Study in Portugal
Verified essentialsSouthern Europe · Official language: Portuguese · Last updated 2026-06-01
One of the more affordable Western European options, with a mild climate and a growing tech sector in Lisbon and Porto.
Public tuition
Official€3,000–€7,000 per year for non-EU students
Private tuition
Estimate€4,000–€12,000 per year
Living cost
Estimate€650–€1000 per month
Financial proof
OfficialRoughly €8,500 per year
Work while studying
Official20 hours per week
After graduation
Official12-month job-search permit
Intakes
OfficialSeptember · February
Visa type
OfficialNational study visa
English-taught availability
GuidanceModerate
How to read this page
- OfficialPublished by the authority that sets the rule. Confirm the current figure on the source before acting.
- EstimateA planning figure built from ranges and typical student spending. Not a quotation and not policy.
The full Portugal hub — admissions, visa steps, city costs and student life — is being written. The figures above are verified essentials; confirm them on the official immigration and university portals before making decisions.
Admission process
How do international students get admitted in Portugal?
Non-EU students apply under the Estatuto do Estudante Internacional directly to each university, usually in two or three rounds between March and July.
- 1
Apply under the international student statute
This route is separate from the national competition for Portuguese students and has its own seats, criteria and calendar at each university.
- 2
Check the subject entry exams
Universities specify which secondary-school subjects must be evidenced; many accept Class 12 marks in the required subjects instead of Portuguese national exams.
- 3
Prove language level
Portuguese B2 for Portuguese-taught degrees (most Bachelor's), IELTS 6.0–6.5 for English-taught Master's.
- 4
Legalise and translate documents
Apostilled and translated transcripts are required at enrolment, along with recognition of your qualification through the DGES.
- 5
Enrol and apply for the visa
Pay the enrolment fee, then apply for the national student visa with proof of accommodation and roughly €760 per month of support.
What quietly costs students an intake in Portugal
- Applying to only the first round and missing that later rounds have fewer seats.
- Assuming Bachelor's degrees are English-taught — most are not.
Review category: Admission requirements · next review due 2027-08-24
Official sources
- Study in Portugal — DGES Ministry
Always confirm current requirements with the official source before acting. Figures labelled as estimates are planning aids, not policy.
Deadlines, portals and recognition bodies above are set by the authorities linked here. The sequencing advice and the mistakes list are our counselling judgement from working these files — useful, but not policy. Always confirm the current deadline on the programme page before you plan around it.
Scholarships
Funding relevant to Portugal
Trust
Sources and verification
Status is derived, not declared: a record with no attached primary source is never shown as verified, and records past their review date are flagged for re-checking.
Review category: Visa rules · next review due 2026-12-01
No primary source is attached to the Portugal record yet, so we do not present it as verified. Treat the figures as a starting point for your own checks.
Always confirm current requirements with the official source before acting. Figures labelled as estimates are planning aids, not policy.
Thinking seriously about Portugal?
Bring your marks, budget and target intake. We will map realistic options with you — no obligation to sign up for anything.