The internationalization of higher education has been a major concern in the last decades for a variety of reasons. This concern has been addressed by policymakers in a number of ways, most commonly through increased international partnerships and recruitment of international students. Much of the underlying motivation for internationalization is underpinned by a desire for raising European universities’ financial and/or academic position. This article argues that it is advantageous for all to develop internationalization policies in a creative, equal and reciprocal manner, focusing on the concept of ‘intercultural dialogue’. Through the consideration of policy documents of three higher education institutions in Spain, Sweden and the UK, we identify opportunities for developing an intercultural dialogue approach to internationalization. Finally, a conceptual framework is proposed through which internationalization could be related to intercultural dialogue in universities.