Clear answers based on the official Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026 — for schools, students and host companies. Can't find your question? Ask us directly.
Key Action 1 (KA1) of the Erasmus+ programme funds learning mobility for students and staff in vocational education and training (VET). For students this usually means a professional internship abroad with a strong work-based component — for example in a Lisbon company — organised by a sending school together with a host partner like DNA Europe.
Learners and apprentices enrolled in an eligible initial (iVET) or continuing (cVET) vocational programme. Recent graduates can also participate up to 12 months after graduation (extended if they completed civil or military service in the meantime).
The official durations for the physical mobility are:
Short-term learning mobility: 10–89 days · ErasmusPro (long-term): 90–365 days · Group mobility: 2–30 days · VET skills competitions: 1–10 days.
For participants with fewer opportunities, individual mobility can start from 2 days if justified. All formats can be blended with virtual learning activities.
ErasmusPro is the long-term format of VET learner mobility: a placement abroad lasting 90 to 365 days. It offers deeper professional immersion and is specifically encouraged by the programme to increase the quality and impact of mobility.
Four main budget categories: a distance-based travel contribution; individual support (daily allowance for accommodation, meals and local transport); organisational support for the sending school; and inclusion support for participants with fewer opportunities. Exact rates are published by each National Agency.
The mobility is funded through the sending school's Erasmus+ grant, which covers travel, accommodation and subsistence. Confirm the details with your school's Erasmus+ coordinator, as grant management varies by school and country.
Erasmus+ provides dedicated inclusion support funding and allows shorter minimum durations (from 2 days) where justified. We work with sending schools to adapt placements and accommodation accordingly.
Everything on the ground in Lisbon, organised by one local partner: internship placements in verified companies matched to each field of study, accommodation in vetted student housing, airport transfers and local transport, a cultural programme, monitoring with 24/7 support, and complete documentation ready for Erasmus+ reporting. Your school manages the Erasmus+ grant and the travel to Portugal — we handle the rest.
Through your National Agency, in one of two ways:
Short-term project — mobilities of 1 to 4 weeks, up to 30 participants, ideal for first-time applicants. Main deadline: 19 February, 12:00 Brussels time (some agencies open a second round closing 1 October).
Erasmus accreditation — recurring annual funding for organisations that run mobility regularly. No previous experience required to apply.
See our How to Apply page for the full walkthrough.
A short-term project can include a maximum of 30 participants in mobility activities (preparatory visits and accompanying persons don't count towards the limit). Accredited organisations have no fixed participant limit.
Within any five consecutive call years, an organisation may receive a maximum of three short-term project grants in VET. Organisations planning regular mobility should apply for an Erasmus accreditation instead.
Before the activity: a learning agreement between school, host and student defining expected learning outcomes. After: recognition via Europass Mobility. DNA Europe prepares the host-side documentation — agreements, attendance, evaluation and certificates — to Erasmus quality standards.
Nine sectors in verified Lisbon companies: IT & technology, tourism, gastronomy, hospitality & hotels, administration & business, logistics, education & childcare, and engineering/maker technology, among others. See the Students page for the full grid.
In vetted student accommodation in safe Lisbon neighbourhoods — furnished shared apartments with equipped kitchens and good transport connections. Our local team is available 24/7.
Yes — Erasmus+ funds the free Online Language Support (OLS) platform for all participants. And English is widely spoken in Lisbon workplaces, so students integrate quickly while learning Portuguese basics.
Yes. Host companies pay no fees and no salary — trainees are funded by Erasmus+. The company provides real tasks and a workplace tutor; we pre-select candidates and handle the paperwork. Details on the Host Companies page.
Sources: Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026 (European Commission). Rules and rates are set by National Agencies and may vary — always confirm with your National Agency for binding figures.
Our coordination team answers within 24 hours — in English, Portuguese or Italian.