Study In Portugal
With a history of higher education spanning several centuries, Portugal has a wealth of experience in providing high quality degree programmes. Partner that with the welcoming culture of the Portuguese people and the country becomes the perfect place for an international student to pursue a degree.
Cost of Studying and Living in Portugal
Portugal uses the Euro (€) as its currency.
Institutions in Portugal are highly supported by the government. This means that tuition fees are lower than some other European countries. Both public and private institutions are allowed to set their own tuition fees, but a public institution will be less expensive. If you study at a private university, you will most likely pay monthly fees, and at a public university you will most likely pay annual tuition fees. EU and international students should expect to pay between €950 and €1,250 per year for bachelors and masters degrees, and between €2,500 and €3,000 for doctorate degrees. You may be eligible for a scholarship, check with your institution for scholarships on offer.
It is recommended that you budget between €8,000 and €10,500 per year for living costs, but living in a bigger city such as Lisbon will make your living costs more expensive. If you choose to live in university accommodation, it will cost between €150 and €250 per month, with private accommodation costing around €400 per month.
EU students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term-time and full time during the holidays, so you may be able to supplement your living costs. This should not be relied on to finance your studies however. If you wish to get a job, some knowledge of the Portuguese language would be helpful.
Portuguese Student Visas
Depending on your home country, you may need to apply for a visa in order to study in Portugal.
If you are from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you will not need to obtain a visa. All you will need to have is your ID card. You should ensure that you have an EHIC card, to allow you access to the same healthcare as Portuguese citizens at the same rates. If you do not hold an EHIC card, you should make sure to acquire one before you travel to Portugal, otherwise you will have to pay for health insurance.
If you are from any other country, you will need to apply for a student visa. You can do this at the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country. To obtain a visa, you will need to provide several documents. These are; a valid passport, a completed application form, a letter of acceptance from a Portuguese institution, academic transcripts, passport photographs, proof of funds and a copy of your health insurance policy. If you do not have a health insurance policy, you need to purchase one before you apply for a visa. Your institution will be able to recommend appropriate insurance providers.
