Traineeships

• Your internship is based on an Erasmus+ traineeship learning agreement that is signed by you, Saarland University and the host organization.
• The learning outcomes, i.e. the knowledge and skills you acquire by the end of the traineeship, will be formally recognized (e.g. by recording the traineeship in your transcript of records, Diploma Supplement or Europass mobility document).
• You will receive financial assistance.
• You will get guidance and support when preparing your internship abroad.
• Staff at Saarland University and at your host organization will support you during the period of your internship.
• Students of all nationalities may apply for an Erasmus+ grant.

• You are responsible for finding and organizing a suitable internship position. The Erasmus+ programme does not provide assistance in finding suitable placements.
• Erasmus+ can fund student mobilities (study and/or traineeships abroad) for a total of 12 months in each study cycle (Bachelor, Master, PhD) or up to 24 months in the case of single-tier degree programmes (Staatsexamen, Diplom). For example, a student on a Bachelor's or Master's degree programme can receive funding for a study mobility lasting five months followed by a seven-month traineeship.
• Teaching assistantships are funded by Erasmus+ as traineeships.
• Before starting an Erasmus+ traineeship, you will need to provide proof that you have personal liability, accident and health insurance cover.
• The Erasmus+ programme allows you to complete an Erasmus+ internship during the first twelve months after graduation (see the section 'Erasmus+ for graduates' below).

Your internship:

• must be in an Erasmus+ programme country.
• must not be in your country of main residence.
• must not be undertaken in an EU institution or in an executive body or agency that manages EU programmes. Possible host institutions include companies, vocational training institutions, research centres and other organizations.
• must be relevant to your degree programme, but it does not need to be a mandatory component in your degree programme.
• must last at least 60 days but not more than 12 months.

• must be a full-time internship position (at least 35 hours per week).

   

You:

• are enrolled as a degree-seeking student at Saarland University and have already completed at least one year of a Bachelor's degree programme. Master's students and doctoral students can begin their stay abroad from their first semester onward.
• If you wish to do an internship after graduating, you must register the proposed internship while still enrolled in your degree programme. However, you do not need to remain enrolled at Saarland University during the period of your internship.
• must be sufficiently proficient in the working language used in your host company or organization or in the national language of your host country.
• must have adequate insurance cover (health insurance, accident insurance and personal liability insurance, e.g. the combined DAAD insurance package).
• must read and abide by the Erasmus+ Student Charter, which outlines the rights and obligations of students 

Students who participate in a long-term Erasmus+ mobility receive financial support comprising a monthly grant to cover living expenses and, where applicable, a travel-day allowance and/or top-up grants.

Monthly funding rates (2025 Call) 

The size of the monthly grant for long-term Erasmus+ mobilities (from 60 days to 12 months) is calculated on the basis of the cost of living in the host country. Each host country has been assigned to one of three 'country groups'.

• Country group 1
  • Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden
  • Erasmus+ International (maximum duration: three months) Switzerland and United Kingdom
  • €750 per month or €25 per day
• Country group 2
  • Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain
  • €690 per month or €23 per day
• Country group 3
  • Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Turkey
  • €690 per month or €23 per day

The Erasmus+ programme will fund up to 12 months abroad per study cycle (Bachelor/Master/doctoral studies) or 24 months in single-tier degree programmes (Staatsexamen). Financial support will be paid for a maximum of

• 4 months for a stay of one semester
• 8 months for a stay of two semesters

Travel-day allowances

• Travel-day allowances depend on the means of transport used and the distance travelled (see distance table and the Erasmus+ distance calculator).
• Non-environmentally friendly ('non-green') means of transport (subject to approval): up to two travel days
• Environmentally friendly ('green') means of transport (bus, train, bicycle, car sharing): up to six travel days

Travel grant
You'll receive a travel grant calculated using the Erasmus+ Distance Calculator. The amount depends on the distance travelled and your chosen mode of transport: 
 

Social top-ups
You may be eligible for additional financial support in the form of a top-up grant of €250 per month if you

• have a non-academic background, i.e. your parents or legal guardians have not completed a university degree and they affirm this in writing
• are employed but will not be able to continue working when studying abroad and your average net monthly income is above €450 and below €850 (as shown by your pay slips of the last six months)
• have a chronic medical condition and this is confirmed by a medical certificate issued by a physician
• are disabled with a certified degree of disability of at least 20%
• will be taking your child with you during your stay abroad and you provide supporting documents to this effect.

Please refer to the information on our website regarding equal opportunities, inclusion and sustainability in the Erasmus+ programme.

All applications for top-up funding (green travel, students travelling with children, etc.) must be submitted at least four weeks before the start of the planned mobility. Applications submitted at a later date will not be considered for funding.

Erasmus+ funding in combination with BAföG student loans:

If you have applied to the BAföG student loans programme for financial support during your Erasmus+ mobility period, the amount of BAföG support you receive will be reduced. The following Erasmus+ grant components will be set off against your BAföG financial support: 

• Monthly Erasmus+ grants (country-dependent)
• Top-up payments for students from a non-academic background
• Top-up payments for students who are employed but will not be able to continue working when studying abroad 

The following Erasmus+ top-ups will not be set-off against your BAföG support: 

• Top-up payments for students with a chronic medical condition
• Top-up payments for students who are disabled with a certified degree of disability of at least 20%
• Top-up payments for students who take their child with them during the stay abroad

• Students who have graduated may still be eligible for Erasmus+ traineeship funding provided that the internship is completed during the first twelve months after graduation.
• The application for funding must be submitted in the final year of your degree programme while you are still enrolled at Saarland University.
• The requirements and funding rates are the same as those for Erasmus+ traineeships undertaken as an undergraduate.