Many people have a business idea. Few know how to turn it into a real company. Pricing is hard. Finding customers is hard. Running daily work is hard. Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a program built to help with exactly this. You go abroad and learn inside a real business. And you get money support to do it.
But there is one rule that stops many people. It is about where you live. Read that part first before you spend time on anything else.
Key Details About Erasmus EYE Scholarship
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Program | Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) |
| Type | Business exchange not a scholarship or internship |
| Duration | 1 to 6 months |
| Cost to apply | Free |
| Deadline | Open all year |
| Who can apply | New entrepreneurs |
| Residence rule | Must live in an EU member state or eligible SMP country |
| Support | Monthly grant based on host country |
What This Program Is
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is also called EYE. It is a European business exchange. You work with an experienced entrepreneur in another country. You learn from them. They also gain from your skills.
This is not a university scholarship. This is not an internship. It is a business collaboration. You must bring something useful to your host. That is why a clear plan matters so much.
Quick facts:
- Applications are open all year.
- There is no application fee.
- The exchange normally lasts one to six months.
- You get monthly financial support based on the country you visit.
- You need a business plan
Who Can Apply
You can apply if you are a new entrepreneur. This means you are planning to start a business or you have run one for less than three years in total.
Other key points:
- There is no upper age limit
- You must be 18 or older
- You can apply before you launch your business
- Your business can be in any sector
- You can take part only once as a new entrepreneur
- You need a working level of language for your host country and the guide points to B2 level
The word young in the name does not mean age. It means you are at an early stage as an entrepreneur.
Also Read: Erasmus Mundus EMMIR Scholarship 2027 | Master in Migration and Intercultural Relations
The Residence Rule You Must Check First
This is the most important rule. Your country of residence must qualify. Being able to choose a European host is not enough.
You qualify if you live in:
A member state of the European Union One of the eligible Single Market Programme countries
The current list of eligible SMP countries includes:
- Albania
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Iceland
- Kosovo
- Liechtenstein
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North
- Macedonia
- Norway
- Serbia
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
Canada and the United Kingdom are host countries but living there does not qualify you as a new entrepreneur. The same is true for the United States and Singapore.
What this means for readers in Pakistan and India. If you live in Pakistan or India, you cannot apply just by picking a European host. Your residence must be in one of the eligible countries. Do not waste weeks on the form before you check this.
How the Program Decides Where You Live
The program uses clear rules:
If you have a company then your residence is where it is registered. If your company has offices in many countries then it is where you are based. If you have no company then it is the country where you spent at least 183 days in the past 12 months
If you currently live in a country that is not part of the program, you are not eligible. This stays true even if you meet the other rules.
The safest step is to talk to a local contact point and confirm your situation before you start.
Step 1: Prepare Your Business Plan
You must have a business plan before you open the form. It does not have to be very long. It must show that you have thought hard about how your business will work.
A good plan covers three things:
Product or service. What will you sell and what customer need does it meet. Market and competitors. Who are your customers and who else sells something similar. How will you market and sell. Two year finances. Your expected income and costs. Also a break even analysis.
The program gives no fixed template. You can pick your own format. If you need help ask your local contact point.
Also prepare these items:
A CV that shows your education and skills. Europass is preferred but not required. A clear motivation statement. A short summary of your plan in English for possible hosts to read
Your full plan is judged separately. It is not shared openly with every host. Check with your contact point about which language it may be written in.
Write a Specific Motivation
Many people write something too general like I want international experience. This does not help you. Be specific.
Explain which skills you need to learn. Then explain what you can offer in return.
For example, a future online store owner could want to learn supplier choice and pricing. That person could offer skill in product photography. This is only an example and not a required format.
Erasmus EYE Scholarship Benefits
EYE gives a monthly grant based on the country where you will stay. It covers only the time you spend abroad working with your host.
Examples of current monthly rates linked by the program:
- Germany or Spain at 900 euros
- France at 950 euros
- Italy at 1000 euros
- Denmark at 1200 euros
These numbers can change. Confirm your exact rate with your contact point before you make plans.
Be careful here. The grant is support. It is not a promise that every cost will be paid. Compare it with the cost of housing and transport and daily living. You may need some of your own money. Also ask when payments will arrive.
How To Apply for Erasmus EYE Scholarship
The order matters. You apply as a new entrepreneur first. Then you find a host.
Step 1. Pick a local contact point. Use the official directory to find one in your country of residence. If your country has none, you may use one in another European country.
Step 2. Start the online registration. Choose New entrepreneur. Add your profile and motivation. Add language skills and business sector. Add preferred countries and the dates you are free. Upload your CV and plan. Add your summary. You can save a draft while you work.
Step 3. Submit your application. Check all fields first. A saved draft is not a real submission. Your contact point will review it. They can accept it or ask for more details or refuse it.
Step 4. After you are accepted, find a host. Search the online catalogue with help from your contact point. You can also suggest an entrepreneur you already know.
Step 5. Agree on exchange activities with the host. Set goals and dates and an activity plan. Send them to your contact point for approval. A normal internship style plan will not qualify.
Step 6. Sign the agreements. All partners sign the Commitment to Quality digitally. You also sign a financial agreement with your contact point. Confirm dates and payment schedule and travel or visa needs before you book anything.
Finding a host does not replace the program review. You still need approval at every stage.
How Long the Exchange Lasts
The normal time is one to six months. You can also split your stay into weekly parts. The full period must stay within 12 months.
When To Apply?
There is no deadline. You can apply any time during the year. This was last checked on 11 October 2026.
Your dates are decided later. They are set after your application is reviewed and a host is found.
