International Relations and European University

Equal opportunity is a central concern of the Erasmus+ program. Since the Erasmus program began in Austria, the national agency, on behalf of the European Commission, has been promoting the mobility of participants who, due to differing circumstances, are at a disadvantage when it comes to participating in an Erasmus+ program. In the future, even more people with diverse needs are expected to participate in the program. This involves both financial and other forms of support.

The non-financial inclusion support refers to the additional services and assistance provided to ensure equal access and participation in mobility programs. This includes individual counseling and organizational support, accessibility solutions tailored to participants' needs, and measures to reduce invisible barriers, such as guidance throughout the application process and assistance with administrative procedures.

Financial inclusion support aims to offset the specific difficulties faced by the participants with fewer opportunities, such as adapted accommodation, travel assistance, medical attendance, supportive equipment, adaption of learning material, an accompanying person for students and staff with disabilities. 

Inclusion support is provided on the basis of actual costs incurred during the mobility activity. Participants are required to submit official invoices, receipts, and proof of payment to the university after the mobility period. An exception applies to accompanying persons, for whom support is provided as a flat-rate contribution in accordance with the Erasmus+ Program Guidelines.

The following costs are generally not eligible for inclusion support: 

• regular living expenses in the sending country; 

• standard travel and subsistence costs of Erasmus+ participants; 

• costs covered by health insurance or other insurance providers; 

• costs reimbursed by other funding sources; booking, service, or credit card fees; 

• mileage allowances; 

• and expenses incurred before receiving the official written confirmation of selection for the Erasmus+ mobility.

Inclusion support is available to participants with fewer opportunities to take part in an international mobility experience, particularly those with physical, psychological, or health-related impairments. It can be granted for all Erasmus+ mobility activities, including student and staff mobility, as well as all mobility formats such as long-term and short-term mobility and Blended Intensive Programs (BIPs).

Inclusion support and the Top-Up can be obtained at the same time.

As part of a student mobility, the following participants have the opportunity to receive an additional support (top-up) of € 250 per month:

• Students and recent graduates with a disability*

• Students and recent graduates with a chronic illness (physical or mental), if this results in increased financial expenditure during the stay abroad (compared to the stay in the sending country).

• Students and recent graduates with children who are taking their child or children with them on the Erasmus+ program.

*"Disabilities: This includes physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder someone's full and effective participation in society on the same footing as others."

The following documents can be used as evidence for the top-up:

• in the case of disability: disability pass or other proof

• in the case of chronic illness: medical certificate and proof of the additional costs incurred compared to the stay in the sending country, e.g. declaration on honour by the student or other documents proving the additional costs.

• For students who are taking their child or children with them: Birth certificate, proof of custody if applicable, proof of the child/children's stay in the host country

PLEASE NOTE: The top-up cannot be cumulated. This means that students who fall into several of the above-mentioned categories (e.g. a student with a disability who takes their child with them on their stay) will only receive a top-up of € 250 per month.