What is the Germany Erasmus Visa and How Long is it Valid? (2026)

The Germany Erasmus visa is a national visa, also known as type D, issued for study and internship programs exceeding 90 days. Duration, documents, and application details are on this page.

The Germany Erasmus visa is for students traveling from a higher education institution in Turkey to a university in Germany for study or internship purposes, who must apply when the program duration exceeds 90 days.It is a national (type D) visa. If the program duration is 90 days or less, a Schengen visa is sufficient. Since Erasmus requires a specific process for each applicant in terms of document variety and justification, determining the correct type of visa is the first and most critical step in the application. Marsel Visa supports applicants in document preparation by clarifying this distinction.

📌 Who Needs a Germany Erasmus Visa?

The Germany Erasmus visa covers university students going to Germany for study (exchange) or internship (traineeship) under the Erasmus+ program and whose stay exceeds 90 days. For Erasmus activities lasting 90 days or less, the applicant applies for a standard Schengen visa instead of a national visa; holders of green passports may not need a visa during this period.

Applications are made to the relevant German Consulate by making an appointment through an authorized intermediary institution in Turkey. In the national visa application, it is required that both the student's own university and the German university they will attend are part of the Erasmus program and that there is a valid Learning Agreement between them.

Germany Erasmus Visa Duration and Application Timing

The national visa application must be submitted before the education or internship process begins.at least 5-6 months ago it is recommended to be done; since applications may be limited to appointments that can be made no more than 90 days before the planned travel date, it is important for the student to initiate the process as soon as they receive the acceptance letter. After the file reaches the consulate, the evaluation period is usually 15 business days long; the busiest application period is July-August, and the process may take longer during this time.

The duration of the Erasmus visa is determined according to the total duration of the student's education or internship program; Erasmus+ programs are generally planned in 3, 6, or 12 month periods, and the visa is arranged to cover this duration.

Essential Documents Required for Germany Erasmus Visa

The following documents are standard groups of documents requested for the Erasmus national visa application; additional documents may be requested depending on the sponsorship situation and the type of education/internship.

Document	Description
Acceptance/invitation letter	Official document obtained from a German university or internship institution
Learning Agreement	Signed and stamped by the student, sending and receiving institutions
Travel health insurance	Policy covering the duration of stay, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros
Financial proof	Erasmus grant letter and/or sponsor bank documents
Student/graduation certificate	Current, stamped and signed
Passport and biometric photo	Passport valid for at least 3 months after the duration of stay, 2 recent photos
Accommodation information	Document regarding the address to be stayed in Germany

Students receiving a grant above a certain amount per month under Erasmus may not be asked for additional sponsor documents; if the grant is below this threshold or if the student is going without a grant, sponsor documents come into play.

Comprehensive information on all application processes and general Germany visa procedures can be found on our pillar page.

Germany Erasmus Visa Fee and Minimum Wage Exemption

The official visa fee is generally around 90 Euros for a standard Schengen visa and 75 Euros for a national visa; this amount is additionally subject to an intermediary service fee. It is recommended to confirm the current amounts at the time of application.

Although the minimum wage law in Germany (MiLoG) covers voluntary internships, mandatory internships and internships accompanying vocational/university education lasting up to 3 months are exempt from this obligation. In voluntary internships that do not fall under the exemption, the student is required to document that they are covering their living expenses with a grant or sponsor support.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days does it take to get a Germany Erasmus visa? Once the file reaches the consulate, the evaluation period is generally around 15 business days; this period may extend during peak times.

Is the Erasmus grant sufficient on its own for the visa application? In most cases, it is considered sufficient, but if the grant amount is low or the program is without a grant, additional sponsor bank documents may be requested.

Is health insurance mandatory for the Germany Erasmus visa? Yes, a travel health insurance policy covering the duration of stay and with a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros, valid throughout Schengen, must be provided.

Can the duration of the Erasmus visa be extended? Yes, an extension is possible with the approval of the student's own university and sufficient grant/justification; however, a change of school cannot be made during this process.

Result

The Germany Erasmus visa is evaluated under the national visa category for study and internship programs exceeding 90 days; the process proceeds largely smoothly with the correct set of documents and timely application. Marsel Visa provides consultancy support to applicants regarding document preparation and appointment tracking. Germany visa appointment You can contact Marsel Visa for document control and process management during the process: +90 554 017 52 52 or info@marselvisa.com (WhatsApp support is also available). 

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