Erasmus+ study and work placements

Guidance relevant to your individual circumstances should be provided in the first instance by your host university/organisation/employer.

It is also important that you keep yourself regularly updated with information from:

• Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel guides
• FCDO living guides
• Your current host institution or organisation (and your next host, if you are planning to move to a new placement in the spring term)
• The embassy website for your current or future country of residence

We will also keep you updated with what we understand the general guidance to be at the time when it is available (however, each student’s particular circumstances will be different and students should  ensure that they keep themselves informed and updated accordingly).

No. The UK government’s announcement that the UK will not participate in Erasmus in the future relates to the new programme (2021-2027), not the existing programme. Students undertaking study and/or work placements during 2020/21 in countries participating in the Erasmus+ programme will be eligible to receive Erasmus+ funding for the duration of their placement(s), even if they start after 31 December 2020. Standard eligibility requirements remain in place.

The FCDO provides information and guidance on its Living in the EU and EEA pages. Country-specific information can be found at:

• Austria: Living Guide and Travel Advice

• Belgium: Living Guide and Travel Advice

• Cyprus: Living Guide and Travel Advice

• Czech Republic: Living Guide and Travel Advice

• France: Living Guide and Travel Advice

• Germany: Living Guide and Travel Advice

• Hungary: Living Guide and Travel Advice

• Netherlands: Living Guide and Travel Advice

• Italy: Living Guide and Travel Advice

• Île de la Réunion: Living Guide and Travel Advice

• Spain: Living Guide and Travel Advice

• Switzerland: Living Guide and Travel Advice

Students are encouraged to contact their host institution / organisation for further detailed information. Unfortunately, the University of Reading is not qualified to comment on immigration matters for countries except for the UK.

The need to complete a Risk Assessment for each country where you undertake a placement is unaffected by the end of the transition period. You do not need to complete a new Risk Assessment if you will remain in the same host country after 31 December 2020. However, if you are due to start a new placement from 1 January 2021 onwards you must submit a new Risk Assessment for that country and gain University written approval to travel at least 28 days in advance of the proposed start the placement.

The end of the Brexit transition period has coincided with the new national lockdown in the UK in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has made the situation more complicated:
Students are recommended to:

- Liaise with host university / organisation to find out if there will be any changes to your placement as a result of the pandemic, and whether these might impact your placement and decision to travel (e.g. online tuition only/ closed offices etc). 
- Check the rules and guidance in place at your destination and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice. 
- Be aware that some countries have closed borders because of the COVID-19 pandemic and may further restrict movement or bring in new rules, including testing requirements, with little warning. The FCDO will normally provide updated information, as will the Embassy websites for your host country.
 Use information sources e.g. host university / organisation, FCDO and Embassy websites to check what immigration and residency requirements have been put in place, and what documents and evidence you might require in order to be able to meet these requirements. 

If travelling, we continue to recommend that you keep the following easily accessible (noting that this is not an exhaustive list of what else you may require to show):
- proof of enrolment / employment from your host institution/employer
- proof of Erasmus status (i.e. letter provided by the Erasmus & Study Abroad Office)
- a copy of the University of Reading Travel Insurance Cover note, and any other insurance you might have taken out
- any proof of finances (e.g. Erasmus grant confirmation, proof of Student Finance funding, etc)
- proof of a negative COVID-19 test (if this is required – please check prior to travel)

The issues around travel within the EU as a UK citizen after 31 December remain unclear. We expect clarity on this topic from both the FCDO and EU National Governments once the EU-UK negotiations have concluded. However, students should be aware that the current freedom to move between EU countries is likely to be impacted from 1 January 2021 by the UK’s new relationship with the EU. We recommend that you check with embassies and your host university/organisation for updates before making any travel plans. If you are a non-UK citizen, please check the guidance provided by your home country.

We have provided the  following  non-exhaustive list of potential additional costs that may be incurred, which is correct at the present time and to the best of our knowledge.

• Visa / Immigration charges: It is possible that individual countries might charge to apply for immigration visas where due to be parting of the EU freedom of movement once applied. Students are recommended to gain further information from their host institution / organisation, as well as Embassy webpages and FCDO.
• Mobile phone tariffs: Using your phone in the EU may become more expensive and your operator may not continue to provide free EU roaming. New legislation will limit the maximum data roaming charge you can unknowingly incur to £45. Check with your operator and turn off roaming and data services if you are concerned about this. You may be better advised to buy a local SIM card once in your host country.
• Bank card charges: Check with your bank regarding any changes to current policies and charges. You are, in any case, advised to open a local bank account when on placement where this is possible.
• Driving in the EU: The documentation required for driving in the EU will vary depending on the country you are travelling to, but you will probably have to apply for an EU driving licence. Further information is published on the.
• Passports: Please check that your passport is valid for at least six months after the planned end-date of your placement.
• In some countries there may be administration costs associated with residency cards, student visas or work permits.

There may be other additional costs not listed here or not currently known that you may be responsible for.

Please contact us if you have any queries and we will do our best to help.

If you find that you are unable to complete your placement as planned due to Brexit, either in person or remotely, please contact the Erasmus and Study Abroad Office as a matter of urgency. 

Regardless of whether the placement is a compulsory or voluntary part of your studies here, we will work with you to identify the best course of action.

We are committed to ensuring study exchanges with our European partners will continue in the future irrespective of the political negotiations between the UK and EU. Administrative requirements might change, but opportunities to study abroad in Europe will remain.

Work placements might still be possible, however not being part of the EU could make this more difficult. Requirements and eligibility will vary country-to-country. If you wish to work abroad in Europe please consult with your School placement coordinator.

Erasmus funding is available to support outgoing mobilities to eligible countries in 2021/22. Standard eligibility requirements remain.

Your UK EHIC continues to be valid in the EU. A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU.

If you do not have a card you can get a provisional replacement certificate (PRC) if you need treatment.

The EHIC will soon be replaced with a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). However, your EHIC is valid in the EU until it expires. You do not need to apply for a GHIC if you already have an EHIC. Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC.

Please beware of unofficial websites, which may charge if you apply for a GHIC through them. An EHIC or GHIC is free of charge and available through the NHS website.

NHS Website for GHIC Applications: https://www.ghic.org.uk/Internet/startApplication.do 

As a University of Reading student, you are covered by the University’s travel insurance policy for medical emergencies as long as you have completed the risk assessment form, been granted University approval to travel, and have updated RISIS with the relevant contact details and information about your placement.

The University of Reading travel insurance policy does not provide cover for routine medical costs, but please see the information below regarding the EHIC.. It is important to ensure your health and personal needs are covered. Please note you are covered by UoR insurance for medical emergencies.

Information about the University of Reading insurance can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/finance/Insurance/fcs-ins-business.aspx.

The EHIC usually covers medically necessary state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost or, in many cases, free of charge, until your planned return home. This includes treatment of a chronic or pre-existing medical condition, that becomes necessary during your visit. The EHIC also covers routine medical care for people with pre-existing conditions that need monitoring. We encourage you to have a careful read of what is covered on the NHS EHIC website as everyone’s personal circumstances and medical requirements may be differ.

If you are ineligible for the updated EHIC card for a placement in the spring/summer term  you should consider taking out your own medical insurance to cover routine medical items that would have previously been covered by the EHIC. It is important to ensure your health and personal needs are covered.

You can also find out more in the GOV.UK country healthcare guides.

For emergency medical and travel assistance, we recommend that you please contact the medical assistance company Healix in the first instance so that they can advise you on the next steps based on your circumstances. Please download the Healix app.

They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can contact them via the App or on +44 (0) 2086 084 100 or by email at rsa@healix.com.

Students can contact the Erasmus & Study Abroad Office (studyabroad@reading.ac.uk) with general queries.

Students should contact their academic school / department via the Study Abroad / Year Abroad Coordinator with any academic queries.