UK to rejoin Erasmus+ in 2027: new opportunities for European students

The United Kingdom will rejoin the Erasmus+ programme on 1 January 2027, ending six years of absence following its departure from the European Union. The agreement, formalised in April 2026 between London and Brussels, marks an important step towards rebuilding educational and cultural ties between both sides and opens up new opportunities for thousands of young Europeans.

The UK's return will allow British students to participate once again in academic and training exchanges in European countries, while students from the European Union will regain opportunities to undertake educational and professional placements at British institutions through the programme.

The British Government estimates that more than 100,000 people could benefit during the first year of participation, including students, apprentices, teachers, young people and those involved in vocational training programmes.

What does the UK's return to Erasmus+ mean?

Erasmus+ is one of Europe's leading programmes for mobility, education and international cooperation. Its aim is to enable students and professionals to expand their education in other countries, gain international experience and develop linguistic, academic and professional skills.

British participation will cover several areas:

• Universities and higher education: academic exchanges and study placements between European and British institutions.
• Vocational education and training: work placements in companies and specialist training centres abroad.
• Secondary education: cultural and educational exchanges between schools.
• Teachers and trainers: mobility programmes, professional development and international cooperation.
• Youth and sport: collaborative projects, learning opportunities and international experiences.

The UK's participation is initially planned for 2027, with a subsequent review to assess the results and consider its continuation from 2028 onwards.

Six years of absence following Brexit

The UK's withdrawal from Erasmus+ was one of the educational consequences of Brexit. Although the United Kingdom officially left the European Union in January 2020, its decision not to continue as an associated country in the programme from 2021 resulted in the interruption of many traditional exchanges.

During those years, the British Government introduced the Turing Scheme, designed to fund international mobility opportunities for British students. However, this system did not fully replicate Erasmus+'s reciprocal cooperation model.

The return to the European programme therefore represents more than simply restoring university exchanges. It also offers an opportunity to rebuild relationships between educational institutions, encourage connections between young people from different countries and strengthen cultural and professional cooperation.

Spain, one of the countries set to benefit

Spain has traditionally been one of the most popular destinations for European students participating in Erasmus+. Its universities, attractive cities, climate and opportunities to learn Spanish make it a particularly appealing destination.

The restoration of exchanges with the United Kingdom could benefit Spanish universities, training centres, schools and organisations involved in international education programmes.

It also opens up new possibilities for Spanish students interested in improving their English through academic placements or professional internships in British cities.

In this context, Andalusia, and particularly the Costa del Sol, has characteristics that could encourage the development of international educational initiatives.

The large British community living in Málaga province, the presence of numerous international schools and the activities of universities and training centres create a particularly favourable environment for cultural and educational exchanges.

For educational institutions on the Costa del Sol, the UK's return to Erasmus+ could provide an opportunity to establish new partnerships with British institutions, organise student and teacher exchanges and develop joint projects.

An opportunity to learn languages and broaden horizons

Beyond the academic benefits, one of the greatest advantages of Erasmus+ is the personal experience it offers participants.

Living in another country for a period of time allows people to discover new cultures, improve their language skills, develop independence and establish international relationships that can last a lifetime.

For young Spaniards, regaining the opportunity to study or undertake work placements in the United Kingdom means once again having access to a destination with a long-standing academic and professional tradition.

Similarly, British students will regain the opportunity to discover Spain from a perspective different from tourism, temporarily becoming part of its universities, educational institutions and professional environments.

When will the exchanges begin?

The United Kingdom's official participation will begin on 1 January 2027. British institutions will be able to apply for funding under the 2027 Erasmus+ call for proposals, which is expected to be published in autumn 2026.

However, individual exchanges will depend on the projects approved and their implementation. The first opportunities arising from these projects could become available during the second half of 2027.

Interested students should seek information through their universities, schools or training centres, as individual participation is normally organised through educational institutions and accredited organisations.

The UK's return to Erasmus+ represents a new opportunity to restore educational connections between both sides of the English Channel. For Spain, and particularly for international communities such as the Costa del Sol, this new chapter could help strengthen cultural, educational and professional ties with the United Kingdom.