The United Kingdom will rejoin Erasmus+ from 1 January 2027, restoring full access to the European Union’s education, training, youth and sport programme after its decision to stay outside the current funding cycle following Brexit. The return will reopen opportunities for exchanges and institutional partnerships, including with Nordic countries.
The UK and EU formalised the agreement on 15 April 2026, following a commitment at their May 2025 summit. The legal arrangements provide for participation from January 2027, although individual exchanges funded through the new round will start later.
Erasmus+ covers more than university exchanges
The programme is often associated with university students spending a semester abroad, but its scope is wider. According to UK government guidance, opportunities include school exchanges, apprenticeships and vocational placements, adult learning, teacher training, youth projects and activities for grassroots sports staff.
Association will allow UK organisations to compete for funding on the same terms as organisations in EU member states and other associated countries. British institutions will also be able to host participants from elsewhere in the programme. The UK government expects more than 100,000 people to benefit in the first year, a forecast covering several types of activity.
Individual exchanges will start later in 2027
The association date is separate from the timetable for funded placements. The European Commission says individual opportunities under projects selected in 2027 will become available in the second half of that year at the earliest, once the projects begin operating.
UK guidance expects the next funding round to open in November 2026. Organisations apply for project funding, while individuals generally access opportunities through their school, university, training provider or youth or sports organisation.
The Commission also makes clear that the UK was not entirely absent from Erasmus+ between 2021 and 2026. Some activities open to countries worldwide, including Erasmus Mundus and Jean Monnet projects, remained accessible. The change in 2027 is the restoration of full associated-country participation.
Norway and Iceland are already part of the network
The programme extends beyond EU membership. Norway and Iceland are among the associated countries listed in UK guidance, making them eligible destinations alongside EU countries such as Denmark, Finland and Sweden.
Norway has participated in Erasmus and its predecessors since 1992. A Norwegian government-commissioned evaluation published in August concluded that participation offered greater benefits than a comparable national scheme, particularly through European partnerships and networks. NordiskPost previously examined those findings.
The agreement covers the 2027 funding year
The return does not settle participation indefinitely. The legal arrangements cover the final year of the EU’s current 2021–2027 programme. Participation in a successor programme from 2028 will require a further agreement.
Participants travelling to the UK will also need to follow the applicable entry rules. Home Office guidance published in October explains that the permission required depends on the activity, duration and individual circumstances. Erasmus+ association restores access to the programme; immigration requirements remain a separate part of arranging a placement.
