FAQs - Education & Youth

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School enrolment

• My children don't speak the language of the country we've just moved to very well yet. Does this mean we have to put them in an expensive international school?

  NO - As EU citizens, your children are entitled to attend school in any EU country under the same conditions as nationals of that country. They have the right to be placed in a class with their own age group, at the equivalent level to their class in your country of origin, regardless of their language level.

  If you are an EU national moving to another EU country for work, your children are entitled under EU law to receive free language tuition in your new home country to help them adapt to the school system there.

Access to education and tuition fees

• I want to go to university in another country and the authorities are requiring me to take a language test to do so. Can they do that?

  YES - The relevant authorities are entitled to ask you to take a language test. However, such rules should be applied in a proportionate manner and exceptions should be possible, in order to take account of individual circumstances - for example, if you have lived or worked in a country using that language.

• I'm Danish and want to study in Germany - but the university there tells me I'll need to pay tuition fees. Aren't EU nationals studying in another EU country exempt from fees?

  NO - EU law doesn't exempt you from tuition fees! What it does say is that you must be treated the same as a national from the country you want to study in. In this case, if German students have to pay tuition fees, you have to as well.

• I'm French and would like to study in Ireland. As Irish universities don't charge tuition fees to Irish nationals, am I also entitled to an exemption?

  YES - Under EU law, all EU nationals are entitled to use a host country's education system on the same terms as its own nationals. In this case, this means that French nationals should be treated the same as Irish students as regards tuition fees.

• My university in Scotland is charging me (I'm English) higher fees than it's charging locals from Scotland, and students from other EU countries. Isn't this a case of discrimination that the EU can help me with?

  NO - As this concerns the relationship between the United Kingdom and its own nationals, it is a purely internal situation and has no connection with European law.

Maintenance grants and loans

• I'm Czech and have been living in the UK since I was 12. I'd like to go to university here but can only afford it if I get a grant. Who should I ask for one - the Czech or British authorities?

  The British authorities - EU governments have to give the same support to foreign nationals (EU citizens) who are permanent residents as they do to their own nationals. Permanent residence means 5 years' continuous residence.

  So if you've been living in the UK for 5 years or more on the date your course starts, you'll be eligible for the same maintenance grant as British students.

• I'm Polish, have just finished my undergraduate degree in Poland and now want to study for a Master's in France. Am I entitled to get a study grant from either Poland or France?

  MAYBE - EU governments aren't obliged to provide grants or loans to students from other EU countries. Likewise, they aren't obliged to support their own nationals if they choose to study abroad.

  These decisions are entirely at the discretion of the governments concerned: some countries' maintenance grants restrict their citizens' ability to study abroad.

  Contact the authorities in both countries to find out what help they're willing to give you.

• Will I lose my maintenance grant from my government if I go abroad to study?

  POSSIBLY - Your government can choose whether to give you a maintenance grant if you go abroad to study: ask them what their rules are on that.

  However, if your government does give support, it must ensure the eligibility rules don't create an unjustified restriction on your freedom of movement.

Recognition of academic qualifications

• I have a degree from Holland and would like to continue my studies in Spain. However, the university there is refusing to recognise my Dutch qualification as equivalent to the Spanish one normally required for admission to the course I want to follow. Can you help?

  POSSIBLY - Recognition of academic qualifications is the exclusive responsibility of national governments. The European Commission can only intervene if:

  • a refusal to recognise a qualification constitutes discrimination on grounds of nationality
  • disproportionately long or costly procedures can be interpreted as restricting your freedom of movement.

  The ENIC-NARIC centre in the host country (a Europe-wide academic recognition network) may be able to help by contacting its counterpart in your country.

Where to start

• Do I need any specific skills to be a volunteer?

  NO - The programme is open to everyone. You'll also receive specific training before you go.

• I want to volunteer abroad.  Where can I find information and support?

  Contact your national agency or your regional SALTO resource centre, for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, South East Europe and the Euro-Mediterranean region.

  You can also check the website of the European Voluntary Service and the guide to the European Voluntary Service.

• I want to volunteer in Spain, do I need to speak Spanish?

  NO - Unless a basic knowledge is specifically required for the tasks that need to be done. Linguistic support will be available to you during your project, so you'll certainly learn some Spanish while you're there.

Next steps after finding your project

• Do I need insurance?

  If you volunteer, you are entitled to specific free insurance. Ask your sending organisation for the details.

• I want to go somewhere in Asia. Do I need a visa?

  Participating in a volunteering project does not exempt you from following national visa regulations. Make sure you do your research!

• What if I don't enjoy my project - can I quit?

  If your situation is very difficult and your problems can't be solved, there are ways of terminating your volunteering agreement - as a last resort.

• Will I need to pay anything to participate in a volunteering project?

  NO - Participation is free for the volunteer.

Still need help?