Spain Tops as Germany’s Favorite Exchange Destination for Students

Spain is the number one destination for exchange students from Germany. According to an analysis published in Gütersloh by the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE). Spain was named the most frequent partner country of German universities. - AFP

Spain continues to be the most popular destination for German exchange students, according to an analysis released Wednesday in Gütersloh by the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE). The study found that Spain was the most frequently named partner country of German universities, followed by the United States and France.

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Between 2022 and 2024, more than 1,800 academic departments at a total of 231 universities in Germany were surveyed. At 198 universities, there was at least one student exchange program with a corresponding institution in Spain. The United States followed, being cited by 182 universities as a destination for German exchange students, with France close behind at 181 universities.

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The findings align with current figures from the EU’s Erasmus program, which supports the exchange of students, trainees, teachers, and young people across Europe. In the 2023 academic year, more than 7,500 German Erasmus students chose Spain for a study abroad stay. This places Spain clearly at the top of the ranking, ahead of France with 5,700 students, Italy with 4,400, and Sweden with 2,600.

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