Erasmus+ (exchange semester/year)

Your Erasmus+ grant will include a contribution to help you cover travel costs:

• The contribution for travel costs is based on travel distance and means of transport (green or non-green travel). For more information, please refer to this PDF file.

• (Applies to academic year 2026/2027) To qualify for Green Travel, either the outbound OR return journey must be made using sustainable transportation (e.g. train, bus, bike). Proof of travel (from Vienna to the host city) will be required.

• As a general rule, if your one-way travel is less than 500 kilometers, you are strongly encouraged to use environmentally friendly means of transport.Consider the Interrail Pass for Erasmus+.

• Please note: Erasmus+ travel costs cannot be combined with travel costs covered by other grants (e.g., the federal study abroad grant (German: BAS = Beihilfe für ein Auslandsstudium). Students receiving the federal study grant (German: Studienbeihilfe) are strongly encouraged to apply for BAS as this will result in a higher total amount of funding.

• You are eligible for this Top Up if you have ... 

  • children in need of care who are taken to the exchange semester,

  • a disability,

  • a chronic illness or severe health problems, and these result in increased financial expenses during your exchange (as compared to staying in Austria).

• Find more information and examples here.

• This financial support is calculated individually based on actual costs. Please find more information and examples here.

• Contact us as early as possible to prepare the application in time.

• If you are fully admitted to studies and examinations in Austria, you may apply and receive the federal study grant (German: Studienbeihilfe) for the duration of your exchange.

• Additionally, you may want to apply for the federal study grant for studies abroad (German:BAS = Beihilfe für ein Auslandsstudium).

• For more information, please contact the respective federal authority.

• The forms SB-AS1 and SB-AS2 are confirmed by Study Regulations & Credit Transfer (German: Studienrecht & Anerkennung).

Step 1: Attendance of the mandatory Grant and Credit Transfer Session

• If you have been allocated an exchange semester spot, you will be invited via email to the mandatory Grant and Credit Transfer Session (German: Stipendien- und Anerkennungsveranstaltung). In this session, you will be given all necessary information regarding the formalities of your exchange semester.

• Attendance in the semester before your exchange is compulsory.

Step 2: Application for the Erasmus+ grant

• The grant application is done via the Online Services for Students. In the mandatory Grant and Credit Transfer session, all necessary information (incl. deadlines) required to apply for the Erasmus+ grant will be provided.

Step 3: Signing the Grant Agreement

• A few weeks after the online application deadline, you will have access to the Grant Agreement in the Online Services for Students. Please sign and return the Grant Agreement via email as indicated.

Step 4: Pre-recognition notice and Online Learning Agreement (OLA)

• Note: This step does not apply to Double Degree and EPOG+ students.

• As soon as the course list is available at your host university and at least 1 month before the start of your exchange, you must apply for the pre-recognition notice (German: Feststellungsbescheid) via this online application.

• For more information on the application process, see the corresponding website: bachelor's students / master student's

• Once your courses have been approved by WU Vienna, the pre-recognition notice and the Online Learning Agreement (OLA) will be ready to download from the Online Services for Students (OSS).

What happens next?

• After issuing your OLA, WU Vienna automatically sends it to your host university for approval.

• Your host university should review and approve it. Once this is done, you will receive a notification to your WU email address. There is nothing else you should do at this stage.

• If your host university rejects your OLA because changes are necessary, you must log into OSS and implement the necessary changes as described by the host university. After the changes have been implemented, your OLA will again be sent to your host university for approval.Once the host university approves it, there is nothing else you should do. 

• Important: Some of our partner universities are currently experiencing technical difficulties in receiving or approving OLAs. In this case, you must download the PDF version of your Learning Agreement from OSS and have it approved on site by the host university. Keep the digital copy of the Learning Agreement (PDF) as you will need at the end of the semester to receive your Erasmus+ grant.

• Accident and liability insurance are compulsory for all students receiving an Erasmus+ grant. The Students’ Union (ÖH) insurance includes accident and liability insurance for the period of your internship in a EU country. You can find more information here.

Exchange in a EU country?

• Additionally, if you are a citizen of an EU member state, the health insurance coverage provided by your home country is generally sufficient. Don’t forget to take your European Health Insurance Card (e-card) with you when travelling abroad!

• If you are not an EU citizen, you may have to arrange for the necessary insurance coverage in advance.

Exchange in a non-EU country?

• Additional travel and/or health insurance is recommended. For insurance policies issued in Austria, you may want to take an English translation with you to demonstrate what is covered by your policy.

• The Erasmus+ grant will be paid out in two installments: 80% at the beginning, 20% after the end of your exchange.

• You will receive the first grant installment shortly before the start of your exchange and only if you have received your pre-recognition notice (German: Feststellungsbescheid) and Online Learning Agreement (OLA).

• Payment is only made to your personal bank account.

• The Confirmation of Stay must be signed by the host university during the last week of your stay. This is necessary for the application of the second installment.

Step 1: EUSurvey

• You will automatically receive the survey link by email in the month of your departure (as indicated in your Grant Agreement). Please complete it as soon as you receive it.

Step 2: WU Exchange Report

• Submit the WU Exchange Report here (or in OSS, under MOBILITY > Outgoing - My exchange program > Submit exchange reports). Your experiences are useful for other outgoing students!

Step 3: Transcript of Records and credit transfer

• Note: This step does not apply to Double Degree and EPOG+ students. 

• Credit transfer: Credits earned at a partner university are not automatically transferred to your WU degree. You must actively apply for credit transfer as follows:

  Once you have received the official Transcript of Records from your host university, log in to Online Services for Students (OSS) > CREDIT TRANSFER & GRADUATION  (German: Anerkennung & Abschluss) > Online Credit Transfer (German: Antrag auf Anerkennung). Upload the necessary documents as requested.
   

• If your exchange took place in the winter term, you must obtain recognition by May 31st at the very latest.

• If your exchange took place in the summer semester, you must obtain recognition by October 31st at the very latest.

• Please request payment of the remaining installment (20%) here.

• Required documents for payment:

  • Confirmation of Stay — signed and stamped by the host university,

  • Online Learning Agreement (OLA) — approved by the host university,

  • EUSurvey — filled out,

  • WU Exchange Report — submitted via OSS,

  • Recognition notice (German: Anerkennungsbescheid),

  • Proof of Green Travel, Top-Up Individual Support, or Inclusion Support (if applicable).

Failure to submit the required documentation may result in reduced payment or repayment of previously received funds.