Erasmus students are not required to apply for a Leave of Absence (Urlaubssemester), although many students still choose to do so. You can apply for a Leave of Absence at the student administration.

The European Union recommends obtaining around 30 credits per semester. You are required to complete at least 15 credits per semester at the host university, including examinations.

The Erasmus mobility grant does not cover health insurance. Neither the FU Berlin, European Commission nor the DAAD is liable for any damages resulting from illness, death, accident, injuries, loss or damage of property in connection with an Erasmus+ exchange.

By accepting the grant, students are required to provide for health insurance coverage for the entire duration of their stay abroad.

Health Insurance

You must prove that you have an active health insurance that is recognized in the host country in order to enroll at your host university. In some cases, this will exempt you from compulsory health insurance in the host country. If required, you may need to organize additional health insurance services (ex.: the costs of medical treatment in non-EEA countries, such as Croatia and Turkey).

The DAAD gives students an option to get a “group insurance”, which includes both a foreign health insurance as well as an accident and personal liability insurance. Detailed information can be found here.

Please consult your insurance company for more information and possible insurances that fit your needs.

If you are a registered Erasmus student, you will receive information about accommodation exchange options for FU students and students from abroad in June (for the winter semester) and October (for the summer semester). The portal includes helpful links from former Erasmus students.

If you want to or have to search for an accommodation on your own, you should arrive at the host country at least one week before the start of your studies. It is best to consult with the host university for more information and advice.

The Learning Agreement must be signed by the following individuals:

-          You

-          The Erasmus department coordinator at the FU

-          The coordinators at the host university

Please have all signatures present and complete Table A and B of the Learning Agreement. Students are responsible to gather all signatures. The Learning Agreement should be copied/scanned and sent to the central FU Erasmus team; if possible, prior to the start of your studies abroad.

The Erasmus office at the FU will issue the document which indicates the length of your stay and the amount of grant you will receive.

Yes, an exchange is possible if you have children. Please inform yourself prior to applying about which universities offer care options for students with children and about the school system in the respective host country. Here you can find a helpful page for the preparation.

There are special funding opportunities for students with children. For more information, see the FAQ section “Financial” or come to the FU Erasmus office during office hours.

In many EU countries, the semester durations overlap and differ from the German ones. In some British universities, the academic year is not divided into terms but into trimesters. Please contact the Erasmus coordinator at your host university for more information and inquire what semester a study abroad is recommended.

We recommend to have at least basic knowledge of the language in the host country before starting your studies. You can start learning the language in Berlin- these are possible options:

· Language Center of the FU: http://www.sprachenzentrum.fu-berlin.de/

· Language tandem of the International Club of the FU: http://www.internationalerclub.de/

· Adult Education centers: http://www.berlin.de/vhs/kurse/sprachen/

· Language and Culture Exchange of the TU: http://www.skb.tu-berlin.de/

Many host universities also offer language courses before the semester starts. Please contact the Erasmus coordinator at the host university for more information.

Before your studies abroad begin, you are required to turn in an Erasmus data sheet, as well as a current enrollment certificate. In addition, the Learning Agreement should be completed and signed prior to moving abroad. An overview of documents to be submitted can be found here.

If you are planning to undertake a stay outside of Germany related to your studies and wish to leave the country for over six months, you are obliged to immediately get in contact with the Berlin Immigration Office (Landesamt für Einwanderung – LEA) before commencing your stay abroad.

You will need to request written confirmation from us regarding your planned stay abroad and submit this statement to the LEA with your approval request.

Please attend to this matter without delay, as otherwise you may lose your visa and/or residency status when you return to Germany after your stay abroad.