UK and Switzerland joining Erasmus+

Internationalisation

The United Kingdom and Switzerland will associate to the Erasmus+ Programme on 1 January 2027. Their association opens up wider opportunities for student and staff mobility, as well as for cooperation with these countries.

United Kingdom flag on the left, Swiss flag on the right.

The UK will participate in all actions of the Erasmus+ Programme from 2027 onwards. According to current information, Switzerland will also participate in all actions of the Programme from the start of 2027. This opens up wider opportunities for Finnish organisations to take part in Erasmus+ mobility and cooperation projects with partner organisations in these countries.

The two countries are joining the Programme as associated third countries. They will be subject to the same rules as EU Member States and other third countries associated to the Programme, such as Norway and Iceland.

Practical implementation to begin with the 2027 call for proposals

The association of the UK and Switzerland to Erasmus+ will take effect in the 2027 call for proposals. This means that the two countries can take part in all Erasmus+ actions that will be funded through the 2027 call. Organisations will be able to apply for funding once the call opens in late 2026. The first mobilities and projects may begin in the 2027–2028 school year.

The UK and Switzerland may only participate in Erasmus+ projects funded prior to 2027 as associated partners, which means that they are not eligible for funding from the project. For example, projects funded in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 calls for proposals will continue to be subject to the rules of the respective calls.

Detailed instructions for the implementation of projects can be found in the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (to be published in late 2026).

Start preparing now

We recommend contacting partner organisations in the UK and Switzerland well in advance so that you can take the necessary steps and ensure a smooth start in 2027.

Organisations considering applying for Erasmus+ funding in the 2027 or subsequent calls can already start exploring opportunities for cooperation with the UK and Switzerland, contacting potential partners and developing project ideas.

UK visa procedures and Erasmus+

The association to Erasmus+ will not change the UK’s rules on entry, residence, work or study.

Depending on the purpose and duration of the trip, as well as the traveller’s nationality, trips to the UK may continue to require prior authorisation or a visa, for example. A visa will still be required for work and longer-term study programmes.

Applicants and participants should always check the current regulations with the UK authorities before travelling.

Guidelines for higher education

Only higher education institutions from the UK and Switzerland that have been awarded an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) may take part in mobility and cooperation projects. The ECHE recipients of these countries are expected to be announced by the end of October 2026.
New ECHE holders and higher education institutions in Switzerland and the UK do not need to join the current EWP system. They are due to introduce the new ESCI+ system at the end of 2027.
For the time being, Swiss and UK higher education institutions that are new ECHE holders are expected to conclude inter-institutional agreements and learning agreements with their partners in PDF format.
With regard to outgoing mobility, higher education institutions may use their existing learning agreements for studies (KA131), but the numbers relating to incoming student and staff mobility must be added to these. As a transitional arrangement in 2027, this may be implemented by means of an exchange of agreements, which must specify mobility from Switzerland and the UK to EU Member States or third countries associated to the Programme, via email.