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With long-established universities such as Coimbra, Lisbon and Porto, reasonable fees compared with western Europe and a growing number of English-taught programmes, Portugal is a good place to study. For studies longer than 3 months you need a D4 visa (secondary school, training courses, internships) or a D5 visa (higher education).
Types of study visa
| Visa | For | Main requirement |
|---|---|---|
| D4 | Secondary school, training courses, internships, student exchange | Admission or enrolment at an educational institution |
| D5 | Bachelor's, master's, PhD | Admission to a higher-education institution |
Documents required
- Confirmed admission or enrolment at a Portuguese institution
- Proof of means for living costs (usually the Portuguese minimum wage for each month of stay; scholarship holders are partly exempt)
- Accommodation (residence hall or lease)
- Health insurance and a criminal record certificate
- For secondary-school pupils: aged 14 to 21, with parental consent
Costs
- Tuition at public universities for international students is usually a few thousand euros a year, depending on the programme; private universities cost more.
- Rent in Lisbon is higher than in Porto and Coimbra; a student room is the cheapest option. Rent levels in Portugal
Working and staying after your studies
- Students with a study residence card can usually work part-time alongside their studies, provided the work is registered.
- After graduating you can switch to a work permit (D1 or D3) with a job contract.
- Years of legal residence as a student matter for permanent residence and citizenship; check the details with a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Portuguese to study in Portugal?
Not for English-taught programmes, but many bachelor's degrees are in Portuguese, and the language helps a lot with daily life and work.
Can a student's spouse come along?
Family reunification follows the 2025 foreigners law and usually involves a waiting period, except for minor children; talk to us before applying.
Can students work in Portugal?
Yes. Students with a residence card can usually take legal part-time work.
Requirements reflect the rules as of October 2026; check tuition and admission deadlines on each university's website.
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