Portugal

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At a glance

Living index rating: Moderate
Monthly rent: €300 – €500 for a shared room (central Lisbon €500 – €700)
Monthly food: €170 – €280
Other monthly expenses: €120 – €220 (utilities, transport pass, phone, personal)
Visa processing time: Visa 30 – 90 days; AIMA residence permit 2 – 5 months after arrival
Family allowed for students: Limited

Visa requirements

Student visa (D4 for higher education) from a Portuguese consulate, then a residence permit from AIMA after arrival
Acceptance letter from a Portuguese institution
Proof of funds: at least €920 for each month of your stay (the 2026 minimum wage)
Proof of accommodation, health insurance and a criminal record certificate
Work up to 20 hours a week in term and full-time in holidays, after notifying the authorities
AIMA appointment waits can be long in Lisbon and Porto

Work permit after studies

Residence permit to look for work for up to 12 months after graduating (higher education)
Or switch straight to a work residence permit if you have a job contract before your student permit expires
Tech graduates can use the Tech Visa or EU Blue Card routes

Citizenship route

Permanent residence after 5 years of legal residence
A new nationality law passed in 2025 raises the residence requirement for citizenship from 5 to 10 years for most non-EU nationals (7 years for EU and Portuguese-speaking (CPLP) countries), counting from when your first residence permit is issued; check the current status
Portuguese language at A2 level

Family details

Under the 2025 Foreigners Law, most residents must hold a residence permit for 2 years before applying to bring family members from abroad
Spouses and minor children are covered, and family members with residence permits can work
Family reunification decisions can take 3 – 12 months

Universities in Portugal

Top-ranked

University of Lisbon · Lisbon
QS #237THE 376–400ARWU 301–400
Famous for: Engineering (Instituto Superior Técnico), Architecture, Veterinary medicine
University of Porto · Porto
QS #255THE 401–450ARWU 301–400
Famous for: Engineering, Medicine, Architecture
NOVA University Lisbon · Lisbon
QS #337THE 501–550ARWU 701–800
Famous for: Business and economics (Nova SBE), Public health, Information management
University of Coimbra · Coimbra
QS #342THE 401–450ARWU 401–500
Famous for: Law, Medicine, Pharmacy
University of Aveiro · Aveiro
QS #425THE 701–800ARWU 501–600
Famous for: Materials engineering, Telecommunications, Environmental sciences
University of Minho · Braga
THE 601–650ARWU 801–900
ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon · Lisbon
THE 651–700
University of Beira Interior · Covilhã
THE 701–800
Catholic University of Portugal · Lisbon
THE 801–1000
University of Algarve · Faro
THE 1001–1200
University of the Azores · Ponta Delgada
THE 1001–1200
University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro · Vila Real
THE 1201–1400

All other universities and colleges (78), A–Z

This guide is for general information. Visa and immigration rules change often, so always check the official government website before you apply. Last updated 6 October 2026.