Study abroad·Europe· 9 min read

How to Study in Portugal: Complete Guide for International Students

A complete guide to studying in Portugal — universities and polytechnics, the International Student Statute route via DGES, applying to each institution, and the national (long-stay) visa plus AIMA residence permit.

Last updated 3 July 2026

Key facts

Official portal: study-research.pt / DGES (dges.gov.pt)
System: Binary — universities + polytechnic institutes
Non-EU application route: International Student Statute (each institution runs its own competition)
Recognition: Foreign-qualification equivalence + apostille for Indian documents
Visa: National (long-stay) student visa, then residence permit via AIMA

Why Portugal, and how its system works

Portugal is a fast-growing, relatively affordable European destination with a mild climate, English-friendly cities, and a binary higher education system. That system has two types of institution: universities, which are more research-oriented, and polytechnic institutes, which are more practice-led — both award recognised European degrees.

Degrees follow the European (Bologna) structure: bachelor (licenciatura), master (mestrado), and doctorate (doutoramento). The official starting point for international students is the "Study & Research in Portugal" portal run by DGES, the Directorate-General for Higher Education.

A distinctive feature is that non-EU international students usually apply through a dedicated route called the International Student Statute, which is separate from the national competition used by many Portuguese and EU candidates.

Binary system: universities (research-oriented) + polytechnics (practice-led)
Degrees: licenciatura (bachelor), mestrado (master), doutoramento (PhD)
Official portal: study-research.pt / DGES (dges.gov.pt)

The International Student Statute route

Portugal runs a national competition (concurso nacional de acesso) for bachelor's admission that is mainly used by Portuguese and certain EU-linked candidates, based on national secondary exams. Most non-EU international students instead apply under the International Student Statute (Estatuto do Estudante Internacional).

Under this statute, admission is decentralised: each university or polytechnic runs its own international-student competition, with its own requirements, entrance criteria, and deadlines. There is no single central portal or uniform national deadline for international students — you apply at the institution you want to attend.

Some categories of applicant are excluded from the statute (for example EU/EEA nationals, and certain long-term residents in Portugal), so check whether the statute applies to you. Because each institution sets its own rules, contact your chosen institution's academic services directly and confirm exactly how to apply.

Non-EU students usually apply via the International Student Statute
Decentralised: each institution runs its own competition, rules, and deadlines
Confirm eligibility and the process directly with your chosen institution

Requirements, recognition, and language

To apply for a bachelor's you generally need a qualification giving access to higher education (a secondary diploma or equivalent); for a master's you need a relevant bachelor's degree. Each institution assesses your qualification and sets any additional entrance requirements.

Recognition and equivalence of foreign qualifications, along with document legalisation and translation, follow rules set by DGES and the institution; Indian documents commonly need apostille legalisation before they are accepted. Confirm the exact recognition and document requirements with your institution.

Many master's programmes, and a growing number of bachelor's programmes, are taught in English, for which universities ask for English proficiency such as IELTS or TOEFL. Portuguese-taught programmes require Portuguese proficiency. Verify accepted tests and scores with each programme.

Bachelor's: a qualification giving access to higher education; master's: a relevant degree
Recognition, legalisation (apostille for Indian documents), and translation per institution
English-taught programmes ask for IELTS/TOEFL; Portuguese-taught need Portuguese

Visa and residence via AIMA

Portugal is in the Schengen Area. Non-EU/EEA students who will study for longer than the short-stay period generally apply for a national (long-stay) student visa at the Portuguese consulate in their country, using their letter of admission.

After arriving in Portugal, you convert that visa into a residence permit through AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo), the immigration authority that replaced the former SEF. The residence permit is typically issued for a period and renewed for the length of your programme.

This is general information, not immigration advice. Visa categories, proof-of-funds levels, and timelines change and depend on your situation, so verify everything on the official Portuguese government, consular, and AIMA sources before you travel.

Non-EU students generally apply for a national (long-stay) student visa first
After arrival, obtain the residence permit through AIMA
Verify visa, funds, and residence rules on official government/AIMA sources

Costs, scholarships, and living

Portugal is often cited as more affordable than Western Europe, but tuition for international students is set by each institution and each programme, and living costs vary by city, with Lisbon typically more expensive than smaller towns. Verify the current tuition on the institution's own fee page for your specific programme and year.

Scholarship options include institutional scholarships, Erasmus+ mobility, and various government or foundation schemes; eligibility, amounts, and deadlines are set by each scheme and change each cycle. A scholarship is competitive and awarded on published criteria — it can never be bought or guaranteed.

Budget for accommodation, health insurance, and everyday living in addition to tuition, and treat all figures as something to confirm on official and institutional sources rather than assume.

Tuition is set per institution and programme — verify on the official fee page
Support via institutional scholarships, Erasmus+, and government schemes
Never pay to "guarantee" a scholarship; confirm all costs per year

Frequently asked questions

How do non-EU students apply to study in Portugal?

Most non-EU international students apply under the International Student Statute (Estatuto do Estudante Internacional), which is separate from the national competition. Admission is decentralised — each university or polytechnic runs its own competition with its own requirements and deadlines — so you apply directly to your chosen institution and confirm its process.

What is the difference between universities and polytechnics in Portugal?

Portugal has a binary system: universities are more research-oriented, while polytechnic institutes are more practice- and profession-led. Both award recognised European degrees, so the choice depends on the field and the style of programme you want.

Can I study in Portugal in English?

Yes. Many master's programmes and a growing number of bachelor's programmes are taught in English, for which universities ask for English proficiency such as IELTS or TOEFL. Portuguese-taught programmes require Portuguese proficiency. Confirm accepted tests and scores with each programme.

What visa and residence permit do I need for Portugal?

Non-EU/EEA students generally apply for a national (long-stay) student visa at a Portuguese consulate, then convert it into a residence permit through AIMA after arriving. This is general information, not immigration advice — verify current visa, proof-of-funds, and residence rules on official Portuguese government and AIMA sources.

Is there a single central application for Portuguese universities?

Not for international students. While Portugal has a centralised national competition used mainly by Portuguese/EU-linked candidates, non-EU international students apply under the International Student Statute, where each institution runs its own competition. Contact each institution's academic services for its requirements and deadlines.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: DGES — Study & Research in Portugal; DGES — International Students.

Last verified: 3 July 2026.