Frequently Asked Questions

How long prior to the planned realisation of my proposed Erasmus+ STA teaching mobility must I apply?
This depends primarily on your home institution’s requirements and application deadlines. A crucial factor is also whether or not preliminary contacts or arrangements already exist with colleagues from your field or an institute/department relevant to your field at the potential host institution and whether or not you are applying to repeat a prior Erasmus+ STA teaching mobility activity. Whatever the case, and as far as your potential host institution is concerned: the sooner, the better.

Must I extend a counter-invitation if I have carried out an Erasmus+ STA teaching mobility visit at a partner university?
In any case, the requirements of your home institution must be adhered to. As far as the mdw is concerned, reciprocity is not an obligation but certainly recommended.

Where can I find suitable lodgings in Vienna?
Should you require assistance, please approach your hosting colleague and/or hosting department at the mdw.

What is an A1 certificate?
The A1 certificate confirms that an employee posted in a foreign (EU) country is covered by social insurance should an authority in that foreign (EU) country conduct inspections. You are obligated to have this certificate with you during your Erasmus+ STA teaching mobility in order to present it in such cases. 

What do I do if I do not see my desired destination(s) on my home institution’s list of partner institutions?
Whether or not to cooperate with a given institution via Erasmus+ is a “strategic” decision made by your home institution and the mdw. Acceptance of a new partner typically requires considerable lead time. Regarding this, please contact the Erasmus+ coordinator at your home institution.

What does Erasmus+ STT staff training mobility mean?
Erasmus+ STT staff training mobility makes it possible for employees of a university-level institution to visit a foreign partner university (or other organisation or company) abroad for the purpose of continuing education and/or further training. Participants have the opportunity to engage in exchange concerning their own fields, make new contacts, and gather information. Staff training is often employed as a human resources development measure. This form of mobility is not intended to include teaching or research-related activities (such as participation in a conference).

What is a combined Erasmus+ STA/STT mobility visit?
Here, teaching at the host institution is combined with a further training measure (e.g., participation in a [field-specific] workshop, seminar, or other structured further training activity at the host institution). In this context, the teaching obligation is reduced by at least 4 units of instruction.

Can I carry out Erasmus+ STA teaching mobility activities approved for one academic year during a different academic year (such as the following year)? Is this possible at all?
This will depend on the decision made by your home institution and the mdw in your individual case. Please inform the international office at your home institution as soon as possible (and, if applicable, make contact with your hosting colleague at the mdw) if an Erasmus+ STA teaching mobility visit cannot take place as planned.

What should I do if I am unable to begin or forced to abort a planned Erasmus+ STA teaching mobility visit?
Please inform all involved individuals at your home and host institution (department head and/or office, international offices at your home institution and the mdw, colleagues from your field at the partner institution, and students [if applicable]) as soon as you possibly can. It will also be necessary to quickly take appropriate measures (e.g., cancellation of travel arrangements and/or accommodations) in order to minimise immediate costs.

What should I do if I am asked to do an inordinate amount of teaching?
Your Mobility Agreement should establish ahead of time just how many units of instruction you are to provide on how many days. This should conform to the minimum amounts specified by the Erasmus+ programme (= at least 8 units of instruction on at least two consecutive days). Should misunderstandings arise in spite of this, immediately contact the international offices at your home institution and at the mdw (provided you know your contact person at the latter).

What should I do if I fall ill in the host country during my Erasmus+ travels?
Highest priority, in any case, must be accorded to all measures that are necessary in order to restore your physical well-being. Should medical help, a hospital stay, and/or transport home become necessary, procure help from your contacts on location and document everything. Once you have recovered and returned home, your home institution will continue handling your case together with the appropriate experts.