The Canadian government has announced plans to negotiate with the European Union (EU) to expand Canada’s participation in Erasmus+, a European program that supports international education, training, and exchange opportunities.
The announcement was made on October 30, following the Canada-EU Summit held in Montréal on October 29 and 30. During the summit, both sides introduced a broader partnership called the Alliance for the Future.
Canada already has youth mobility agreements with 22 of the EU’s 27 member states through the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. These agreements allow eligible young Europeans to obtain work permits in Canada.
Erasmus+ is an EU funding program that supports learning abroad and partnerships between organizations across several sectors, including education and sports.
Full participation is currently limited to the EU’s 27 member states and six associated countries. Other countries can participate in selected activities if they meet the relevant requirements.
Canada is currently classified as a ‘third country not associated to the Programme.’ This means Canadian universities and other organizations can participate only in certain Erasmus+ activities, subject to specific eligibility rules.
Eligible participants may receive financial support to help cover expenses related to studying or training abroad, including travel and living expenses.
Erasmus+ supports several types of activities, including:
- Student exchanges: Opportunities for post-secondary students to complete part of their studies at an institution abroad.
- Traineeships: Practical training placements for eligible students and recent graduates.
- Staff mobility: Teaching and professional development opportunities for educators and other post-secondary institution staff.
- Joint master’s programs: Graduate programs delivered jointly by institutions in multiple countries, with scholarships available to selected applicants.
- Youth exchanges: Projects that bring together young people from different countries for learning and skills-development activities.
Canadian universities cannot currently apply for Erasmus+ exchange funding independently. Instead, institutions in EU member states and associated countries partner with them and submit applications on their behalf. These arrangements allow students to study abroad for academic credit for periods ranging from two to twelve months.
According to the European Commission, projects selected between 2022 and 2024 planned for 1,007 students and staff to travel from Canada to EU member states and associated countries. Another 866 participants were expected to travel from those countries to Canada.
Canadians can also apply for EU-funded scholarships through Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters. These scholarships can cover tuition, travel, and living expenses. Between 2021 and 2024, 91 recipients from Canada were selected.
The current Erasmus+ program period will end in 2027.
However, the federal government has not yet provided details about the planned expansion, the negotiation schedule, or when any changes could take effect.
In its October 30 announcement, the government said Canada and the EU would negotiate more opportunities for Canadians to study, live, and work in Europe in the coming months.
A related background document from the Prime Minister’s Office also stated that Canada would explore a new youth mobility partnership. The initiative aims to help young Canadians and Europeans access opportunities in both regions.
The government said these initiatives would create more opportunities for Canadian students, educators, training institutions, and youth organizations to work with European partners through international exchanges, joint learning activities, and institutional partnerships.
Work And Travel Opportunities Through International Experience Canada
Canada also provides international work and travel opportunities through the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. It operates through reciprocal youth mobility agreements with participating countries and territories.
Currently, citizens of 22 of the EU’s 27 member states can participate through agreements with Canada.
IEC has three categories: Working Holiday, which provides open work permits that allow participants to work for most Canadian employers; Young Professionals; and International Co-op (Internship), which provide employer-specific work permits.
All 22 participating EU member states offer access to the Working Holiday category, although not every country offers all three categories.
Applicants generally must be between 18 and 35 years old. Depending on their nationality and the applicable agreement, work permits are typically valid for 12 or 24 months.
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