Traveling Abroad with a Chronic Illness or Disability

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Studying abroad is possible even if you have a disability or a chronic illness. The opportunities are diverse—and we strongly encourage you to gain international experience and embark on the adventure of studying abroad.

Depending on your personal situation, special requirements and needs must be taken into account during the planning process. These may include, for example, the accessibility of your housing and the host university, individualized medical care, or additional costs for travel to and from your destination, housing, medication, or support services.

Erasmus+

Erasmus+ offers special financial support for study abroad programs and internships to students with disabilities or chronic illnesses. In addition to a monthly top-up, under certain conditions, additional costs incurred while abroad may also be covered through an application for reimbursement of actual expenses. These include, for example, costs for accessible housing, personal assistance, or a preparatory trip. In certain cases, funding for additional costs of up to 15,000 euros per semester is also possible.

Flexible Ways to Study Abroad

It doesn’t always have to be a traditional semester abroad. Short-term stays, summer schools, or blended mobility programs—which combine a brief in-person phase with a virtual one—can also be a great way to gain international experience—especially if a longer stay isn’t feasible due to personal circumstances.

There are also various funding and support options available outside of the Erasmus+ program. You can find more information, for example, at the student services organizations and on the “Studieren weltweit” website.

Do you have questions about your planned stay abroad if you have a chronic illness or disability?

We’d be happy to advise you on other financing and support options. Just stop by during our office hours or get in touch with us.

Office Hours and Contact Persons at the International Office