Are you in a work-study programme and dreaming of an experience abroad? It is now possible without giving up your contract. The law « pour un Erasmus de l'apprentissage » (for an Erasmus for apprenticeships) and the upgrade of the Erasmus+ grants in 2026 are making international mobility more accessible than ever for apprentices.
In short: since the law of 27 December 2023, any apprentice can complete part of their contract abroad, for a duration that does not exceed one year or half of the contract. Two statuses exist: the secondment (the French contract continues, ideal for short stays) and the contract suspension (the contract is put on hold, for long stays). The Erasmus+ programme, whose grants increased in 2026, funds the trip. Your starting point: the mobility officer at your CFA.
What is the "Erasmus for apprenticeships"?
For a long time, going abroad mid-apprenticeship was an uphill battle: the French employment contract sat awkwardly with a period spent outside France. The loi n° 2023-1267 du 27 décembre 2023 (Law no. 2023-1267 of 27 December 2023), nicknamed "for an Erasmus for apprenticeships", clarified the rules to make these stays simple and safe.
In practice, an apprentice can now complete part of their training or work in another country — in Europe through Erasmus+, but also outside the European Union — while remaining attached to their programme. The period abroad cannot exceed one year, nor more than half of the total length of the contract.
Mobility is no longer reserved for students at top schools: an apprentice in a CAP, a BTS or a vocational bachelor's degree can also add an international experience to their journey.
Secondment or contract suspension: which status during the mobility?
This is the key point to understand. Depending on the length of your stay, your contract takes one of these two forms:
| Status | For which stays | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Secondment | Short mobilities (up to 4 weeks) | The French contract continues, the employer pays the salary, the host organisation supervises the work |
| Contract suspension | Long mobilities (beyond 4 weeks) | The French contract is put on hold; pay and social protection fall under the host country, often topped up by Erasmus+ |
In both cases, the mobility is governed by an agreement signed between the apprentice, the employer, the French CFA and the host organisation. This document sets out the dates, the assignments and everyone's responsibilities — it secures your departure.
What Erasmus+ support for apprentices in 2026?
The crux of the matter is funding. Good news: the scale of Erasmus+ grants has been upgraded for 2026 to better cover housing, transport and the cost of living on site. A few points to keep in mind:
- the grant is monthly and varies according to the destination country (the amount is higher for countries where living is expensive);
- an "inclusion" top-up is provided for people with fewer opportunities: disability, low income, geographical isolation;
- funding for a long mobility is conditional on a minimum duration of 15 days;
- the national goal is ambitious: to enable tens of thousands of apprentices to experience life abroad.
This support adds to the other help you can benefit from day to day. Before you leave, review the financial aid (housing, mobility, equipment) and estimate your budget with our pay calculator.
How to organise your departure, step by step?
There is no need to handle everything alone. Every CFA has an international mobility officer, your dedicated point of contact. Here is the path to follow:
- Make an appointment with the mobility officer at your CFA as soon as the idea takes shape: the more you plan ahead, the stronger the project.
- Secure your employer's agreement. Their signature remains essential; present the mobility as an asset for the company (languages, openness, new methods).
- Choose the host organisation (a foreign company or training centre) and the status suited to the duration.
- Sign the mobility agreement and submit your Erasmus+ application.
- Sort out the practical side: insurance, housing, European Health Insurance Card for the EU, tickets.
An experience abroad strengthens a CV and shows a real ability to adapt — decisive assets when it comes to landing a contract or choosing the right apprenticeship. And if you are still unsure about your direction, explore the work-study careers before aiming abroad.
International mobility is no longer a luxury reserved for a few: it is a right open to all apprentices. In 2026, the framework is in place and the support is there — all that is left is to take the leap.