Press service
European Parliament
Press release
22-10-2026
Plenary session CULT
A better equipped Erasmus+ 2028-2034 to address the EU’s strategic challenges
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MEPs call for a €47.39 billion budget, as opposed to Commission’s €40.8 billion
Mobility grants should reflect differences between hosting cities in living costs, housing and inflation
Participation of students and teachers of higher education, learners and trainers of vocational education and training, and grassroots athletes should be encouraged
MEPs want a bigger budget for Erasmus+, the EU’s programme for learning mobility, to make it more accessible for young people of different economic, social and geographical backgrounds.
With 454 votes in favour to 34, and 93 abstentions, MEPs adopted their mandate for negotiations with EU member states on the Erasmus+ programme for 2028-2034.
To boost the programme’s outreach, MEPs want
a budget of €47.39 billion (in current prices), instead of the €40.8 billion proposed by the Commission;
clear earmarks for defined policy fields: education and learning (74.6% of the total programme budget), youth and volunteering (15%), and sports (4.1%);
Erasmus+ to be better aligned with other EU funds, such as the European Competitiveness Fund, Horizon Europe, Global Europe, and National and Regional Partnership funds;
scholarships in strategic areas supported through synergies and funded by other EU programmes;
periodical updates of the levels of funding to better reflect the real costs.
MEPs support
grants adapted to the differences in living costs, housing, and inflation between host countries, regions and cities, as well as higher expenses for those travelling to or from distant locations;
the integration of the European Solidarity Corps volunteering and solidarity activities, and the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (for aid in non-EU countries), into Erasmus+ to strengthen community and civic participation;
expanding the programme to include new profiles and new categories within existing groups, including athletes active in grassroots sport, and learners, teachers and trainers in vocational education and training (VET), and the upcoming EU teachers and trainers agenda;
faster access for candidate countries without having to complete the association procedure and stronger ties with the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
Quote
The rapporteur Bogdan Zdrojewski (EPP, PL) said: “Parliament’s position is to strengthen Erasmus+ across a range of areas and enable the programme to address the EU’s strategic challenges. With our proposals we almost double its funding, and we welcome the return of the United Kingdom.
"Erasmus+ is one of the EU’s greatest success stories, which has delivered exceptional results. The programme deserves the ambition and investment it needs to continue building on these achievements.”
Next steps
MEPs are now ready to start negotiations with EU governments once they have adopted their full mandate, including the overall funding levels for the EU’s long-term budget.
Background
The Commission proposed the new Erasmus+ regulation on 16 July 2025. The legislation is part of the EU’s 2028–2034 long-term budget (MFF) package. Parliament wants the budget to remain a strong investment tool that supports citizens, regions and businesses, while delivering clear added value beyond national budgets. MEPs propose increasing the size of the draft budget to meet new challenges and they insist on the importance of new revenue sources to fund an ambitious and sustainable budget. Find out more information.
Further information
Adopted text will be available here (22.10.2026)
Video of the debate in plenary (21.10.2026)
Press conference with the rapporteur Bogdan Zdrojewski (21.10.2026)
Procedure file
EP Think Tank: Erasmus+ programme 2028-2034
Policy department briefing: Erasmus+: Evolution, Structural Challenges and Future Design - Assessment of the legislative proposal for the 2028–2034 programme period (June 2026)
Committee on Culture and Education
Raquel Ramalho LOPES
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EPCulture
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Thea PIERIDOU
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