6.5 Cross-border learning mobility
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Instituto de la Juventud de España
Spanish Institute for Youth
C/ José Ortega y Gasset 71
ES-28006 Madrid
Tel: +34 917 827 602
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Policy framework
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Main cross-border mobility programmes for students in formal education
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Promoting mobility in the context of non-formal learning, and of youth work
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Quality assurance
Policy framework
Cross-border learning mobility of young people is a national priority in Saun and is embedded in the educational and legal framework. The Organic Law of Education (Ley Orgánica de Educación) recognises international mobility and exchanges as essential to the openness the Spanish educational system.
Similarly, the Organic law of the University System (Ley Orgánica de Sistema Universitario) includes student mobility as a core objective and guarantees the recognition of learning outcomes acquired abroad.
The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, together with the Ministry of Universities, and the Autonomous Communities, supports student mobility at all education levels. These institutions develop, finance, and coordinate programmes for young people, often in partnership with education and training providers.
The Spanish Service for the Internationalization of Education (Servicio Español para la Internacionalización de la Educación, SEPIE) is the national body responsible for managing most mobility actions within the Erasmus+ Programme in the field of education and training.
In 2025, the Erasmus+ programme's budget increased by 6.5% compared to the previous year, reaching approximately €5 billion. This expansion aims to support a broader range of learning exchanges and cooperation partnerships in education, training, youth, and sport.
Main cross-border mobility programmes for students in formal education
The Erasmus+ Programme 2021-2027 (Programa Erasmus+2021-2027) remains the primary framework for student mobility in Spain, covering higher education, vocational training, school education, and adult learning.
- SEPIE managed decentralized Erasmus+ actions, including calls for proposals (Convocatorias), grant allocations and institutional coordination.
- Additional financial support may be offered by the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports and by regional governments through complementary Erasmus+ grants (ayudas complementarias dispuestas por las CCAA para los programas Erasmus+).
For Vocational Education and Training (Formación Profesional), Erasmus + supports short- and long-term placements in companies or training institutions abroad.
In Spain, there are two institutions designated as National Agencies for the management of Erasmus+
- SEPIE: The Spanish Service for the Internationalization of Education (Servicio Español para la Internacionalización de la Educación, SEPIE) for education and training
- INJUVE: Manages the Erasmus+ Youth and Sports strands as the designated National Agency. It collaborates with the Youth Council of Spain (CJE) and regional youth organisations on youth mobility strategies and outreach.
At regional level, several Autonomous Communities (e.g. Navarre, Aragon, La Rioja), offer their own regional programmes for cross-border mobility. These grants support international study or work placements for students.
In the field of higher education and academic careers:
- The State Mobility Subprogramme (Subprograma Estatal de Movilidad), managed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación) and the Ministry of Universities (Ministerio de Universidades) supports doctoral and postdoctoral stays abroad.
- The José Castillejo Grant (“Estancia de Movilidad en el extranjero José Castillejo”) supports young researchers for international placements lasting 3 to 6 months.
In addition, universities and public research institutions often sign bilateral mobility agreements, enabling additional opportunities for students and young teaching staff.
Promoting mobility in the context of non-formal learning, and of youth work
Erasmus+
Erasmus+ also supports mobility through its Youth Chapter (Programa Erasmus+ La juventud en acción), which includes:
- Youth exchanges
- European Solidarity Corps
- Mobility of youth workers
- Structures dialogue between youth and decision-makers
The 2024 call for Erasmus+ proposals emphasized increased support for youth and youth worker mobility through non-formal education projects. To address inflationary pressures, the programme raised financial support amounts for both organizations and participants. For more information, see sub-chapter 10.3.
These activities are coordinated nationally by INJUVE, which acts as the as a National Agency youth-related Erasmus+ actions. Strategic partnerships and transnational cooperation projects also foster the exchange of good practices.
Available data on the most recent Erasmus+ and ESC calls provides some insights into funding for Spanish projects on youth work under this fund:
| Call | Field | Topic | Nº of projects | Budget |
| Erasmus+ 2023 | Youth | Quality and innovation of youth work | 152 | 6.7 million Euros |
| Erasmus+ 2024 | Youth | Quality and innovation of youth work | 142 | 8.2 million Euros |
| ESC 2023 | Quality and innovation of youth work | 7 | 58,176.00 Euros | |
| ESC 2024 | Quality and innovation of youth work | 7 | 58,812.00 Euros |
Sources: Erasmus+ Projects Results Platform. Filtered by projects coordinated by Spanish organizations in the field of youth. ESC Project Results Platform. Filtered by projects hosted by Spanish organizations.
Other activities
Beyond Erasmus+, Spain promotes international mobility through:
- International Mobility Programmes for Young People (Programas de Movilidad Internacional para Jóvenes): Coordinated by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones), it offers training, work placements and entrepreneurship opportunities abroad for Spanish citizens under 35 years living outside Spain.
- Programme for Young Professionals (Programa para Jóvenes Profesionales): led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación), it supports talented young Spaniards in beginning international careers in International Organizations.
- EURES Mobility Scheme (Ayudas a la movilidad EURES): Managed by Public Service of State Employment ( Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE)), it provides guidance and financial support for cross-border job seekers and learners within the EU.
Local and regional governments offer additional support and guidance for mobility in youth work, volunteering and informal learning contexts.
Quality assurance
Spain does not currently have a single national framework for evaluating mobility programmes. However, several mechanisms are in place:
- SEPE, through the EURES Network, conducts satisfaction surveys and external evaluations of mobility projects.
- SEPIE performs quality assurance and monitoring (evaluación y control) of the Erasmus+ projects. It organises periodic evaluations, guides, and audits in line with European Commission requirements. Institutions benefiting from Erasmus+ funding are subject to compliance checks.
- INJUVE publishes a Youth Policy Evaluation Manual ( Manual de evaluación para políticas, planes, programas y actividades de juventud), which serves as a guide for which assessing youth programmes, including those involving international mobility.
Although some of these evaluations are project-based, there is no overarching strategy for monitoring cross-border mobility outcomes. Continued coordination between SEPIE, INJUVE, SEPE, and regional authorities aims to strengthen this area.