Study in Portugal

Historic universities, mild climate, and moderate costs

Portugal offers respected universities and polytechnic institutes, verified through DGES/A3ES, a welcoming culture, and a mild climate, with a growing range of English-taught master's programmes and comparatively moderate living costs.

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Main intake
September mainMain intake
Status
EU member stateStatus
Teaching languages
Portuguese / EnglishTeaching languages
Student residence route
AIMA Article 91Student residence route

Country overview

Studying in Portugal

Portugal is an EU member state with historic and modern universities and polytechnic institutes, both public and private. English-taught programmes are growing, particularly at master's level, while many bachelor's (licenciatura) programmes are taught in Portuguese. Degrees follow the Bologna structure, and DGES coordinates foreign qualification recognition while the admitting institution retains responsibility for the actual admission decision.

Portugal is known for a mild climate, a welcoming culture, and moderate living costs compared with much of Western Europe. For non-EU applicants, the process runs through the institution's own 'international student' competition (concurso especial), not one national application system — always confirm details and the exact route directly with the university.

Immigration for non-EU students in Portugal runs through AIMA (the agency that replaced SEF), typically via a residence visa for study followed by a higher-education student residence permit under Article 91. This page gives general orientation only — always verify current rules with DGES and AIMA.

Capital
Lisbon
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Popular cities
Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Braga
Main intake
Autumn (Sep/Oct); international application phases can start earlier
Teaching languages
Portuguese and English (programme-dependent)
Application route
Institution's international student competition, then AIMA

Why study here

Reasons students choose Portugal

Historic universities

Portugal has long-established universities alongside modern polytechnic institutes, all verifiable through DGES/A3ES.

Moderate costs

Tuition and living costs are generally moderate compared with much of Western Europe.

Mild climate & culture

A mild climate, coastline, and welcoming culture make Portugal a comfortable study base.

Growing English-taught offer

English-taught programmes are increasingly available, especially at master's level.

Work rights linked to study

AIMA allows higher-education student residence holders to undertake employed or self-employed activity complementary to their studies, without a nationally fixed hour cap.

Education system

How the system is structured

Portuguese higher education is divided into university and polytechnic sectors, both public and private, and both following the Bologna three-cycle structure with the ECTS credit system. Verify a specific degree or institution through DGES/A3ES before applying — institution status is never a safe assumption.

Universities

Offer academic, research-oriented bachelor's (licenciatura), master's (mestrado), and doctoral programmes.

Polytechnic institutes

Deliver more applied, profession-oriented programmes with practical components.

DGES-coordinated recognition

DGES coordinates foreign higher-education recognition (automatic, level, or specific routes), but the admitting institution makes the final admission decision.

ECTS credits

Programmes use ECTS: licenciatura typically 180–240 ECTS, mestrado commonly 90–120 ECTS (or integrated in some regulated fields).

Application routes

Pathways by study level

Requirements differ by level. Use the tabs to see typical entry expectations for each pathway.

Undergraduate degree

Bachelor's (Licenciatura)

Licenciatura programmes are more often taught in Portuguese, with some English-taught options, typically 180–240 ECTS.

Typical duration: 3–4 years

Typical entry requirements

  • Completed secondary education comparable to the Portuguese requirement
  • Language proof (Portuguese or English depending on the programme)
  • Admission under the institution's international student competition where applicable

Detailed guidance

Key pathways explained

These sections go deeper on pathways that need extra care. Always confirm the specifics with the university and the relevant authority.

Residence visa and AIMA Article 91 overview

This is a general overview of the steps many non-EU students follow in Portugal. Requirements, amounts, and procedures change and depend on nationality — always confirm with DGES and AIMA.

Before you travel

  • Secure admission via the specific institution's international student competition, after verifying accreditation through DGES/A3ES.
  • Apply for the residence visa for study if you are visa-required.
  • Prepare financial proof based on current statutory reference amounts, not an outdated euro figure.
  • Arrange accommodation evidence and travel/medical insurance for the entry stage.

After you arrive

  • Apply for the higher-education student residence permit under Article 91 through AIMA (qualifying visa-exempt students use a separate AIMA scheduling route instead).
  • Complete address registration, enrolment, and health/tax/bank steps as part of post-arrival formalities.
  • Note that AIMA's operational booking/submission channels can change faster than the underlying legal entitlement — track both separately.

Work, family, and after graduation

  • Higher-education student residence holders may undertake employed or self-employed activity complementary to their studies — there is no fixed 20-hours/week cap to assume.
  • Family reunification can be available subject to eligibility, support, housing, and documents; family work rights need a separate check.
  • AIMA has different post-study paths for graduates of the first cycle (bachelor's) versus the second/third cycle (master's/doctoral/research) — model your completed level rather than assuming one generic graduate visa.

Qualification requirements

What qualifications you typically need

Typical qualification requirements by study level in Portugal
Study levelTypical requirement
Bachelor's (Licenciatura)Secondary education assessed as comparable to the Portuguese standard, plus language proof; admission is often via the institution's international student competition.
Master's (Mestrado)A relevant bachelor's degree with competitive grades and language proof for the teaching language.
DoctoralA relevant master's degree, a supervisor or doctoral programme place, and a research proposal.

Language requirements

Proving your language ability

Both Portuguese- and English-taught programmes exist, and institutions set their own proof requirements — never assume one English-test score is accepted nationally. Portuguese matters for many bachelor's and professional-track programmes even where some courses are offered in English. Confirm accepted tests and scores with the institution.

English-taught programmes

IELTS Academic

Widely accepted for English-taught programmes; bands vary by programme.

TOEFL iBT

Commonly accepted as an alternative to IELTS.

Local-language programmes

Portuguese language proof

Required for Portuguese-taught programmes; levels vary by programme and are especially important for bachelor's and professional fields.

  • Some Portuguese helps with daily life even on English-taught programmes.
  • Minimum scores and accepted tests differ by programme — always verify directly.

Application process

A typical application, step by step

  1. Verify accreditation

    Confirm the institution and degree through DGES/A3ES before applying — a commercial listing is not proof of accreditation.

  2. Shortlist programmes

    Identify university or polytechnic programmes matching your background and teaching language.

  3. Check requirements and routes

    Confirm academic prerequisites, language proof, and the institution's specific international-student application phase.

  4. Apply under the international student competition

    Non-EU applicants commonly apply directly under the institution's own 'international student' (concurso especial) competition, not a single national portal.

  5. Receive an offer

    Await the institution's decision and any conditions before accepting.

  6. Arrange visa/residence steps

    Once admitted, use the resulting acceptance for the residence-visa/AIMA route promptly.

Visa process

Student visa overview

  1. Check your citizenship status

    EU/EEA/Swiss citizens generally do not need a student visa or residence permit in the same way as non-EU applicants, though registration formalities may still apply.

  2. Apply for the residence visa for study

    Visa-required non-EU students typically obtain a residence visa for study before travelling to Portugal.

  3. Prepare supporting documents

    Commonly includes the acceptance letter, passport, financial proof based on current statutory reference amounts, accommodation, and health insurance, though exact lists vary.

  4. Apply for the Article 91 residence permit

    After arrival, apply for the higher-education student residence permit under Article 91 through AIMA; visa-exempt qualifying students use a separate AIMA scheduling route instead.

  5. Complete post-arrival formalities

    Complete AIMA residence-permit/appointment formalities and any required address, enrolment, health, tax, or bank steps.

  6. Verify current rules officially

    AIMA's operational booking/submission channels can change faster than the underlying law — always confirm the current process with DGES and AIMA.

This is general guidance, not legal or admissions advice. Immigration rules, financial requirements, deadlines, and admission criteria for Portugal can change at any time and vary by university. Always verify the current requirements with the official government authorities and the specific university before you apply.

Required documents

Documents you are likely to need

  • Academic transcripts

    Certified copies of secondary or prior higher-education records, plus grading scale and Diploma Supplement where available.

  • Language test results

    English (IELTS/TOEFL) or Portuguese proof depending on the programme.

  • Passport

    Valid for the duration of study and travel.

  • University acceptance letter

    Official confirmation of admission from the institution, typically under the international student competition.

  • Financial proof

    Evidence based on current statutory reference amounts — do not rely on an old euro figure; check whether any higher-education-specific reduction applies.

  • Accommodation evidence

    Lease, dormitory, host, or booking evidence meeting the consular/AIMA form.

  • Health insuranceIf applicable

    Travel/medical coverage for entry; residence-stage coverage is a separate, later requirement.

Study categories

Popular fields of study

Engineering & technology

  • Informatics
  • Mechanical
  • Electrical
  • Civil

Business & economics

  • Management
  • Economics
  • International Business
  • Marketing

Sciences & health

  • Biology
  • Public Health
  • Marine Sciences
  • Biotechnology

Arts & humanities

  • Architecture
  • Design
  • Languages
  • History

Costs and funding

Budgeting your studies

International-student tuition is set by institutions and programmes and can differ substantially from domestic fee rules — patch exact figures from the specific institution, not a national constant. Living costs are generally moderate compared with much of Western Europe, but vary by city. Always confirm current figures with the university and official sources.

Tuition

Public universities
Institution-specific

International-student tuition can differ substantially from EU/domestic rates — verify per programme.

Private institutions
Institution-specific

Private universities set their own fees.

Living costs

Accommodation
Largest monthly cost

Lisbon and Porto are more expensive than smaller cities such as Coimbra and Braga.

Food & transport
Low–moderate

Smaller cities are generally more affordable than Lisbon/Porto.

Financial proof (immigration)
Based on current statutory reference amounts

Kept separate from your realistic living budget — do not hard-code an old euro figure.

Funding & scholarships

University scholarships

Some universities offer scholarships or fee reductions; availability varies and should be checked directly (DGES social-action grants generally do not automatically apply to the international-student entry regime).

Government/mobility programmes

Certain public and EU mobility schemes (e.g. Erasmus+, bilateral funding) may support eligible students; verify eligibility officially.

Part-time work

AIMA allows higher-education student residence holders to undertake employed or self-employed activity complementary to their studies — there is no fixed 20-hours/week national cap to assume.

Application timeline

Planning your year

12–18 months before

Eligibility & research

  • Verify accreditation via DGES/A3ES
  • Shortlist programmes and teaching language
  • Plan your budget

9–12 months before

Prepare

  • Sit language tests
  • Gather transcripts and documents, including any legalisation/translation
  • Research scholarships

6–9 months before

Apply

  • Apply under the institution's international-student competition
  • Track offers and conditions
  • Confirm tuition and deposit deadlines

3–6 months before

Finances & visa

  • Gather financial proof based on current statutory amounts
  • Arrange accommodation and health insurance
  • Apply for the residence visa for study if required

1–3 months before

Arrival prep

  • Book the AIMA Article 91 residence-permit appointment
  • Plan travel and arrival documents
  • Prepare for enrolment

Avoid these

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using a commercial listing instead of DGES/A3EES as proof of accreditation.
  • Assuming most bachelor's programmes are in English — many are taught in Portuguese.
  • Treating the institution's international student competition as one national application system.
  • Hard-coding an old euro figure for financial proof instead of checking the current statutory reference amount.
  • Assuming a fixed 20-hours/week work cap where Portuguese rules instead allow complementary employed or self-employed activity.
  • Assuming a single generic graduate visa exists instead of checking AIMA's separate post-study path for your specific study cycle (bachelor's vs. master's/doctoral).

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Portugal?

English-taught programmes are growing, especially at master's level, but many bachelor's programmes are in Portuguese — check each programme's teaching language.

How do non-EU applicants apply?

Non-EU applicants commonly apply directly under the specific institution's 'international student' competition (concurso especial), not through one central national application system — confirm the exact route with your chosen institution.

Is Portugal affordable for students?

Tuition and living costs are generally moderate compared with much of Western Europe, though Lisbon and Porto are more expensive than smaller cities like Coimbra and Braga.

Can I work while studying in Portugal?

AIMA allows higher-education student residence holders to undertake employed or self-employed activity complementary to their studies — there isn't a fixed national 20-hours/week limit to assume, so confirm the current interpretation with AIMA.

What is the AIMA Article 91 permit?

It's the higher-education student residence permit that non-EU students typically move to after arriving in Portugal on a residence visa for study, or via a separate scheduling route for qualifying visa-exempt students.

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This is general guidance, not legal or admissions advice. Immigration rules, financial requirements, deadlines, and admission criteria for Portugal can change at any time and vary by university. Always verify the current requirements with the official government authorities and the specific university before you apply.