What Is the Cheapest Erasmus+ or Turing Destination?

The first question students, parents and teachers usually ask us is, "How much does an Erasmus+ internship cost?"  Most of the time, that question is followed by, "What's the cheapest Erasmus + internship available and how do I keep my costs down?" As a company organising numerous Erasmus + stays and internships, we get those types of questions every single day! The truth is, that there are a few things you need to think about, when you ask us to organise your Erasmus + or Turing stay abroad.

To help you find the right destination for your budget, in this article, we will:

• Tell you which Erasmus + destinations have the lowest living costs and
• Give you three examples of potentially low-cost Erasmus + stays
  
  

Which Erasmus + or Turing Destinations Have the Lowest Living Costs?

There are some cities where you can enjoy a great Erasmus + and Turing experience, while keeping your living costs down. This doesn’t mean that you won’t have a wonderful exchange experience, or an uncomfortable flat or a host family where you’re not at home. Lower living costs means that your costs for food, activities and rent are cheaper than in other countries. So, you’re able to complete your Erasmus + or Turing internship with ease when you’re not concerned about not having enough money.

These are the potential partner that have lower cost of living in the EU as follows, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Romania, Hungary and the Czech Republic. There are also other countries outside of the EU. Those countries are Serbia, Turkey and Northern Macedonia.

Examples of Three Potentially Low-Cost Erasmus + or Turing Stays:

BULGARIA - SOFIA

Let‘s start with the beautiful country of Bulgaria. Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, is the biggest city with fantastic Erasmus + or Turing internships, guaranteed to give you an unforgettable experience.

Sofia has about 1.5 million citizens, the airport is located near the city, in the north, below the Vitosha mountain - where you can go skiing and hiking. The city has rich culture. In the centre of the city, next to the metro station Serdika, you will find the former city walls. There are many other tourist attractions, both in the centre and in nearby neighborhoods outside of the main area. You could say that Sofia has something for everyone. Just to be prepared, Bulgaria’s currency is still the Lev. 1 Lev is (depending on the currency markets) approximately 0,50 cents.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Sofia?

The rent in a dormitory costs about € 30 per month for Bulgarian students and the cost is almost the same for foreign students. However, the dormitories are not necessarily high quality, which is why it might be an option for you to look for an apartment instead. An apartment with 75 m² costs between € 22-€ 250 per month, it always depends on the location though.

The utilities costs are about € 75 in winter, depending on where you live and whether you use gas, electricity or another type of heating. Transport tickets cost € 25 per month and a single ticket costs € 0,60 cents and is valid for one trip. Cinema and theatre tickets are around € 3 – but every Thursday tickets in every cinema costs only € 3 - for the opera and the ballet you should expect to pay € 25. Most clubs don’t charge admission and if they do, it is usually around € 5. You should be aware that in Bulgaria the winters are pretty cold, if you come from Spain, Portugal or Italy winter will feel even colder!

POLAND-Warsaw

Warsaw is the capital of Poland and has the largest population. It offers many things to do and lots of places to visit. The most spectacular attraction is probably the Royal Castle and it’s located in the middle of the old town.

How Expensive is It to Live in Warsaw?

The prices to rent a room are between € 150-€ 300 and for a small apartment you’ll pay between € 300-€ 450. Poland is generally quite cheap, and with a monthly income of about € 500, it is enough for a student.

There are a lot of cultural attractions in Warsaw worth visiting. The Museum of Warsaw is number one on the list. Even if museums sound boring, this museum is completely different thanks to its modern style and interactive exhibitions. It is a great way to learn the basics of the history of Warsaw, while in a relaxed atmosphere.

For a real magical place, try the promenade on Nowy'wiat street and the iconic Pawilony, where young people enjoy themselves. A visit there is a must! Another highlight is the beach next to the Vistula River in Prague District. It's obvious... beer, sand, water, just sit there and soak up the views.

CROATIA-Zagreb

What reasons are there to enjoy an Erasmus+ or Turing internship in Zagreb, Croatia? Zagreb is one of the cheapest but coolest capital cities in the world. It is also not too popular with tourists meaning that is not overcrowded. The history of the Balkans is fascinating and if you want to visit a place that is in Europe but doesn’t look and feel European, then Zagreb is the right place to be. Walking through the streets of the country, you can still see and feel the remnants of war. As Zagreb is a small town, you can walk around the city really easily and you don't have to spend money on public transport.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Zagreb?

In Zagreb accommodation costs are around € 200, excluding utilities (around € 60). With another € 150-€ 200 you will be able to cover your groceries and other costs. The Croatian language is not easy, but everyone, even old people, speak English fluently and are very helpful. The University also offers language courses. If you want to learn the Croatian language, the best way is to interact with and hang out with locals. They are very friendly, ready to teach the language and the culture and they will help you practice.

There are lots of interesting museums to visit in Zagreb: the Museum of Romance Relations, the Museum of Illusions, the Torture Museum, etc. Plus, there are many beautiful churches, you don't have to be religious to enjoy them! We’d recommend a visit to the zoo and combining it with a walk through Maksimir Park, where the zoo is located.

When you are in Zagreb in winter, bring warm clothes, it gets very cold! It is a good idea to choose the summer semester, because there are so many beautiful places on the coast. Do visit Lake Jarun just outside the city centre. When the weather is good, it is the best place to go for a walk or to jog (if you want to stay fit and healthy).

Do rent a car and drive along the Dalmatian coastal road. You will see many beautiful cities; Pula, Zadar, Split and of course famous Dubrovnik. If you are in Zagreb in February, visit the city of Rijeka, they celebrate the biggest carnival in Croatia and lots of people believe that it’s the third largest in the world!

Now that you are familiar with some of the cheapest Erasmus+ and Turing destinations, why not find out more about the Most Exotic Erasmus+ Destinations or the Safest Erasmus+ or Turing Destinations in Europe.

Looking for more information for your Erasmus + or Turing stay abroad? Then here are a few articles that you should read next:

Staying in a host family vs. renting an apartment during your Erasmus+ or Turing mobility.

Why Erasmus+ and Turing Programmes are so Important

We hope you liked this article, why not leave us a comment and tell us about your unique internship abroad? If you are still not sure where to do your Erasmus+ or Turing mobility, you can always contact us and one of our experts will help you with the decision.