The European Commission defines virtual mobility as a complement or a substitute to physical mobility (Erasmus or similar) in addition to a type of independent mobility which builds on the specific potentials of on-line learning and network communication.
It may prepare for and/or extend physical mobility, and/or offer new opportunities for students/academic staff who are unwilling or unable to take advantage of physical mobility.
It involves the development of virtual mobility for academic staff.
In virtual mobility schemes, full academic recognition is given to the students for studies and courses based on agreements for the evaluation, validation and recognition of acquired competences via virtual mobility. In this context, cooperation agreements are key to ensuring sustainable mobility schemes.
A shorter definition is "the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to obtain the same benefits as one would have with physical mobility but without the need to travel”.