Erasmus+ Funding Guide 2026: Complete EU Teacher Training Grant Handbook
Last Updated: January 22, 2026
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💰 Erasmus+ KA1 Funding Overview
Erasmus+ Key Action 1 (KA1) provides 100% funding coverage for teacher professional development activities. Unlike other EU programs, teachers pay nothing out of pocket - the EU grant covers all eligible costs through the employing institution.
Key Benefits:
•
100% Cost Coverage - No out-of-pocket expenses for teachers•
Comprehensive Coverage - Course fees, travel, accommodation, meals•
Institutional Funding - Grants awarded to schools, not individuals•
Quality Assurance - Only accredited courses and providers eligible
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📊 Erasmus+ KA1 Funding Components
1. Course Fees (Organisational Support)
•
Amount: €450 - €850 per course (typically 5 days)•
Coverage: 100% of accredited course fees•
Eligibility: Must be Erasmus+ accredited provider (OID required)•
Payment: Direct to training provider
Example: A 5-day course at €550 receives full €550 coverage.
2. Travel Costs (Distance-Based)
•
Method: Distance bands from sending country capital to training location•
Calculation: Haversine formula for accurate km measurement•
Transport: Most economical approved means (plane, train, bus, car)•
Coverage: 100% of approved travel costs
3. Daily Subsistence Allowance
•
Purpose: Accommodation and meal costs during training•
Duration: Course days + up to 6 additional travel days•
Country-Based: Varies by training destination country•
Coverage: €90 - €140 per day depending on country
4. Organisational Support Grant
•
Amount: €350 per participant•
Purpose: Administrative and organizational costs•
Payment: To sending institution for overhead costs•
Eligibility: Automatic for approved applications
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🗺️ Distance Bands and Travel Costs 2026
Erasmus+ calculates travel funding using distance bands from your country's capital to the training location. The system uses the Haversine formula for precise distance calculations.
| Distance Band | Kilometers | Travel Grant |
|---|
| Band 1 | 0 - 99 km | €23 |
| Band 2 | 100 - 499 km | €180 |
| Band 3 | 500 - 1,999 km | €275 |
| Band 4 | 2,000 - 2,999 km | €360 |
| Band 5 | 3,000 - 3,999 km | €530 |
| Band 6 | 4,000 - 7,999 km | €820 |
| Band 7 | 8,000+ km | €1,500 |
Important Notes:
•
Distance calculated from sending country capital to training city•
Return journey costs covered•
Most economical approved transport method•
Additional travel days may be eligible (up to 6 total)
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💵 Daily Subsistence Allowances by Country
Note: Daily allowance rates vary by country and are subject to change. Use our funding calculator to get accurate rates for your specific destination and course dates.
For the most up-to-date information, visit your National Agency website or use our complete funding guide.
Group 1: €140/day (High-cost countries)
•
Denmark•
Finland•
Iceland•
Ireland•
Luxembourg•
Sweden•
Switzerland•
Norway•
Liechtenstein
Group 2: €120/day (Medium-high cost countries)
•
Austria•
Belgium•
Germany•
Netherlands
Group 3: €100/day (Medium cost countries)
•
Bulgaria•
Estonia•
Greece•
Spain•
France•
Italy•
Cyprus•
Latvia•
Malta•
Portugal•
Slovenia•
Czech Republic•
Romania•
Slovakia
Group 4: €90/day (Lower cost countries)
•
Hungary•
Poland•
Serbia•
North Macedonia•
Turkey
🧮 Funding Calculation Examples
Note: The following examples show typical calculations. Actual funding amounts vary based on current rates and specific circumstances. Use our funding calculator for precise calculations for your situation.
Example 1: Teacher from Germany to Cyprus Course
Details:
•
Sending Country: Germany (Berlin)•
Training Location: Larnaca, Cyprus•
Course Duration: 5 days•
Course Fee: €550
Calculations:
•
Distance: Berlin to Larnaca = 2,850 km → Band 4: €360 travel•
Daily Rate: Cyprus → Check current rate•
Course Fee: €550 (covered)•
Organisational Support: €350•
Total Funding: Use our calculator for exact amount
Example 2: Teacher from Poland to Lithuania Course
Details:
•
Sending Country: Poland (Warsaw)•
Training Location: Vilnius, Lithuania•
Course Duration: 5 days•
Course Fee: €480
Calculations:
•
Distance: Warsaw to Vilnius = 450 km → Band 2: €180 travel•
Daily Rate: Lithuania → Check current rate•
Course Fee: €480 (covered)•
Organisational Support: €350•
Total Funding: Use our calculator for exact amount
Example 3: Teacher from Spain to Finland Course
Details:
•
Sending Country: Spain (Madrid)•
Training Location: Helsinki, Finland•
Course Duration: 7 days•
Course Fee: €720
Calculations:
•
Distance: Madrid to Helsinki = 3,250 km → Band 5: €530 travel•
Daily Rate: Finland → Check current rate•
Course Fee: €720 (covered)•
Organisational Support: €350•
Total Funding: Use our calculator for exact amount
📅 Travel Day Allowances
Erasmus+ allows additional funding for travel days beyond the course duration:
•
Maximum Travel Days: 6 additional days (total 12 days maximum)•
Eligibility: Must be necessary for travel to/from training location•
Daily Rate: Same as course location daily allowance•
Purpose: Travel time when course location differs significantly from arrival city
Example: A teacher from Portugal traveling to Cyprus for a 5-day course may be eligible for 2 travel days (1 before, 1 after) at €100/day each, adding €200 to the total funding.
✈️ Approved Travel Methods
Erasmus+ funds the most economical approved means of transport:
Air Travel
•
Eligible: Economy class only•
Documentation: Boarding passes, tickets, receipts•
Maximum: Distance band amount (not actual ticket cost)
Train Travel
•
Eligible: Second class/standard fares•
Documentation: Tickets, reservations•
Preferred: For distances under 1,500 km
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Bus/Coach Travel
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Eligible: Standard service fares•
Documentation: Tickets, receipts•
Alternative: When train/air not available
Car Travel
•
Eligible: Personal vehicle reimbursement•
Rate: €0.20 per km (maximum distance band amount)•
Documentation: Detailed mileage log, fuel receipts
🏨 Accommodation and Meal Coverage
The daily subsistence allowance covers:
Accommodation
•
Hotels: Standard double rooms (not luxury)•
Receipts: Required for all accommodation expenses•
Maximum: Daily allowance amount per night•
Alternative: Host family stays (if pre-arranged)
Meals
•
Coverage: Breakfast, lunch, dinner during course days•
Documentation: Restaurant receipts or per diems•
Reasonable: Costs must be reasonable and necessary•
Maximum: Daily allowance includes meal costs
Note: Separate accommodation during travel days may be eligible if necessary.
📋 Eligible vs Non-Eligible Costs
✅ Eligible Costs (100% Covered)
•
Accredited course fees•
Approved travel costs (within distance band limits)•
Accommodation during course•
Meals during course and travel days•
Organisational support (€350)•
Visa costs (if applicable)•
Travel insurance (if required)
❌ Non-Eligible Costs (Not Covered)
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Luxury accommodation or meals•
Personal expenses (shopping, entertainment)•
Travel costs exceeding distance band limits•
Non-accredited course fees•
Alcohol or extravagant expenses•
Costs not directly related to training
🏛️ National Agency Variations
While Erasmus+ has standard EU-wide rules, National Agencies may have specific requirements:
Country-Specific Considerations
•
Germany: Strict documentation requirements, advance booking mandatory•
France: Additional language requirements for some courses•
Spain: Priority given to certain professional development areas•
Italy: Regional funding variations possible•
Netherlands: Enhanced focus on digital skills
Always check your National Agency website for country-specific rules and deadlines.
📊 Maximum Funding Amounts
Erasmus+ KA1 has no absolute maximum, but practical limits apply:
Typical Funding Ranges by Distance
•
Local (0-499 km): €1,200 - €1,800•
Medium (500-1,999 km): €1,500 - €2,200•
Long (2,000-3,999 km): €1,800 - €2,800•
Very Long (4,000+ km): €2,500 - €3,500+
Factors Affecting Total Funding
•
Distance band (travel costs)•
Training country cost of living (daily rates)•
Course duration (more days = more funding)•
Course fee amount•
Additional travel days eligibility
🔄 Funding Claim and Reimbursement Process
Application Phase
•
Submit Application: Through National Agency portal•
Receive Approval: Funding amount confirmed•
Book Course: Only after funding approval•
Make Travel Arrangements: Keep all receipts
Post-Course Phase
•
Complete Course: Attend minimum 80% of sessions•
Gather Documentation: All receipts, certificates, reports•
Submit Claim: Within 60 days of course completion•
Receive Funding: Typically 2-3 months after claim submission
Required Documentation for Claims
•
Course certificate of attendance•
All travel receipts and boarding passes•
Accommodation receipts•
Meal receipts (or per diem declaration)•
Progress report (learning outcomes)•
Signed attendance sheets
💡 Funding Optimization Strategies
Maximize Your Funding
•
Choose Strategic Locations: Balance distance bands with daily rates•
Consider Course Duration: Longer courses = more daily allowances•
Plan Travel Efficiently: Minimize unnecessary travel days•
Select Quality Providers: Ensure courses meet eligibility requirements
Cost-Saving Tips
•
Book Early: Secure best rates for travel and accommodation•
Use Public Transport: Often eligible and cost-effective•
Share Accommodation: Some programs allow cost-sharing•
Choose Central Locations: Reduce additional travel costs
🚨 Common Funding Mistakes to Avoid
Application Errors
•
Incorrect Distance Calculations: Always use official calculators•
Missing Documentation: Keep all receipts and certificates•
Wrong Daily Rates: Verify rates by training country, not sending country•
Overestimating Travel Costs: Claims limited to distance band amounts
Claim Errors
•
Late Submissions: Meet 60-day claim deadline•
Incomplete Documentation: All receipts must be original•
Incorrect Amounts: Double-check calculations before claiming•
Missing Certificates: Course completion certificates required
🛠️ Funding Calculator Tools
Official EU Tools
•
European Commission Distance Calculator: Official km calculations•
National Agency Portals: Country-specific calculators•
Erasmus+ Programme Guide: Official rates and rules
Third-Party Tools
•
Educat Academy Calculator: User-friendly funding estimator•
Excel Templates: Downloadable calculation spreadsheets•
Mobile Apps: On-the-go funding calculations
Try our free funding calculator for instant, accurate funding estimates.
📈 Funding Trends 2026
Increased Funding Amounts
•
Higher Daily Rates: Adjusted for inflation in some countries•
Extended Travel Days: More flexibility for long-distance travel•
Enhanced Organisational Support: Increased administrative grants
New Eligibility Criteria
•
Digital Skills Priority: Enhanced funding for digital competencies•
Green Travel Options: Preferences for sustainable transport•
Inclusive Education Focus: Priority for accessibility training
Country-Specific Changes
•
Nordic Countries: Maintaining high daily rates for cost of living•
Eastern Europe: Gradual increases in daily allowances•
Southern Europe: Stable rates with focus on quality training
🔗 Related Resources
📞 Funding Support Services
Need help maximizing your Erasmus+ funding? Our experts can help you:
•
Calculate exact funding amounts•
Optimize course and location selection•
Prepare funding applications•
Handle claims and reimbursement•
Troubleshoot funding issues
Contact our funding specialists for personalized assistance.
📥 Free Resources
•
Erasmus+ Funding Calculator (Interactive tool)
Grant Calculator
This Erasmus+ Funding Guide 2026 is provided by Educat Academy, an accredited Erasmus+ training provider (OID: E10339100). Funding amounts and rules are based on the official Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026. Always verify current rates with your National Agency as they may be subject to change.
