India-EU Mobility Pact Explained: What uncapped mobility, post study work means for Indian students

New Delhi: India and the European Union have finalised a free trade agreement and signed a new mobility pact. The pact aims to make it easier for Indian students, workers and professionals to move, study and work across EU countries.

The signing of the agreement was done at the 16th India-EU Summit held on January 27, 2026, in New Delhi. Beyond trade and economics, education, skills and people-to-people movement are now being treated as one of the major pillars of India-EU relations.

One of the most significant highlights from the agreement is the EU’s commitment to 'uncapped mobility for Indian students.' This means there will be no fixed numerical limit on Indian students moving to EU countries for education and related opportunities.

As per officials, the mobility framework is designed to allow Indian learners easier access to study, research and work opportunities across EU member states, along with aligning with individual country policies.

Highlighting the broader vision behind the move, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated, 'Artificial intelligence is one of the best examples. So today, I'm glad to announce that we are working on India's association with Horizon Europe. Horizon is the world's largest public research programme and I can't wait for our best talents to get to work, to advance health, clean energy, frontier technologies. This will help researchers and start-ups, next generation technology.'

'Signing a mobility agreement, we will facilitate the movement of students, researchers. It will be a one stop hub to support Indian talent, moving to Europe in full alignment with your Member States' needs and policies,' Von der Leyen further added.

The agreement includes the conclusion of the India-EU Comprehensive Framework of Cooperation on Mobility. According to the joint statement,' They welcomed the conclusion of the India-EU Comprehensive Framework of Cooperation on Mobility, in line with the national competences of EU Member States and India and domestic legislation of both Parties.'

A key operational step is the launch of a pilot European Legal Gateway Office. 'They commended the launch of the first pilot European Legal Gateway Office, as a one-stop hub to provide information and support the movement of workers, starting with the ICT sector.'

This office is expected to help Indian professionals to better understand legal pathways and employment opportunities in Europe.

The statement also stresses the importance of orderly and legal migration. 'They reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing collaboration on safe, regular and orderly migration including through circular pathways for highly skilled workers, students, researchers and seasonal workers in shortage occupations, whilst also strengthening cooperation on countering irregular migration, in accordance with national competences and the law of both Parties.'

For Indian students graduating from EU institutions, the mobility pact also creates a clear education-to-employment pathway. Indian young professionals completing their studies in Europe will now have a guaranteed window of at least 9 to 12 months to seek employment.

By integrating Indian talent into the European workforce at an early stage the framework is expected to strengthen long-term economic links. Experts noted that this early workforce exposure will support a rise in knowledge-based services exports back to India.

To support long-term cooperation, India and the EU plan to launch a formal Education and Skills Dialogue in 2026.'Aspiring to deepen educational and academic collaboration, the two sides agreed to launch Education and Skills Dialogue in 2026 to promote skills development, facilitate recognition of qualifications and learning periods abroad, and support systemic collaboration in higher and vocational education.'

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The agreement also highlights programmes such as Erasmus+, Erasmus Mundus, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and India’s SPARC scheme to boost exchanges and research collaboration.

Additionally, both sides aim to support joint programmes, satellite campuses, vocational training and easier recognition of qualifications.