The EU institutions are set to begin negotiations on the 2025 budget in November, with proposed cuts in funding for the Erasmus+ student exchange programme raising concerns across Europe. If approved, nearly all countries in the programme will be affected, especially Spain, which has been a popular destination for Erasmus students since 2001. The Erasmus Student Network, along with many student associations, opposes the EU Commission’s proposed 295 million euro cut in budget funding for the programme. The potential impact of the cuts on international mobility and accessibility to the programme for students from all social classes is a major concern.
In Spain, a group of Erasmus students gather at the University of Seville to begin their academic year, representing a diverse mix of nationalities, with Italy and Germany being predominant. The average expenses for an Erasmus student, including rent and food, amount to roughly 800 euros per month, contributing significantly to the local economy. The University of Seville alone receives close to seven million euros in funding from the Erasmus programme, enhancing its reputation as one of the top choices for Erasmus students alongside cities like Porto, Nicosia, Istanbul, and Sofia. The potential budget cuts could have a significant impact on the economic benefits enjoyed by cities like Seville, as well as on the overall mobility of students within the programme.
MEPs on the European Parliament’s budget committee have opposed the proposed cuts to key EU programmes, including Erasmus, and have called for increases instead. The Parliament’s lead negotiator on the 2025 budget emphasized the importance of maintaining essential programmes in the current context. With negotiations on the budget set to begin in November, concerns are mounting about the potential impact of the cuts on countries like Spain, which attract a significant number of Erasmus students each year. The cuts could affect the mobility of students, particularly those from France, Germany, and Spain, who are among the top participants in the programme.
The Erasmus+ student exchange programme, which has been facilitating mobility between educational centers throughout Europe since 1987, has seen a decrease in participants this year compared to last year, marking the first decline in numbers after the pandemic. The potential budget cuts could further exacerbate this trend and restrict access to international mobility opportunities for students. The programme has been a valuable tool for promoting cultural exchange and academic collaboration across Europe, and any reduction in funding could limit its impact and reach. As discussions on the 2025 budget unfold, the future of the Erasmus programme hangs in the balance, with stakeholders advocating for its continued support and expansion to ensure that it remains accessible to all students.
