Everything Teachers Need to Know About Erasmus+

Erasmus+ can make international professional development possible for teachers, trainers, school leaders and other education staff. It can support learning abroad, the exchange of good practice and the development of new skills that benefit both participants and their organisations.

However, the programme can seem complicated at first. Terms such as KA1, accreditation, mobility projects, individual support and Europass Mobility are often used without a simple explanation. This guide brings the main information together and focuses on the questions education professionals usually ask before joining a structured course abroad.

What Is Erasmus+?

Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport. It supports many kinds of international learning, including study periods, job shadowing, teaching assignments, learner mobility and professional development for education staff.

For teachers and educators, Erasmus+ is not simply a way to travel. A mobility activity should respond to real professional and organisational needs. The learning should return home with the participant and support improvement in a classroom, school, training centre or other education organisation.

What Does Erasmus+ KA1 Mean?

KA1 is the commonly used abbreviation for Key Action 1: Learning Mobility of Individuals. This is the part of Erasmus+ that includes staff mobility for learning and professional development.

In school education, adult education and vocational education and training, organisations can normally access mobility funding through an accredited project or a short-term mobility project. They may also participate through an accredited mobility consortium. The suitable route depends on the organisation, its education sector and its longer-term plans.

You can find a more detailed explanation on our Erasmus+ KA1 funding guide.

Who Can Take Part in an Erasmus+ Training Course?

Erasmus+ staff mobility is relevant to more than classroom teachers. Depending on the education sector and the approved project, participants may include:

• pre-primary, primary and secondary school teachers
• vocational education teachers and trainers
• adult educators and learning facilitators
• school leaders, coordinators and administrative staff
• career counsellors, inclusion staff and support professionals
• staff working in libraries, museums, NGOs or community learning
• other professionals who regularly support the organisation's educational work

Eligibility is connected to the sending organisation and the relevant Erasmus+ education sector. Your organisation's Erasmus+ coordinator or National Agency can confirm whether your role and planned activity fit the approved project.

Can a Teacher Apply for Erasmus+ Funding Individually?

Usually, no. For this type of staff mobility, an individual participant does not normally submit a personal grant application directly to the European Union. The school, institution or other eligible sending organisation applies for and manages the funding. It then selects staff members whose mobility supports the project's objectives.

This means you should first speak with your head teacher, management team, Erasmus+ coordinator or international office. Ask whether your organisation has an Erasmus accreditation, an approved short-term project or access to a mobility consortium.

What Can Erasmus+ Funding Cover?

The grant is managed by the beneficiary organisation. Depending on the project and applicable rules, support may include:

• course fees for eligible structured training
• travel support based on the applicable distance band
• individual support towards accommodation, meals and local costs
• organisational support for preparing and managing the mobility
• inclusion support for participants who face additional barriers
• certain exceptional costs where the programme rules allow them

For courses and training in school education, adult education and VET, the 2026 Programme Guide lists course-fee support of €80 per participant per day. This is a unit contribution within the organisation's grant, not an automatic promise that every actual mobility expense will be reimbursed in full.

Travel and accommodation are separate from the fee paid to a course provider. Always agree the budget and payment arrangements with your sending organisation before making a binding registration.

How Long Can a Professional Development Course Last?

Under the 2026 Programme Guide, the physical component of the courses and training activity in school education, adult education and VET lasts from 2 to 10 days, excluding travel days. A one-week programme is therefore a common format for an Erasmus+ professional development course.

The length alone does not make a course suitable. The programme should have clear learning outcomes, qualified trainers, interactive learning, a meaningful European dimension and enough structured learning time to achieve its objectives.

How Does the Erasmus+ Course Process Work?

1. Identify a need. Decide what should improve in your professional practice or organisation.
2. Check the funding route. Confirm the relevant project, education sector, budget and internal selection process with your sending organisation.
3. Choose a relevant course. Compare the target group, learning outcomes, methods, daily programme, dates, location, language and fee.
4. Prepare the mobility. Complete the documents required by your organisation and arrange travel, accommodation, insurance and any necessary accessibility support.
5. Participate actively. Attend the programme, exchange practice with the international group and keep evidence required for your project.
6. Use and share the learning. Reflect on the outcomes, introduce relevant ideas in your work and share them with colleagues.

How to Choose a Trustworthy Erasmus+ Course

A useful course page should provide enough information for both the participant and the sending organisation to make an informed decision. Before registering, check whether it clearly presents:

• the target group and any required background
• the course language, dates, duration and location
• specific learning outcomes
• a detailed daily programme
• the teaching methods and expected level of participation
• the course fee, included services and additional costs
• the provider's contact details and written conditions
• the certificate and follow-up support provided

The European Commission's quality standards also emphasise interactive, relevant learning; transparent information; qualified trainers; international exchange; participant feedback; and support before, during and after a course. Course providers operate independently, so your organisation remains responsible for checking that a selected programme fits its Erasmus+ project.

You can compare our programmes in the Understanding Academy course catalogue and view dates that are already confirmed or being planned on our upcoming course sessions page.

What Documents May Be Needed?

The exact documents depend on the education sector, sending organisation, National Agency and project agreement. Common course-mobility documents may include:

• a detailed course programme and stated learning outcomes
• a registration or participation confirmation
• a learning agreement, Europass Mobility document or equivalent record
• a participant grant agreement where required
• an invoice and proof of payment
• travel and accommodation records required by the sending organisation
• a certificate confirming participation and learning outcomes

For courses and training, the official programme rules may allow the course programme to be used in place of a separate learning agreement in some sectors. Your sending organisation should decide which format it needs. Europass Mobility can help record the skills and learning outcomes gained abroad, but it is prepared together with the relevant organisations rather than by the participant alone.

Do I Need Perfect English?

No. For most Understanding Academy courses delivered in English, we recommend approximately B1 level. Participants should be able to follow the main ideas, ask questions, share professional experiences and take part in group activities. Perfect grammar is not expected.

International groups naturally include different accents and levels of confidence. Clear communication, patience and willingness to participate matter more than sounding like a native speaker. Read our full guide to the English level needed for a professional development course.

What Does Understanding Academy Provide?

Before registration, our course pages provide the target group, language, learning outcomes, full daily programme, dates or scheduling options, location and practical requirements. We also communicate directly with participants and sending organisations when they need information for mobility planning.

During the course, participants receive structured learning activities, course materials and opportunities for international exchange. After successful participation, we provide a Certificate of Attendance with the relevant course information and learning outcomes. You can see the full list of services on our what is included page.

The sending organisation remains responsible for its grant application, participant selection, travel arrangements, funding decisions and final reporting. We support the course-related part of the process and provide the information needed to plan participation clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does course registration guarantee Erasmus+ funding?

No. Course registration and grant approval are separate matters. Confirm your funding and internal authorisation with the sending organisation before making a binding registration.

Must an Erasmus+ course appear in an official EU catalogue?

Course providers are independent service providers. The sending organisation must evaluate whether the course is relevant, transparent and compatible with its approved project and the current programme rules.

Is cultural learning part of an Erasmus+ course?

It can complement the formal programme and strengthen intercultural learning, European exchange and understanding of the host location. Cultural activities should support the learning experience rather than replace the structured course programme.

What should I do after the course?

Complete the documentation required by your organisation, reflect on the learning outcomes and decide how you will apply and share the new knowledge. A mobility has greater value when it leads to practical change after the participant returns home.

Official Information and Further Guidance

Use official European and national guidance when planning a funded mobility. The following resources are useful starting points:

• 2026 Erasmus+ Programme Guide
• Key Action 1: Learning Mobility of Individuals
• Mobility for pupils and staff in school education
• Quality standards for courses under Key Action 1
• Erasmus+ National Agencies
• Europass Mobility