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Cost of Studying in Portugal: Breakdown 2026
Finance May 14, 2026

Cost of Studying in Portugal: Breakdown 2026

EU propinas run €700–1,500/year, non-EU €3,000–7,000, and living costs €700–1,100/month. Here's every Portuguese study number you need for 2026.

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May 14, 2026
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9 min read
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Portugal is one of Western Europe's cheapest places to earn a degree. Tuition — called propinas — runs €700–1,500/year for EU/EEA students at public universities, and €3,000–7,000/year for non-EU students. Living costs land between €700 and €1,100 per month depending on your city, with Lisbon at the top and Coimbra or Braga at the bottom. Below is the full 2026 breakdown so you can budget with real figures instead of guesses.

Tuition Fees (Propinas)

Two things decide your propinas: your nationality and whether the institution is public or private.

EU/EEA and Swiss Students

At public universities, the annual propina for EU/EEA students is capped by law and sits around €697 for bachelor's (licenciatura) and integrated master's programmes in 2025/26. Standalone master's (mestrado) and doctoral programmes are set by each institution and typically run €1,000–3,000/year. So a full bachelor's degree at the University of Lisbon, University of Porto, NOVA, or Coimbra costs roughly €700/year — among the lowest in Western Europe.

Non-EU/EEA Students

Public universities charge non-EU (estudante internacional) students a separate, higher fee that each institution sets:

  • Humanities and social sciences: €3,000–5,000/year
  • Sciences, engineering, and business: €4,000–6,000/year
  • Medicine and specialist programmes: €5,000–7,000/year at the top end

Private universities — such as Católica (Universidade Católica Portuguesa) — charge €5,000–12,000/year regardless of nationality, with business and medicine at the higher end. Always confirm the exact propina on the institution's admissions page, as figures vary by faculty.

Living Costs by City

Lisbon

The capital, the most expensive city, and the deepest job market.

  • University residence (residência) room: €200–400/month — limited spots
  • Room in a shared private flat: €400–650/month
  • Groceries: €200–280/month (Lidl, Pingo Doce, and Continente for budget shopping)
  • Public transport (Navegante monthly pass): €30–40/month, capped citywide
  • Phone plan: €10–15/month for a generous data bundle
  • Total monthly estimate: €850–1,100 including rent

Porto, Coimbra, and Braga

Portugal's other student cities cut your rent meaningfully — €100–250/month below Lisbon for equivalent housing.

  • University residence room: €150–320/month
  • Room in a shared private flat: €280–450/month
  • Groceries: €180–250/month
  • Total monthly estimate: €700–900 including rent

Coimbra and Braga are the cheapest, Porto sits in the middle. For the full city-by-city comparison, see our best student cities in Portugal guide.

Proof of Funds for the Student Visa

Non-EU students applying for a study visa must prove they can support themselves. Portuguese consulates require roughly the value of the national minimum wage per month for the duration of stay — about €760/month in 2026, or around €9,120 for a full year. You show this through a bank statement, a blocked deposit, or a scholarship award letter. EU/EEA students don't face this requirement. The visa process is covered in full in our Portugal student visa guide.

One-Time Setup Costs

Budget for these in your first month:

  • Student visa application fee (non-EU): approximately €90
  • AIMA residence permit fee: approximately €170 once in Portugal
  • Rental deposit: typically 1–2 months' rent — €400–1,300 for a private room
  • Prepaid rent: landlords often ask for the first month upfront on top of the deposit
  • NIF registration: free if done yourself; €50–150 if you use an agent or fiscal representative
  • Bedding, kitchen basics: €100–250 (some rooms come unfurnished)
  • Total one-time costs: €900–2,000 (the deposit is the big one)

Scholarships and Tuition Waivers

Several routes lower or eliminate your propina:

  • Erasmus+: Incoming exchange students pay no propina at their home university and receive a monthly mobility grant.
  • University merit scholarships: Lisbon, Porto, NOVA, and Católica offer partial fee waivers and stipends for strong applicants.
  • Camões Institute and bilateral scholarships: Funded places for students from partner countries, including Portuguese-speaking nations.
  • DGES social support (Ação Social): Need-based grants for EU students that can cover propinas, meals, and accommodation.

The full landscape is in our Portugal scholarships guide.

Working Part-Time

EU/EEA students may work without restriction. Non-EU students on a study residence permit may work part-time during term and full-time during holidays. Portugal's minimum wage is roughly €5/hour gross (the national minimum is around €870/month for full-time in 2026). Student jobs in tutoring, hospitality, and call centres pay €5–8/hour. Part-time work helps with living costs but rarely covers propinas for non-EU students. Full details on hours, taxes, and finding work are in our working while studying in Portugal guide.

Annual Budget Summary

Two scenarios to show the range.

Scenario A: EU Student, Coimbra, University Residence

  • Propina (bachelor's): €700/year
  • Rent (residência room): €2,400/year (€200/month)
  • Food and groceries: €2,160/year (€180/month)
  • Transport, phone, internet: €600/year
  • Personal / going out: €1,500/year
  • Total: ~€7,360/year

Scenario B: Non-EU Student, Lisbon, Shared Flat

  • Propina (engineering, international rate): €5,500/year
  • Rent (room in shared flat, Lisbon): €6,600/year (€550/month)
  • Food and groceries: €3,000/year (€250/month)
  • Transport, phone, internet: €700/year
  • Personal / going out: €2,400/year
  • Total: ~€18,200/year

For EU/EEA students, the propina line is tiny — Scenario B drops by about €4,800/year if you qualify for the EU rate. Model your own numbers with the cost-of-study calculator.

Hidden Costs Students Miss

  • The NIF runaround: You need a NIF (tax number) to sign a lease, open a bank account, or get a phone contract. Non-EU students often need a fiscal representative, which can cost €50–150.
  • Summer heat and winter damp: Many Portuguese flats have no central heating. A portable heater and dehumidifier (€60–120) make winter bearable, especially in Porto and Braga.
  • Deposit and agency fees: Some landlords and agencies ask for a finder's fee on top of the deposit. Read the contract carefully.
  • Eating out: A prato do dia (daily set lunch) is cheap at €7–10, but tourist-area dinners add up fast in Lisbon.
  • Flights home: Lisbon and Porto airports connect cheaply across Europe (from €40–120 return on budget carriers). Budget €300–600/year for trips.

Banking in Portugal

Once you have your NIF, opening a bank account is straightforward. Millennium BCP, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Novobanco, and Santander all offer free or low-cost student accounts. You'll need your NIF, passport, proof of address, and proof of enrolment. Many students also use digital banks like Revolut or N26 for everyday spending and transfers. The Multibanco (MB) ATM network is everywhere and handles bill payments, top-ups, and transfers — it's central to daily life in Portugal.

Healthcare and the SNS

Portugal's public health service is the SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde). EU/EEA students should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for covered care. Once you register as a resident with a NIF and an address, you can request an SNS user number and access a local health centre (centro de saúde) for low-cost or free GP visits. Non-EU students typically need private health insurance for the visa, then register with the SNS after obtaining their AIMA residence permit. Private insurance runs €20–50/month and is widely used for faster access to specialists.

Money-Saving Tips for Students

  • Eat the prato do dia: University canteens (cantinas) serve a full meal for around €2.50–3 — the cheapest hot food in the country.
  • Use the youth transport passes: The Passe Sub23 and student fares cut monthly transport well below €30 in many cities.
  • Buy a Cartão Jovem: The national youth card unlocks discounts on travel, culture, and shops for under-30s.
  • Shop at Lidl, Mercadona, and local markets: Fresh produce at the mercado municipal is cheaper than supermarkets.
  • Choose a residence or república: University housing and Coimbra's repúblicas are dramatically cheaper than private rooms.

Stacked together, these habits can shave €150–250/month off a typical budget — see the full strategy in our accommodation guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to study in Portugal?

EU/EEA students pay propinas of around €700/year for a bachelor's at public universities; non-EU students pay €3,000–7,000/year. Living costs run €700–1,100/month depending on the city. Lisbon is the most expensive; Coimbra and Braga are the cheapest.

How much money do I need to show for the student visa?

Non-EU applicants must prove roughly €760/month (the national minimum wage) for the duration of their stay — about €9,120 for a full year. EU/EEA students don't need to show proof of funds. The figure tracks the minimum wage and updates annually.

Is Portugal cheaper than Spain for students?

Broadly, yes — propinas and living costs are similar, but housing in Lisbon and Porto is slightly cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona, and everyday prices (groceries, transport, eating out) are a touch lower across Portugal.

Can I cover my living costs by working part-time?

Partly. Student jobs pay €5–8/hour, so part-time work can cover food and transport but rarely full rent in Lisbon. EU students work without limits; non-EU students work part-time during term. It won't cover non-EU propinas.

What's the cheapest way to study in Portugal?

Qualify for the EU propina rate, study in Coimbra or Braga rather than Lisbon, get a university residence room or a república, cook at home, and use the cheap monthly transport pass. That keeps a budget student around €700/month all-in.

Do I need private health insurance?

EU/EEA students should carry an EHIC and can register with the SNS. Non-EU students need private health insurance for the visa, then can register with the SNS after getting their AIMA permit. Many keep cheap private cover (€20–50/month) for faster specialist access.

What are propinas?

Propinas are tuition fees in Portuguese. The annual propina for EU bachelor's students at public universities is capped around €697; non-EU and master's fees are higher and set by each institution.

For the complete picture — propinas, the student visa, scholarships, and life after graduation — see Study in Portugal and our dedicated costs and funding guide.

Tags: Costs Portugal Tuition Budget Lisbon

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