The European Parliament has set out its position on the next Erasmus+ programme, the one that will take over from 2028. As an international student, one point matters to you in particular: mobility grants that would be adjusted to the cost of living in your host city. Great news if you live in a city like Paris, Marseille or Lyon, where everything is noticeably more expensive.
What the European Parliament voted on 22 October
On 22 October 2026, MEPs adopted their negotiating mandate on Erasmus+ 2028-2034, with 454 votes in favour, 34 against and 93 abstentions.
They are calling for a budget of €47.39 billion (in current prices) over seven years. The European Commission had proposed €40.8 billion in July 2025, a gap of around €6.6 billion. Parliament also wants a fixed share of the budget set aside for each area: 74.6% for education and training, 15% for youth and volunteering, and 4.1% for sport (European Parliament press release).
A quick reminder of how the European Union (EU) works: the European Commission proposes a text, then the European Parliament and the Council of the EU (the governments of the 27 member states) negotiate a joint version. This vote is Parliament's starting position, not the final decision.
Grants matched to the cost of living in your city
Parliament supports grants that reflect differences in cost of living, housing prices and inflation between host countries, regions and cities. It also wants better coverage of travel costs for students going to or coming from distant places, and regular reviews of grant amounts so they keep pace with real costs.
At the moment, the amount of an Erasmus+ grant depends on the type of mobility, its length, the sending country and the host country, according to the Agence Erasmus+ France. The city plays no part in the calculation. Under Parliament's proposal, a stay in Paris or another big city with high rents could receive more funding than a stay in a cheaper city such as Brest or Troyes. The text does not yet include any amounts or city-by-city scale, but we'll keep you posted as soon as that changes 😉
Parliament also wants to open the programme to more people: those in vocational training, their teachers and trainers, and amateur athletes. The European Solidarity Corps, the EU's volunteering programme, would become part of Erasmus+.
Grant amounts are a hot topic in France too. On the sidelines of a conference on apprentice mobility held on 15 October 2026 with the Agence Erasmus+ France, apprentices asked for a higher grant to cope with transport and housing costs. The agency's director, Nelly Fesseau, called for a larger Erasmus+ 2028-2034 budget.
UK and Switzerland: calls for closer ties
Parliament is calling for closer ties with the United Kingdom and Switzerland, as well as faster access to the programme for EU candidate countries.
For the United Kingdom, one step has already been taken: on 15 April 2026, the EU and London confirmed the UK's association to Erasmus+ in 2027 (European Commission). Association puts UK students and institutions on the same footing as those in EU countries. The agreement covers 2027, the last year of the current programme, so UK participation in the 2028-2034 programme has not yet been decided. On the UK side, the Turing Scheme, which replaced Erasmus+ after Brexit, ends after the 2026-2027 academic year.
Switzerland, which does not take part in Erasmus+ today, is aiming for association in 2027, but its parliament still has to approve the funding, according to the Swiss agency Movetia.
Timeline: nothing changes before 2028
Here is where the three institutions negotiating the text stand:
| Institution | Date | Position on the budget |
|---|---|---|
| European Commission | 16 July 2025 | Proposal of €40.8 billion |
| Council of the EU (member states) | 11 May 2026 | Partial position, budget left to the agreement on the long-term budget |
| European Parliament | 22 October 2026 | Call for €47.39 billion |
The Erasmus+ budget depends on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU's long-term budget for 2028-2034, which is being negotiated in parallel. Parliament says it is ready to negotiate as soon as member states have adopted their full mandate, including the amounts. No date has been announced for the final negotiations.
Until then, the current rules apply. Your grant is still set by your sending institution, based on the rates for your home country. If you're preparing a stay in France, our Erasmus in France guide covers budget, housing and paperwork.
Sources
- European Parliament – A better-equipped Erasmus+ 2028-2034 to address the EU's strategic challenges
- Council of the EU – Erasmus+: Council agrees position on the EU's flagship programme for education and training, youth and sport
- European Commission – European Union and United Kingdom take decisive step towards Erasmus+ association in 2027
- Agence Erasmus+ France – A day to look ahead to the European Apprenticeship Area
- Movetia – New developments for Erasmus+
