Study in Portugal

Who this applies to

International students at Portuguese universities. Apply directly to each institution; Portuguese-dominant with a growing English offering. Non-EU students pay under the 'estudante internacional' statute.

Governing authority

DGES (Directorate-General for Higher Education). Application: per-university (public universities run a special international-student competition + the national competition for EU students).

Degree system

Licenciatura (Bachelor) 3 yrs · Mestrado (Master) 2 yrs · Doutoramento (PhD) 3–4 yrs. Bologna-aligned.

Admission

How

EU students via the national 'Concurso Nacional de Acesso'; non-EU via each university's 'Estatuto do Estudante Internacional' (international student statute) admission. Recognized secondary diploma; some courses have entrance requirements.

Language

Bachelor's largely Portuguese (proficiency needed); growing number of English-taught Master's (IELTS/TOEFL).

Tuition Per Year Eur

Eu Eea

Low — typically ~€700–€1,500/yr at public universities (the 'propina').

Non Eu International Statute

~€3,000–€8,000/yr at public universities (set per university).

Private

~€3,500–€12,500/yr.

Source

Times Higher Education; study.eu; educations.com

Student visa & residence permit

Non-EU: student visa (residence visa for study) at the Portuguese consulate, then residence permit via AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo — successor to SEF); proof of funds + enrolment.

Scholarships

Camões Institute scholarships; university scholarships; Erasmus+; bilateral (esp. with Lusophone countries).

Sources & references

• tuition (intl) — https://www.timeshighereducation.com/counsellor/admissions-processes-and-funding/studying-portugal-everything-your-students-need-know (2026-06-11)
• tuition range — https://www.study.eu/country/portugal (2026-06-11)