (SISSI); in 2023/24, this was €250 per month. Eligible students will be identified and contacted by the International Office; there is no need for you to apply for this. Because it takes some time to get confirmation of SUSI status and therefore establish students’ eligibility, full-year students deemed eligible for SISSI may normally expect to receive a first instalment of this in February. Semester 1 and Semester 2 students deemed eligible for SISSI will have the SISSI payment incorporated into their final grant instalment.

Students with disabilities or special needs may be entitled to apply for extra funds from the Erasmus+ programme. Please contact the International Office for further details. You should note that this assistance is aimed at students who have a disability or special needs that would otherwise impact significantly on their ability to participate in Erasmus+, and the support that may be offered is intended to help with the additional costs that would be incurred, for instance, a personal assistant, adapted accommodation, special transport, special didactic equipment, or assistive technology, etc. This funding does not apply to regular medical expenses that would normally be incurred here in Ireland.

If you are in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance, you should be able to continue receiving this as long as your Erasmus+ study visit is part of your degree programme.

Some students may wish to avail of language classes relevant to their studies, and in these cases a course fee may be payable to the host university. Receipts for such courses should be kept carefully, as it may be possible to claim assistance later with the costs; the International Office will advise.

Now that you are aware of the costs involved, you can start planning ahead. Discuss everything with your parents or guardians well in advance. Start saving early to ensure that you have adequate funds to support yourself while you are abroad. (Note: All EU citizens are entitled to work in other EU member states, but you should check whether your host university has a rule about the number of hours that exchange students may work during term-time.)

How and when the Erasmus+ grant will be paid

The Erasmus+ grant will usually be paid in two instalments, the first (and largest) of these at the beginning of your studies abroad. The final instalment will be paid after you return, provided your file is complete and your studies have been concluded satisfactorily.

Full-year students deemed eligible for SISSI may normally expect to receive a first instalment of this in February. Semester 1 and Semester 2 students deemed eligible for SISSI will have the SISSI payment incorporated into their final grant instalment.

Your grant payments will be transferred to your Irish bank account, using the sort code and account number you provided on your Erasmus+ grant application form (unless you have subsequently advised us otherwise), and you will be notified by email whenever payments are being made.