Universities · Courses · Scholarships · Visas
Study in Portugal
Portuguese and English-taught degrees at universities such as University of Lisbon and University of Porto – with guidance on applications, student visas, costs and student life in Portugal.
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- Region
- Europe
- Capital
- Lisbon
- Currency
- EUR
- Language
- Portuguese
Why Study in Portugal?
Planning to study in Portugal?
Explore universities, courses and scholarships, then start your journey with Application Abroad.
Start My Journey →Reasons international students consider Portugal:
- Historic universities – The University of Coimbra dates back to 1290.
- Mild climate and coast – Sunshine, beaches and a relaxed lifestyle.
- Growing tech scene – Lisbon and Porto have active start-up scenes.
- Culture and food – Fado, historic towns and great food.
Portugal is an EU member state on the Atlantic coast, known for its mild climate, historic cities and welcoming culture. The University of Coimbra is one of Europe’s oldest, and universities in Lisbon and Porto offer many English-taught programmes.
This guide covers the education system, how to apply, student visas, the costs to plan for and student life in Portugal. Fees, visa rules and entry requirements change, so always confirm the latest details with the university and official government sources.
Reasons to Study in Portugal
- 01
Historic universities
The University of Coimbra dates back to 1290.
- 02
Mild climate and coast
Sunshine, beaches and a relaxed lifestyle.
- 03
Growing tech scene
Lisbon and Porto have active start-up scenes.
- 04
Culture and food
Fado, historic towns and great food.
Process to Study in Portugal
From counselling to your first day at university
International students usually apply directly to the university through its admissions office or online portal. You will normally need your previous certificates and transcripts (with certified translations into Portuguese and English if issued in another language), a copy of your passport and, for some programmes, an entrance exam, interview or portfolio. Foreign qualifications may need to be recognised as equivalent before or after admission.
Choose a programme and university
Compare programmes at universities in Portugal such as University of Lisbon and University of Porto. Check the teaching language and that the institution is recognised.
Check entry requirements
Confirm the academic and language requirements, any entrance exams, and whether your qualifications need to be recognised.
Prepare your documents
Gather certificates, transcripts and your passport, with certified translations into Portuguese and English where required.
Apply to the university
Apply through the university’s admissions office, online portal or the national application system before the deadline.
Receive your admission letter
Keep your official admission letter – you will need it for your visa or study permit.
Apply for your visa or study permit
If you are from outside the EU/EEA, apply for your visa or residence permit for study at the embassy or consulate of Portugal responsible for you.
Plan funds and accommodation
Arrange your finances, health insurance and accommodation, and check vaccination requirements.
Travel and register
Travel to Portugal, complete university registration and any residence formalities after arrival.
Required Documents to Study in Portugal
Documents can vary by university, course and application route. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant institution.
Academic certificates and transcriptsUsually required
School-leaving certificate and, for postgraduate study, your degree certificate and transcripts.
Certified copies and translations into Portuguese and English may be required.
Valid passportUsually required
Needed for your application, visa and registration.
Ideally valid for your whole stay.
Admission letterUsually required
The official offer or admission letter from your university.
Needed for the visa or study permit.
Proof of financial meansCommonly requested
Bank statements, a sponsor’s letter or a scholarship award letter.
The authorities decide what is accepted.
Language certificateDepends on your situation
Proof of proficiency in the language of instruction.
Depends on the programme and your previous education.
Health insuranceCommonly requested
Proof of health insurance valid for your stay.
Some countries or universities require a specific scheme.
Recognition of qualificationsDepends on your situation
Confirmation that your foreign qualifications are equivalent to local ones.
Your university will tell you if this is needed.
Passport photosCommonly requested
Recent photos in the required format.
Popular Cities in Portugal
Explore cities with universities in Portugal.
Lisbon
The capital and largest university city.
Porto
A historic city in the north.
Coimbra
A classic university town.
End-to-End Admissions Guidance
Application Abroad helps you plan every step of studying in Portugal:
Admission and visa decisions are made by universities and the authorities – we never guarantee an outcome.
- Shortlisting universities and programmes, including University of Lisbon and University of Porto
- Checking entry, language and qualification-recognition requirements
- Preparing certificates, translations and application documents
- Submitting applications and following up with admissions offices
- Preparing your student visa or study permit documents
- Pre-departure planning: accommodation, health insurance and travel
Free Counselling
In person or online, to understand your goals, budget and options.
Country, University & Course Selection
Shortlist universities and courses in Portugal that fit your profile.
Standardized Test Preparation
Guidance on the English and admissions tests your courses ask for.
Application & Admission Assistance
Help preparing, submitting and tracking your applications.
SOP, LOR & Documentation
Support with statements of purpose, recommendation letters and documents.
Scholarship & Internship Assistance
Help exploring scholarships, funding and internship options.
Overseas Education Loan Assistance
Guidance on education loan options and paperwork.
Visa Processing
Help preparing your student visa application and documents.
Remittance, Forex & Accommodation
Support with money transfers, currency exchange and finding a place to live.
Pre-departure Guidance
Briefings on travel, arrival and settling in Portugal.
Language and Exams for Portugal
Language tests and admissions exams that may be relevant for Portugal.
For Portuguese-taught programmes, applicants who do not speak Portuguese may need to show proficiency – for example with a CAPLE certificate – or complete a Portuguese language course first. For English-taught programmes, applicants whose previous education was not in English may be asked for IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or a similar test, or to take the university’s own English test. Some programmes also have their own entrance exams or aptitude tests.
Exam preparation
Coaching institutes can help you prepare for the language tests and entrance exams that universities in Portugal may ask for.
Why Choose Portugal as an International Student?
Portugal suits international students looking for historic universities, mild climate and coast and growing tech scene. The University of Coimbra is one of Europe’s oldest, and universities in Lisbon and Porto offer many English-taught programmes.
Student life
Student life centres on campus clubs, sports teams, cultural and faith associations and student unions. Popular student cities include Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra. Fado, historic towns and great food.
Support for international students
Contact the university’s international or admissions office for help with admission letters, visa documents, registration and accommodation. Many universities have international student associations, and your country’s embassy can also help.
Before travelling, arrange health insurance, check vaccination requirements and read your government’s travel advice for Portugal.
Working while studying
Students from the EU/EEA can generally work without restrictions. Students from outside the EU/EEA can usually work a limited number of hours alongside their studies under the conditions of their residence permit – check the current limits with the immigration authority before taking a job.
After graduation
Graduates from outside the EU/EEA may be able to extend their residence to look for work after graduation, or switch to a work permit once they have a job offer – in most EU countries this includes the EU Blue Card for highly qualified workers. Rules and durations differ, so check the current options with the immigration authority.
Costs of Studying and Living in Portugal
Tuition fees
Set by each university per year
EU/EEA and international students may pay different fees.
Application and registration fees
Set by each university one-time
Check the university’s admissions page.
Student visa or study permit
Set by the government per application
Confirm with the embassy or immigration authority.
Accommodation
Varies by city and housing type per month
On-campus places are limited.
Living costs
Varies by city and lifestyle per month
Lisbon is usually the most expensive city.
Health insurance
Varies by provider per year
Some universities or permits require it.
Tuition fees
At public universities, students from the EU/EEA normally pay the same fees as local students, while students from outside the EU/EEA may pay higher international fees. Private universities set their own fees.
Always check current fees on the university’s official website or with its admissions office before applying, and ask what is included (registration, examinations, materials).
Living costs
Living costs depend on the city and your lifestyle; Lisbon is usually the most expensive place to live in Portugal. Budget for accommodation, food, local transport, health insurance, study materials and visa or residence permit fees.
If your visa or permit application requires proof of funds, the amount is set by the authorities – confirm the current requirement with the embassy or immigration authority.
Accommodation
Some universities offer on-campus halls of residence, but places are often limited, so ask the international or admissions office about housing as soon as you are admitted. Many students rent shared flats or rooms privately near campus.
Arrange temporary accommodation for your first weeks, view private housing before paying a deposit, and ask for a written rental agreement.
Visa to Study in Portugal
Citizens of the EU/EEA and Switzerland do not need a student visa for Portugal – they register their residence after arrival if they stay longer than three months. Students from other countries usually need a national long-stay visa and/or a residence permit for study, applied for at the embassy or consulate of Portugal responsible for their place of residence, using the admission letter from their university.
Typical requirements include a valid passport, the admission letter, proof of funds, health insurance or a medical certificate where required and passport photos. Requirements, fees and processing times vary by nationality, so always confirm them with the official authority.
Always confirm current visa requirements with the official government or immigration source.
Language Requirements to Study in Portugal
Programmes are taught in Portuguese, with a growing number of programmes in English.
For Portuguese-taught programmes, applicants who do not speak Portuguese may need to show proficiency – for example with a CAPLE certificate – or complete a Portuguese language course first. For English-taught programmes, applicants whose previous education was not in English may be asked for IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or a similar test, or to take the university’s own English test.
Minimum scores and accepted tests are set by each university and programme – check the admission requirements for your course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Ask Application Abroad →
Can international students study in Portugal?
Yes. Universities in Portugal such as University of Lisbon and University of Porto admit international students. Entry requirements, places and fees vary by university and programme, so check the admission requirements for your course.
What language are university programmes taught in Portugal?
Programmes are taught in Portuguese, with a growing number of programmes in English. For Portuguese-taught programmes, applicants who do not speak Portuguese may need to show proficiency – for example with a CAPLE certificate – or complete a Portuguese language course first. For English-taught programmes, applicants whose previous education was not in English may be asked for IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or a similar test, or to take the university’s own English test.
Do I need a visa to study in Portugal?
Citizens of the EU/EEA and Switzerland do not need a student visa for Portugal – they register their residence after arrival if they stay longer than three months. Students from other countries usually need a national long-stay visa and/or a residence permit for study, applied for at the embassy or consulate of Portugal responsible for their place of residence, using the admission letter from their university.
How much does it cost to study in Portugal?
Tuition fees are set by each university and often differ for national, regional and international students; living costs depend on the city, with Lisbon usually the most expensive. Check current fees with the university before applying.
Can I work while studying in Portugal?
Students from the EU/EEA can generally work without restrictions. Students from outside the EU/EEA can usually work a limited number of hours alongside their studies under the conditions of their residence permit – check the current limits with the immigration authority before taking a job.
Planning to study in Portugal?
Explore universities, courses, scholarships and other study-abroad options — then take the next step with Application Abroad.
Study in Portugal
Start My Journey →