Erasmus grant timing & proof of funds in Lithuania
Your Erasmus+ grant almost never arrives before you leave home. Plan to fund your first few weeks in Lithuania yourself, then receive the bulk once you have arrived and signed the right forms.
How the grant is paid: the 80/20 rule
Erasmus+ "individual support" is a monthly grant from your home (sending) university, not from your Lithuanian host. It is normally paid in two instalments:
- First instalment (~80%) — paid shortly after you arrive, once your paperwork is in.
- Final instalment (~20%) — paid after your mobility ends and your closing documents are accepted.
The exact split (some universities use 70/30 or 90/10) and the timing are set by your home university and its National Agency, not by Lithuania. Check your grant agreement for the precise figures.
Confirm your own grant terms
Grant amounts, instalment splits and payment dates vary by sending university and country. Treat the figures here as typical, not guaranteed — your grant agreement and your home Erasmus office are the only authoritative source for your case.
Erasmus grant timing in Lithuania: what unlocks each payment
To release the first instalment, most home universities need:
- A signed Learning Agreement (the Online Learning Agreement, agreed by you, your home and your host before you travel).
- A Certificate of Arrival / Confirmation of Arrival signed and stamped by your Lithuanian host university after you register on campus.
Once those are uploaded, the transfer is triggered — but the money still takes time to reach you. Host universities such as VMU note the first 80% typically lands within about two weeks of arrival and opening a local bank account. In practice, allow 3–6 weeks from arrival before you see it.
The final 20% is released after you submit your Certificate of Attendance / Departure and complete the EU Survey (participant report) at the end of your stay.
Bring a buffer
Carry or have instant access to enough to cover roughly your first month — rent deposit, transport, food — without the grant. Opening a Lithuanian or EU-wide account (Revolut, Wise, or a local bank) before or right after arrival speeds up the transfer.
Top-ups you may not realise you get
Beyond the base monthly rate, Erasmus+ offers extras worth asking about:
| Support | Typical amount | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Travel support | Distance-based (e.g. ~€180 for 100–499 km up to ~€1,500 for 8,000+ km) | All, calculated on distance home to Vilnius/Kaunas |
| Fewer-opportunities top-up | +€250/month | Students meeting inclusion criteria |
| Green travel | Extra days + lump sum | If you travel by train/bus/carpool |
Lithuania sits in the lower-cost Group 3, so the base rate is modest — but the top-ups can meaningfully change your budget. Confirm what applies to you with your home office.
How the grant ties into proof of funds
Your immigration path depends on your nationality.
EU / EEA / EFTA exchange students
No visa and no proof-of-funds step at a consulate. You can study in Lithuania up to 360 days under an EU programme or bilateral agreement without a Lithuanian visa. You should still register your stay locally if it runs long — your host's international office will guide you.
Non-EU exchange students
You will need a national (D) visa, and exchange students are usually exempt from the visa state fee (the host university submits a mediation letter). For the visa you must show sufficient means of subsistence plus enough for return travel, and health insurance.
The subsistence figure is tied to Lithuania's minimum monthly wage (MMA) and is recalculated each year, so it rose for 2026. Roughly, it is half an MMA per month of stay, plus one MMA for return travel.
- Monthly subsistence reference: €576.50unverified
- For a longer stay, the 12-month proof figure: ≈ €8,071unverified
Your grant can be the proof
A grant or scholarship certificate stating your monthly Erasmus amount is commonly accepted as evidence of subsistence, often instead of (or alongside) bank statements. Because the certificate may not arrive until your home university confirms funding, request it early.
Figures change yearly — verify before you rely on them
The exact subsistence amount, return-travel amount and health-insurance minimum for a D visa change with the MMA and with the rules. Confirm the current numbers on the Migration Department student page or the EU Immigration Portal before you assemble your application.
Quick checklist before you travel
- Signed Online Learning Agreement on file with your home office
- Grant agreement read — you know your rate, split and payment trigger
- Scholarship certificate requested (for visa proof, if non-EU)
- Health insurance arranged (EHIC if EU; min. cover for a D visa if non-EU)
- One month of living costs available without the grant
Frequently asked
Does the Erasmus grant arrive before I leave?+
Usually no. Most home universities pay the first instalment (around 80%) only after you arrive in Lithuania and return a signed arrival confirmation, so budget to cover your first few weeks yourself.
Can my Erasmus grant count as proof of funds for the visa?+
Often yes. A grant or scholarship certificate stating the monthly amount is commonly accepted as evidence of subsistence, but bank statements may still be requested. Confirm with the Lithuanian consulate or your host university.
How much is the Erasmus grant for Lithuania?+
It depends on your home university and country group, plus any travel and inclusion top-ups. Ask your sending university's Erasmus office for your exact monthly rate before you travel.
Do EU exchange students need to prove funds at all?+
If you stay under an EU programme or bilateral agreement, you can study in Lithuania for up to 360 days without a Lithuanian visa, so there is no separate proof-of-funds step at a consulate.
When do I get the final 20%?+
After your mobility ends, once your Certificate of Attendance and online experience report (EU Survey) are submitted and accepted by your home university.