Studying abroad with a child

Students and graduates who are funded through Erasmus+ for a study or internship abroad and travel abroad with their child/children.

Interns cannot combine the internship top-up with the additional support for children (social top-up), but they can choose the higher of the two (either internship top-up or social top-up).

A) No separate application is required to receive the "top-up". You only need to inform the THM in writing or verbally about your additional needs to receive a "top-up". No further documents to provethat your child/children are traveling abroad (e.g., travel documents or proof of on-site childcare) .

B) You can submit an application for actual costs, which you must apply for at the International Office no later than four months before the planned start of your stay abroad. The requested amount will be calculated based on your personal needs and paid in addition to the regular Erasmus+ grant. Please note that only additional costs that are 1) not covered by national agencies (integration offices, health insurance companies, regional associations, social welfare offices, student unions) and 2) incurred by you for your children during your stay abroad can be considered. These include, for example, travel expenses for child(ren), accommodation costs, or childcare costs (generally, costs for childcare in a state-run facility are covered; for further details, please see the information in the application form).

A) Regardless of the number of accompanying children and the host country, the monthly grant (“Social Top-Up”) amounts to €250 (in addition to the general Erasmus+ funding).

B) The application for actual costs is generally a maximum of €15,000 per semester and €30,000 per academic year. Further information: https://eu.daad.de/infos-fuer-einzelpersonen/foerderung-fuer-studierende-und-graduierte/sonderfoerderung/de/52181-auslandsstudium-und--praktikum-mit-kind/ 

Eligibility for BAföG funding for studies abroad is assessed independently of eligibility for domestic BAföG. It may be granted even if there is no entitlement to domestic BAföG, as the income threshold for eligibility is somewhat higher.

Depending on your destination region, different central offices for student financial aid abroad in Germany are responsible. You can find out which office is responsible for you at BAföG.de. There you will also find information on how to apply for BAföG funding for studies abroad.

For BAföG (Federal Training Assistance Act) for studies abroad, a flat-rate childcare allowance granted in accordance with Section 14b of the BAföG.

For each child under 14 years of age, there is a monthly allowance of €150.

Here you will find a brief overview of BAföG (Federal Training Assistance Act) for studies abroad.

Here you will find a report on experiences with the childcare supplement.