Planning an internship abroad takes months of preparation. Your signed placement agreement, visa, accommodation and insurance all need to be in order before you board. Get organised early and you will avoid last-minute hold-ups, leaving with complete peace of mind.
Finding the right placement: the approach that works
Start by defining two parameters: the professional field you are targeting and your preferred geographic area. Platforms such as ErasmusIntern.org, GoAbroad and LinkedIn list thousands of opportunities across every sector. Your university or college careers office is also a valuable resource: it has established relationships with partner companies and can help get your placement formally validated.
A few practical points:
- Tailor your CV to local standards (Europass format in Europe, a one-page resume in the United States)
- Write a concise cover letter focused on what you bring to the company
- Prepare for video interviews with a potential time-zone difference
Start your search at least six months before your intended departure date. If Europe appeals, our guide to European destinations for this summer may spark some ideas.
Placement agreement: the document that starts everything
The tripartite placement agreement (intern, institution and host company) is the starting point for any international placement. Without it, the other steps, including your visa, group insurance and financial support, cannot move forward.
For placements outside the European Union, your institution’s international relations office will generally need to validate the agreement alongside the standard careers office. Factor in this additional processing time.
Visa and residence permits: planning ahead by destination
The situation varies depending on where you are going:
Within the European Union: as a French national, no visa is required. A valid national identity card or passport is sufficient in almost all member states.
Outside the European Union: each country sets its own requirements. Applications are submitted to the relevant embassy or consulate and generally require a valid passport, the company’s acceptance letter, proof of financial means and an insurance certificate. Processing times range from a few weeks to several months, so do not underestimate this step.
Funding your internship abroad
Several schemes can help reduce the cost of your placement:
Erasmus+ grant: this programme funds both internships and study periods in participating European countries and certain partner countries. The monthly amount generally ranges from €300 to €700 depending on your destination. The grant can be combined with a means-tested bursary and with the International Mobility Grant (AMI). Contact your institution’s international relations office for the exact amounts that apply to your situation.
International Mobility Grant (AMI): a supplementary grant paid by the CNOUS to grant-holding students undertaking international mobility. It can be combined with the Erasmus+ grant.
Regional and institutional support: many regions and some cities top up national funding. Your institution is the best first port of call to identify these.
Covering your health and risks abroad
This is often the most overlooked part of the preparation, right up until a hospital bill abroad lands in your lap.
In the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland: the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you access to public healthcare at the same rates as local residents. Request it from your health insurance fund a few weeks before departure. Bear in mind that it does not cover repatriation or personal liability, so check your policy accordingly.
Outside these areas: international health insurance is essential. It should cover medical expenses and hospitalisation, medical repatriation and personal liability. In some countries, it is even a condition for obtaining a visa: in the United States, the J-1 visa for interns requires insurance that meets specific criteria.
Your institution may offer group insurance, but verify that it covers your exact destination and the full duration of your placement before relying on it.
Get my internship insurance quoteSecuring accommodation before you arrive
Do not leave accommodation to the last minute. The most common options are:
- Company-provided housing: ask as soon as your placement is confirmed. Some companies have residential partnerships.
- Student residences: sometimes available to interns, even without a local enrolment
- Flat shares via local or general platforms
- Airbnb for the first few weeks, while you find a permanent solution on the ground
Contact your host company as soon as the placement is confirmed: they usually know the most practical accommodation options for interns.
Planning your budget: costs to anticipate
List every foreseeable expense:
- Return travel and local transport
- Accommodation (deposit and rent)
- Food and day-to-day expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visa and administrative fees
- Activities and cultural experiences
Set aside a contingency fund for the unexpected: a delayed payment, an urgent repair or a last-minute flight change.
Language and the culture of your host country
Even if your placement is conducted in English, a few hours spent on the local language before you leave will transform your daily life once you arrive. Apps like Duolingo or Babbel allow you to make steady progress. For a stay of several months, an intensive language course before departure is a worthwhile investment.
An international internship is also an invitation to understand a culture from the inside. A thought we explore further in travel to understand, not just to see.
Documents to take with you: the pre-departure checklist
Before you zip up your suitcase, make sure you have:
- Valid passport (check the validity period required by your destination country)
- Visa or residence permit if required
- Signed placement agreement (original and digital copy)
- Insurance certificate (health, repatriation and personal liability)
- EHIC if travelling within the EU or EEA
- Acceptance letter or employment contract from the company
- Copies of your degree certificates and transcripts
- Contact details for the company, your HR contact and your accommodation
- Your insurer’s emergency number (save it in your phone)
Keep digital copies of all these documents in a cloud storage space accessible from your phone.
FAQ
Is the EHIC enough for an internship abroad?
The EHIC covers urgent medical care in European Union countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, at public establishments and at local rates. It does not cover repatriation or personal liability. For comprehensive cover, a supplementary travel insurance policy is recommended depending on your destination and your existing contract.
Does the Erasmus+ grant also fund internships?
Yes. The Erasmus+ grant covers both study periods and internships in participating European countries and certain partner countries. The monthly amount generally ranges from €300 to €700 depending on your destination. Contact your institution’s international relations office for the exact amounts and application deadlines.
What documents are needed to obtain an internship visa?
Documents typically required include: a valid passport, the company’s acceptance letter, proof of financial means, an insurance certificate and, depending on the country, the placement agreement. Requirements vary by country: check with the relevant embassy or consulate well in advance, as processing can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Is a placement agreement required for an internship abroad?
Yes, for a formal placement. The tripartite agreement signed by the intern, the institution and the host company is the foundation document for all other procedures. Without it, financial support (Erasmus+, AMI) and your institution’s group insurance generally cannot be activated.
How do you find accommodation for an internship abroad?
Start by asking your host company: some offer housing or have partnerships with residences. Your institution may also have local contacts. General platforms can work for the first few weeks while you find a flat share on the ground.
