★ Guide · Erasmus+ Basics

What Is Erasmus+ KA1?

The short version, for coordinators who need the answer before the next staff meeting — and the full version, for when you're ready to plan.

The Short Version

Key Action 1, in One Paragraph

Erasmus+ KA1 — Learning Mobility of Individuals — is the part of the EU's Erasmus+ programme that funds vocational education and training (VET) students and staff to spend time abroad. For a VET student, that almost always means a work placement: a professional internship in a host company in another EU country, arranged between your school and a partner on the ground — for schools working with DNA Europe, that's Lisbon.

The EU pays for it. Your school applies for the grant through its own National Agency; the student does the internship; everyone gets certified documentation at the end. That's the whole loop.

Who Can Apply

Two Ways for a School to Get Funded

Both routes go through your National Agency — not through DNA Europe or any host partner.

Short-Term Project

Built for organisations applying for the first time, or running mobility occasionally rather than every year. Simpler application, one deadline a year (two if your country opens a second round).

Erasmus Accreditation

A long-term "membership" for schools that want mobility as a standing part of what they offer. No prior experience required to apply — accreditation is open to new organisations too.

We cover exact deadlines, participant limits and the step-by-step application process in How to Apply for Erasmus+ VET Funding.

Funding

What KA1 Actually Pays For

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Travel

A distance-based contribution towards return travel to the host country.

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Individual Support

A daily allowance covering accommodation, meals and local transport for the whole stay.

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Organisational Support

A per-participant contribution for preparation, monitoring and validating the mobility.

Inclusion Support

Extra funding for participants with fewer opportunities or additional needs.

Formats

How Long Does a KA1 Mobility Last?

In Practice

What a KA1 Mobility to Lisbon Looks Like

Once your school's application is approved, the funding covers the trip — but someone still has to find a matching host company, arrange accommodation, monitor the placement and produce the paperwork your National Agency expects in the final report. That's the part that happens on our end: DNA Europe acts as the host partner in Lisbon for schools in Romania, Italy and Poland, handling placements, logistics and documentation so the coordinator isn't running a project abroad on top of a full teaching schedule.

Lisbon Alfama district, host city for Erasmus+ KA1 VET internships

Ready to Look at Dates?

Tell us your students' fields of study and rough timing — we'll tell you what's realistic for a Lisbon placement.