The European Commission is currently running a consultation exercise to improve the implementation of European Student Card Initiative’s (ESCI) main tools, including Erasmus Without Paper, the Erasmus+ App and the European Student Card in the next Erasmus+ Programme (2028–2034). The aim is to identify priorities for each ESCI component and develop practical, sustainable solutions, while preserving what already works well. A strong focus is placed on enhancing how digital tools support mobility, institutional cooperation and the overall Erasmus+ experience. 

One element in this consultation is an online survey (open until 10 April 2026) designed to collect stakeholder input on the future of the ESCI. The results will be consolidated into a shared overview of stakeholder needs and proposed solutions. Findings will be presented at a dedicated conference in Brussels, Belgium on 11 June 2026. 

Alongside the consultation, the European Commission continues to test and refine ESCI tools through targeted pilot activities.  

One example is the European Student Card (ESC) Verifiable Credentials Pilot, designed to explore how the ESC could evolve into a fully digital, verifiable credential. The pilot tested a model where student status is issued as a secure digital credential: higher education institutions act as trusted issuers, while students store and share their credentials via digital wallets when needed. 

This pilot provides concrete insights that feed directly into the broader consultation process and help shape the future development of ESCI. Readers interested in the more technical aspects of the pilot, including detailed implementation insights, are encouraged to consult the full report.