A scholarship for a semester abroad usually comes from Erasmus+, from PROMOS of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) or from your university’s own funds. In addition, BAföG can fund time abroad under its own rules. This guide explains how the programmes fit together, shows example rates and lists what to check before you apply.
Short answer: For a semester abroad, you can apply for Erasmus+ funding, the DAAD programme PROMOS, university funds and study-abroad BAföG. Each university sets its own Erasmus rates within the EU framework. One example from the University of Marburg for 2026/27: 600 euros per month in group 1, and 540 euros in groups 2 and 3 (as of 2026/27).
The Most Important Points in Brief
- The university awards Erasmus+ funding, and each university sets its own rates.
- Example from Marburg for 2026/27: 600 euros per month in group 1, and 540 euros in groups 2 and 3.
- The funding period is limited by each university; in Marburg it is 110 or 120 days.
- The DAAD announces PROMOS calls, and universities distribute the funds.
- Study-abroad BAföG is a separate entitlement that depends on income, duration and place of study.
- Check your insurance cover abroad separately, because it does not depend on the scholarship.
Which Programmes Are There?
| Programme | Provider | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Erasmus+ studies | EU programme, run through your university | Rates and funding period set by each university |
| PROMOS | DAAD; universities administer the funding | Calls and application deadlines change every year |
| Study-abroad BAföG | Part of BAföG | Income, duration and place of study |
| University scholarships | University or faculty | Call run by the International Office |
PROMOS is advertised by the DAAD, and universities pass the funds on to students, so the route almost always runs through your university’s International Office. The DAAD home page gives you an overview of the basics, but the university sets the conditions. You can find more on the DAAD home page (German).
How High Are the Erasmus Rates?
The rates are not uniform across Germany. They depend on the university and on the country-group system. The example of Marburg (as of 2026/27) shows what this can look like:
| Country group | Example countries | Monthly rate (Marburg example 2026/27) |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | e.g. France, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Sweden | 600 euros |
| Group 2 | e.g. Spain, Portugal, Greece, Czechia | 540 euros |
| Group 3 | e.g. Poland, Hungary, Romania, Türkiye | 540 euros |
| Top-up for fewer opportunities | Only if the criteria are met | 250 euros |
These values are an example for the University of Marburg only. Your university can set different rates, so check with its International Office. The same source limits the funding period to 110 or 120 days.
Assumption: you spend 110 days in a group 1 country, and the Marburg rate of 600 euros per month applies to you. With 30-day months, that comes to about 2,200 euros (600 times 110 divided by 30). Your university determines the actual calculation.
How Do You Apply for PROMOS and Erasmus?
- Ask the International Office which programmes are open for your destination and your subject.
- Check the calls and deadlines, which change every year and by university, and note them.
- Plan your application together with the recognition of your study credits abroad.
- Ask how payments, proof and reports work in the programme.
What Happens to BAföG Abroad?
BAföG can also fund a degree abroad, and the rules are set out in the law. Your entitlement depends on the duration, the institution and your income. The conditions and supplements are explained in our guide on study-abroad BAföG (in German). You can also read the legal basis on gesetze-im-internet.de (German).
What Does a Semester Abroad Cost?
A scholarship rarely covers everything. The following calculation shows how to plan the costs roughly. All values are assumptions that you should replace with your own spending.
| Item | Assumed amount per month | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rent abroad | 450 euros | depends strongly on the city |
| Living costs | 350 euros | food, transport, leisure |
| Travel costs | 300 euros one-off | return journey |
Assumption: over five months, rent and living costs come to 4,000 euros, and travel adds 300 euros, so 4,300 euros in total. Set this against the Erasmus rate of your university and against study-abroad BAföG to see the gap.
How Are Your Study Credits Recognised?
Your examination office decides whether courses abroad count towards your degree at home. Agree a learning agreement in advance if your university uses one, and record any changes in writing. Without recognition, your studies take longer and so does your funding gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to repay Erasmus money?
Erasmus funding is a grant from your university for the mobility period. The university sets which proof is needed, for example for the recognition of credits or your stay. Check the conditions before you treat the money as fixed in your budget.
Can I combine PROMOS and Erasmus?
That depends on the rules of both programmes and of your university. Ask both offices before you accept an offer. Double funding for the same period is often excluded, so clarify this in advance.
Do I need language skills?
Usually yes, and requirements differ by host university and subject. Check the language proof early, because tests and courses take time. The host university’s call states the details.
What applies to health insurance abroad?
Insurance cover abroad is a separate question and does not depend on the scholarship. Our guide on private health insurance abroad during your studies explains the basics. Your insurer gives the binding answer.
How many months does Erasmus pay for?
Each university sets this. In the Marburg example, the funding period was limited to 110 or 120 days. Ask which rate and which duration apply to your university.
What to Do Next
- Speak to the International Office as soon as you have a destination in mind.
- Calculate with your university’s rates and with study-abroad BAföG before you accept an offer.
- Submit your Erasmus or PROMOS application on time and in full.
- Clarify insurance cover and the recognition of your credits before you leave.
Related Guides
- Erasmus funding rates 2026/27: deadlines explained
- Studying at 45: BAföG, insurance and loans
- Health insurance for students in the EU: EHIC and more
- Stipendium im Studium finden: Arten, Anbieter und Voraussetzungen (in German)
- Erasmus+ 2026: Grants by Destination Country (in German)
How Do You Bridge the Time Before the First Payment?
Plan your finances so that you can bridge the first weeks. Many programmes do not pay in advance, but after the stay has started or after proof has been submitted. Keep a buffer for the period before the first payment.
Assumption: the first grant arrives after two months. You then need at least 1,600 euros for that period, that is 800 euros per month from the cost assumption above.
Sources: University of Marburg, Erasmus mobility funding 2026/27 (German); DAAD home page (German); Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG), gesetze-im-internet.de (German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
