How to study in Portugal as an international student?
To study in Portugal as an international student, the process is generally straightforward if you handle admissions and immigration in the right order. Here is the practical sequence most students follow.
1) Choose a program and shortlist institutions
Portugal’s higher education system includes universities and polytechnics, and you can filter by city, public/private status, and study cycle using DGES’s official “Search for Courses and Higher Education Institutions” tool.
If you want english-taught programs, start by checking each university’s “Study in English” pages (for example, ULisboa lists full programs and courses taught entirely in English; Coimbra highlights master’s and PhD options taught in English in specific frameworks).
2) Confirm which admissions route applies to you (EU vs non-EU)
DGES distinguishes EU applicants (who typically access under the same conditions as Portuguese nationals) from non-EU applicants, who often apply under the International Student framework for 1st cycle (bachelor/licenciatura) and integrated master’s.
3) Check admission requirements and gather documents
Requirements vary by institution and program, but for international applicants DGES notes the baseline logic: you must hold a secondary diploma that grants access to higher education in the country where it was issued (or an equivalent pathway).
Typically, you’ll need:
- Diploma + transcripts
- Proof of language (Portuguese or English, depending on the course)
- Valid Passport/ID
- Any program-specific prerequisites (e.g., portfolios, exams, interviews)
4) Apply (and track deadlines)
- For many bachelor’s/integrated master’s routes (non-EU), you apply under the international student access rules described by DGES, then follow each institution’s timeline and submission platform.
- For master’s/PhD, it is common to apply directly to the university/faculty (each has its own call and document list).
5) Plan your tuition fees, then look for financial support
For public higher education in 2026-2027, DGES froze the maximum annual tuition fees cap is €697 for CTeSP, licenciatura, and integrated master’s (and certain regulated master’s scenarios).
For financial support and scholarships, Portugal has a national study-grant pathway (bolsa de estudo). The government portal notes that applicants are typically enrolled in eligible cycles with at least 30 ECTS (with exceptions in some cases).
6) Budget your living costs (housing usually decides the city)
Portugal can still be affordable education compared to many destinations, but living costs, especially accommodation, often drive the real cost.
Two useful reference points:
- Reports notes an average room price around €415/month.
- An EU “fi-compass” report cites student halls generally around €150-€250/month (with other housing types varying widely by city).
7) If you’re non-EU, apply for the correct visa (before traveling)
Portugal’s official visa portal explains that a residency visa (national visa) allows two entries and is valid for 4 months, during which you must proceed with the residence-permit process after arrival.
You will also need to show documentation such as means of subsistence (proof you can support yourself) per the official “Necessary Documentation” guidance.
8) After arrival: start the residence-permit steps (AIMA)
Universities commonly advise non-EU students to book an appointment with AIMA soon after arrival to apply for the residence permit for study.
How is the enrollment process in Portuguese Universities for immigrants?
General requirements
International students, including non-EU nationals, must meet specific requirements to apply:
Academic Qualifications:
- For undergraduate programs: A secondary school diploma equivalent to Portuguese qualifications.
- For postgraduate programs: A bachelor’s or master’s degree, depending on the desired program.
- Entrance Exams: Undergraduate applicants may need to pass entrance exams. Non-EU students often take these exams in their home country via Portuguese embassies or consulates.
Language Proficiency:
- Portuguese-taught programs: A B2-level proficiency (CEFR) is required.
- English-taught programs: Proof of English proficiency via IELTS (5.5–6.5), TOEFL (80), or equivalent.
- CPLP nationals may use national qualifications like the ENEM for admission.
ENEM access for Brazilian students in Portugal
For Brazilian students, Portugal offers a unique advantage: acceptance of ENEM scores (Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio) for admission to several universities. This process streamlines enrollment and makes higher education in Portugal more accessible to Brazilians.
How does ENEM work in Portugal?
Agreement Between Brazil and Portugal: Many Portuguese universities accept ENEM scores as part of their admissions process for undergraduate programs. This agreement simplifies the application for Brazilian students who have completed secondary education.
Eligibility:
- Be Brazilian nationals.
- Have completed high school in Brazil.
- Present your ENEM scores from recent years (validity depends on the institution).
Universities that accept ENEM
Over 50 Portuguese universities and polytechnic institutes accept ENEM scores, including:
- University of Coimbra (first to accept ENEM in 2014).
- University of Lisbon.
- University of Porto.
- University of Algarve.
- New University of Lisbon (NOVA).
A comprehensive list is available on the Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior (DGES) website.
The application process for ENEM students
- Choose a university: Select from the institutions that accept ENEM scores.
- Check Specific Requirements: Each university sets its own minimum score threshold for ENEM results. For example:
- Competitive programs like medicine or engineering require higher scores.
- Less competitive programs may have lower score requirements.
- Submit Documents: ENEM score report, High school diploma (apostilled and translated into Portuguese), identity document (valid passport or national ID), and application form and fee payment (usually €50-€100).
- Await Results: Universities evaluate applicants based on ENEM scores and course capacity. Decisions are typically announced within 1-2 months.
