Resolution on Access of Belarusian Students to Erasmus+ Programmes

Since the fraudulent presidential election of August 2020 and the subsequent crackdown on civil society, thousands of Belarusian students have been expelled from universities, imprisoned, or forced into exile. As of 2026, a substantial number are enrolled at higher education institutions across EU and EEA countries, often under temporary protection schemes or other precarious legal statuses.

Belarus is excluded from Erasmus+ as a programme country. This reflects a deliberate political decision regarding the Lukashenka regime. In practice, however, this creates significant ambiguity: it remains unclear whether Belarusian nationals enrolled at European institutions are eligible for outgoing Erasmus+ mobility. National Agencies and institutions are currently resolving this inconsistently, with the result that students of identical institutional standing are treated differently based on their passport. Although Belarusian nationals with a residence permit in a programme country meet the formal eligibility threshold for Erasmus+ participation, selection in practice favours citizenship holders, placing Belarusian applicants at a structural disadvantage.

The European Commission has taken meaningful steps in support of Belarusian civil society, including backing for the Belarusian University in Exile and targeted scholarships under external action instruments. These do not, however, address the situation of Belarusian students already integrated into European higher education systems, who remain in a grey zone when it comes to standard Erasmus+ mobility rights.

The European Students’ Union therefore:

Calls on the European Commission and EACEA to restore meaningful access to Erasmus+ for Belarusians, recognising that sanctions targeting the Lukashenka regime should not translate into the exclusion of young people who are themselves victims of that regime. Measures restricting Belarus as a state actor must be clearly distinguished from policies affecting individual students. Investing in the mobility and education of Belarusian youth is a long-term investment in a democratic Belarus. ESU therefore calls for a dedicated framework within Erasmus+ that enables Belarusian students to participate in mobility on equal terms.

Calls on ESU member unions to advocate at the national level for equal treatment of Belarusian students in Erasmus+ selection processes.