Erasmus packing guide

Pack once, pack right. This guide covers what actually matters for a semester abroad — the paperwork you cannot replace, the gear that saves you money, and the things not worth the baggage allowance.

Documents (carry-on, never checked)

•Passport or ID valid for the whole stay — plus a photocopy and a phone scan
•Visa / residence permit paperwork and your acceptance letter
•Signed Learning Agreement and any grant documents
•EHIC card or private health insurance policy
•Passport photos (many host universities and city halls still ask for them)
•Debit/credit cards, plus a little local cash

Clothing

•Layers beat bulk — one warm coat, several thin layers
•One smart outfit for presentations, welcome dinners and photos
•Comfortable walking shoes; you will walk far more than at home
•Sportswear if you plan to join a university club
•A compact rain jacket or umbrella

Electronics

•Travel adapter for your host country's sockets (Type C/F/G differ across Europe)
•Laptop, charger and a spare phone cable
•Power bank for travel days
•

Health & toiletries

•Prescription medication for the full stay, in original packaging with a doctor's note
•A small first-aid kit: painkillers, plasters, cold medicine
•Glasses/contact lenses spare pair and prescription
•Buy bulky toiletries locally — do not fly shampoo across Europe

Dorm & everyday

•Reusable water bottle and a tote bag
•Towel and basic bedding if your accommodation doesn't provide them
•A padlock for shared lockers or luggage
•Something small from home for your room — it helps in week three

Leave at home

•Heavy textbooks — the host library or PDFs will cover you
•Full-size hairdryers and kitchen gear; buy second-hand there
•More than a week of clothes you won't wear
•Valuables you'd be devastated to lose

A last-minute rule of thumb

If you can buy it within a 10-minute walk of your new home for under €20, leave it. Use the space for documents, medication and the things that are genuinely hard to replace abroad.