Studying in France vs. Portugal
France and Portugal are both popular study destinations — but the price tag, visa rules, and currency differ. We pulled the numbers from our cost calculator: monthly living averages €1,424 in France and €948 in Portugal.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Portugal
Cheaper monthly living
Portugal
Lower visa proof of funds
France
Side-by-side comparison
France
Portugal
Currency
EUR (€)
EUR (€)
Public tuition (annual)
€3,000
€1,500
Private tuition (annual)
€12,000
€5,000
Monthly living (city avg)
€1,424 / mo
€948 / mo
Visa proof of funds
€7,380
Long-stay visa: €615/month proof
€9,120
Proof of funds (annual)
Cities tracked
Paris, Lyon, Toulouse
Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Braga
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.