Studying in Portugal vs. Spain
Portugal and Spain 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 €948 in Portugal and €1,398 in Spain.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Portugal
Cheaper monthly living
Portugal
Lower visa proof of funds
Spain
Side-by-side comparison
Portugal
Spain
Currency
EUR (€)
EUR (€)
Public tuition (annual)
€1,500
€2,500
Private tuition (annual)
€5,000
€12,000
Monthly living (city avg)
€948 / mo
€1,398 / mo
Visa proof of funds
€9,120
Proof of funds (annual)
€7,560
Student visa proof of means (€630/month)
Cities tracked
Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Braga
Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.