Erasmus+ is the most widely used study abroad pathway for Turkish students — and Turkey's status as a full Program Country (not just a partner country) means Turkish students enrolled at Turkish universities get access to the same mobility funding as EU students. This guide explains how it works, how to apply, and what to expect.
Turkey's Status in Erasmus+: Program Country, Not Partner Country
This distinction matters enormously:
| Status | What it means | Turkish students |
|---|---|---|
| Program Country | Full, equal participation — same access to funding, types of mobility, grant amounts | ✅ Turkey has been a Program Country since 2014 |
| Partner Country | Limited access, usually only as receiving institution or specific bilateral agreements | ❌ Turkey is NOT a partner country — it is a full member |
As a Program Country, Turkish students can:
- Study abroad at any other Erasmus+ Program Country university (all EU member states + Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, Tunisia, and others)
- Receive the same monthly Erasmus+ grants as, for example, a Spanish or German student going on exchange
- Do internships (Erasmus+ Traineeships) in European companies
How Erasmus+ Works for Turkish Students
The Core Mechanism
Erasmus+ for student mobility is arranged through your home Turkish university, not through an application to the EU or to Erasmus directly. Your university:
- Holds an Erasmus Institutional Charter (or equivalent Erasmus accreditation)
- Has signed bilateral agreements with specific partner universities in other countries
- Manages the selection process and nominates selected students to partner universities
- Receives the Erasmus+ grant from the Turkish National Agency and pays it to you
You do not apply to Erasmus directly. You apply to your own university's Erasmus office.
What You Need to Be Eligible
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Enrolled at a Turkish HEI | Must be currently studying at a Turkish university that holds an Erasmus charter |
| Minimum academic standing | Typically a minimum GPA (varies by university — often 2.5/4.0 or 2.0/4.0) |
| Level | All levels — bachelor's, master's, PhD |
| Previous Erasmus use | You can receive Erasmus+ funding multiple times, but there is a lifetime cap of 12 months per cycle (bachelor's, master's, PhD are separate cycles) |
| Language requirement | Depends on the host university's teaching language — you will need to demonstrate a sufficient level |
The Application Process
Step 1: Find Your University's Erasmus Office
Every Turkish university with an Erasmus charter has an international office (Uluslararası İlişkiler Ofisi) or Erasmus coordinator. This is your first point of contact — not the European Commission.
Step 2: Check Available Partner Universities
Your university has a list of bilateral agreements with specific partner universities. You can only apply to universities your home institution has an agreement with in your programme area. If your top-choice country or university is not on the list, you cannot use Erasmus+ to go there (though your university may be able to add new partners — ask the Erasmus office).
Step 3: Internal Selection (typically February – April for the following academic year)
Your university runs its own competitive selection process. Selection criteria typically include:
- GPA (weighted heavily)
- Language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL score for English-taught host universities; other language certs for non-English destinations)
- Motivation letter
- Interview (some universities)
Apply during your university's announced Erasmus selection period — typically February to April for exchanges starting the following September. Some universities also have a second round for February-start exchanges (October – November selection).
Step 4: Nomination by Your University
If selected, your home university nominates you to the host university. The host university then sends you an application form for their own enrolment.
Step 5: Learning Agreement
Before departure, you must complete a Learning Agreement — a formal document agreed by you, your home university, and the host university listing which courses you will take abroad and which home university credits they replace. This is the document that ensures your Erasmus credits transfer back.
Step 6: Go, Study, and Receive Your Grant
The Erasmus+ grant is paid monthly by your Turkish university (from the funds it receives from the Turkish National Agency). You continue to be enrolled at your home university — you do not pay tuition at the host university.
Step 7: Return and Credit Recognition
Upon return, submit your Transcript of Records from the host university to your Turkish university. Your home university must recognise the credits agreed in the Learning Agreement — this is a formal obligation under Erasmus+ rules.
Grant Amounts for Turkish Students (2026)
Erasmus+ grant amounts are set per destination country group. Turkey is in the same group calculation as other Program Countries:
| Host Country Group | Monthly Grant (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Group 1 (higher cost): Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, UK | ~€700/month |
| Group 2 (medium cost): Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Malta, Portugal, Spain | ~€500–600/month |
| Group 3 (lower cost): Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Georgia, Tunisia | ~€310–400/month |
Important: The grant is a contribution, not a full scholarship. Living costs in Western Europe significantly exceed the grant amount. Most Turkish students on Erasmus+ supplement with personal savings, part-time work, or family support.
Additionally, travel allowances are provided based on the distance from your home city to the host city.
Language Requirements
For exchanges at English-taught host universities:
| Destination | Language needed | Common requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands, Scandinavia, most English-medium programmes | English (B2 minimum) | IELTS 5.5–6.0 or TOEFL equivalent |
| Germany (English programmes) | English (B2) | IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL equivalent |
| Spain, France, Italy, Portugal | Spanish/French/Italian (B1–B2) | Language certificate — OR English-taught programmes available |
| Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary | English or local language | Many English-taught programmes available, especially for science and business |
OLS (Online Language Support): Erasmus+ provides access to an online language learning platform (formerly OLS, now integrated into Erasmus+ app) for students to prepare in the host language before departure. This is provided free as part of your mobility.
See our IELTS vs TOEFL for Turkish Students guide for help deciding which test to prepare for.
Popular Erasmus+ Destinations for Turkish Students
Based on historical mobility patterns, the most popular destinations for Turkish students are:
| Rank | Country | Why Popular |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | Large Turkish community, strong academic reputation, many English programmes |
| 2 | Spain | Mild climate, vibrant culture, Spanish language accessible, lower cost |
| 3 | Poland | Low cost of living, many English-taught programmes, growing city life |
| 4 | Italy | History, culture, architecture, fashion and design programmes |
| 5 | Czech Republic | Very low cost, Prague's student life, many English programmes |
| 6 | Netherlands | Highly English-medium, international environment, strong universities |
| 7 | Portugal | Lower costs, Portuguese similar to Spanish, warm climate |
| 8 | France | Language prestige, grandes écoles partnerships, strong alumni networks |
Credit Transfer: What Actually Happens
The Learning Agreement is legally binding for both your home and host university. In practice:
- Courses you take abroad should replace equivalent home courses, or count as electives
- Not all systems match perfectly — work with your academic advisor and Erasmus coordinator before finalising your Learning Agreement to ensure courses are accepted
- Grade conversion: EU universities use ECTS grading. Your home university should have a conversion table — ask in advance
If your host university changes a course listing after your arrival, a revised Learning Agreement (After Mobility) can be submitted. Document everything in writing.
Erasmus+ Internships (Traineeships)
Beyond study, Turkish students can also do Erasmus+ Traineeships — paid internships at European companies or organisations. This is a separate mobility from study exchange but uses the same grant system:
- Duration: 2–12 months
- You must arrange the internship yourself (or through platforms like Erasmus Intern, IAESTE, or AIESEC)
- Your university submits the grant on your behalf
- Grant amounts are slightly higher than study grants
- Can be done during or immediately after your degree
After Erasmus: What Changes
Turkish employers increasingly value Erasmus experience as evidence of cross-cultural adaptability, European language skills, and academic initiative. In sectors with European business connections (manufacturing, technology, consulting, finance), an Erasmus semester in Germany, Netherlands, or France is a meaningful CV point.
If you want to continue studying in Europe after Erasmus, your Erasmus transcript from a European university is direct evidence of your ability to study in that country's academic system — useful for master's applications to the same or similar European institutions.
Prepare for IELTS or TOEFL with Gabble — most English-taught Erasmus host programmes in the Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavia require an IELTS or TOEFL score as part of the selection process. AI-powered practice with instant band scores helps you reach your target before your university's internal Erasmus selection deadline.