Brexit and Erasmus+
This page provides information and updates for students who are currently/planning to undertake an Erasmus+ funded mobility to a member state of the EU in 2021 and beyond. With exit negotiations still taking place, the information enclosed is accurate as of 1st December 2020.
Negotiations and final decisions are still ongoing and the Global Opportunities Team are keeping up to date with anything that will or may affect Keele students spending time in Europe. At this point, we are aware of new travel, immigration and language requirements from January 2021 but we aren’t able to confirm the exact arrangements at this time. The links below will provide the most up to date information from the UK Government.
The Global Opportunities Team are working with students on a 1-2-1 basis to advise on any changes and guidance in order to facilitate placements in January 2021. If you have any more detailed concerns or questions please get in touch via global.opportunities@keele.ac.uk
Further information can be found on the Keele and the EU webpage, the UK Government Brexit pages, Universities UK International Brexit pages and the Foreign and Commonwealth 'Living in Guides'.
Currently, the UK is set to leave the EU on the 31st December 2020. Until then, the UK remains a Member State with all rights and obligations, which means full continuation of participation in the Erasmus+ programme.
When the UK leaves the EU in December 2020, all Erasmus+ activity until the end of the current funding period will be honoured. Keele has Erasmus contracts for EU mobility until 2022 and for International Credit Mobility (ICM) until 2023. The 2022 contract will cover student mobility up until May 2022, so any mobility that is currently ongoing will be funded in the normal way.
The main change in the immediate future for students looking to spend time on an Erasmus+ placement will be changes to travel and immigration and some additional language requirements as part of any visa process. Students should make sure to read the links below to access official government advice as to the new requirements being put in place.
From 1st January 2021, guidance from Universities UK is that UK nationals will be eligible to stay in the EU for no more than 90 days in any 180 day period without a visa. Anything over 90 days and a via may be required depending on the immigration policies of each EU27 member state. These 90 days include any other time you have spent in Europe e.g. on holiday in Spain for 2 weeks would count as 14 days out of your 90 which means you only have 76 visa free days left.
Please be aware that the negotiations and any formal decisions may be might whilst the University is closed for the Christmas break. Please make sure to stay up to date with any changes to your host country.
UK Government ‘Living In Guides’
The most recent advice about the status of EHIC cards is: If you're in an EU country on 31 December 2020 because you're studying there, or on a placement as part of a recognised UK university course, and your course continues beyond 2020, you need to apply for a new EHIC. This covers you for medically necessary healthcare until the end of your study period abroad. You can apply at NHS.uk/EHIC.
From 1 January 2021, your new UK EHIC will only be valid in the EU country in which you're studying. Make sure you also have travel insurance to cover the duration of your course. Your current EHIC will remain valid until 31 December 2020.
As our Erasmus contract runs until May 2022, students looking to undertake a mobility until May 2022 will be covered under the existing Erasmus+ arrangements as both the European commission and UK Government have committed to ensuring UK students remain eligible throughout the transition period. As above, students will need to consider any additional travel, immigration, and language requirements before accepting a placement.
From 1st January 2021, guidance from Universities UK is that UK nationals will be eligible to stay in the EU for no more than 90 days in any 180 day period without a visa. Anything over 90 days and a via may be required depending on the immigration policies of each EU27 member state. These 90 days include any other time you have spent in Europe e.g. on holiday in Spain for 2 weeks would count as 14 days out of your 90 which means you only have 76 visa free days left.
There is further information available about the immigration requirements of EU countries from 2021 from the Global Opportunities Team. We will look to publish this as soon as possible but in the meantime, please get in touch.
After 2022, Keele is committed to offering EU mobility opportunities and will engage with any discussions around a successor to the current Erasmus+ programme. We are also working with our EU partners to ensure agreements are still in place and we are able to offer our students the opportunity to study in Europe for many years to come.
The most recent advice about the status of EHIC cards is: If you're in an EU country on 31 December 2020 because you're studying there, or on a placement as part of a recognised UK university course, and your course continues beyond 2020, you need to apply for a new EHIC. This covers you for medically necessary healthcare until the end of your study period abroad. You can apply at NHS.uk/EHIC.
From 1 January 2021, your new UK EHIC will only be valid in the EU country in which you're studying. Make sure you also have travel insurance to cover the duration of your course. Your current EHIC will remain valid until 31 December 2020.
You should have at least 6 months left on your passport prior to travel.
In the event of a major change to your immigration or eligibility for Erasmus+ funding whilst you are abroad, we will endeavour to notify you as soon as we become aware of the change. We will also seek assistance and advice from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Home Office and the British Council in order to minimise the impact on your planned placements.
Government Website: https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-brexit
Erasmus Website: https://www.erasmusplus.org.uk/brexit-update