Study in Portugal - Study abroad destination

Costs & Funding in Portugal - Study in Portugal

Budget your studies in Portugal — EU propinas of EUR 700-1,500/year, non-EU fees of EUR 3,000-7,000, living costs of EUR 700-1,100/month, scholarships and proof of funds.

Updated May 29, 2026 5 min read

Costs & Funding for Studying in Portugal

Portugal is one of Europe's best-value destinations. Tuition is low for EU students and moderate for everyone else, and living costs sit well below Western European averages — especially outside Lisbon and Porto. This guide breaks down propinas, living costs by city, scholarships, healthcare, and the proof of funds you need for your student visa.

Tuition Fees (Propinas)

EU/EEA and Swiss students

Program type	Annual propina
Public university, bachelor's or master's	EUR 700-1,500
Exchange (via partner agreement)	EUR 0

Same low, regulated fee Portuguese students pay. Your main cost is living expenses.

Non-EU/EEA students

University / level	Annual tuition
Public university, bachelor's	EUR 3,000-7,000
Public university, master's	EUR 3,000-7,000
Private university (e.g. Católica)	Higher — confirm per program

Even at the top of the public range, Portugal undercuts most English-speaking destinations. Many universities allow monthly or per-semester payment rather than a full year upfront.

Run a personalised estimate with our cost-of-study calculator.

Monthly Living Costs

Rent drives the difference between cities. Portugal is affordable, but Lisbon and Porto have grown pricier.

Lisbon / Porto (highest costs)

Expense	Monthly cost (EUR)
Room in shared flat / residência	400-650
Groceries	200-280
Transport (monthly pass)	30-40
Mobile + internet	20-35
Eating out, social	120-200
Other (supplies, insurance)	60-120
Total	~900-1,100+

Coimbra / Braga (cheaper)

Expense	Monthly cost (EUR)
Room in shared flat / residência	250-380
Groceries	180-250
Transport	25-35
Mobile + internet	20-35
Eating out, social	90-150
Other	50-100
Total	~700-850

Pro tip: University residências (dorms) are the cheapest housing, but places are limited and fill fast — apply the moment you are admitted. A prato do dia (daily lunch special) at EUR 8-10 makes eating out affordable, and a café costs under a euro.

Total Cost of a Degree

Realistic totals, tuition plus 12 months of living:

Scenario	Per year	Full degree
EU student, master's, Coimbra	~EUR 9,500-11,500	~EUR 19,000-23,000 (2 yrs)
Non-EU, master's, Lisbon	~EUR 15,000-20,000	~EUR 30,000-40,000 (2 yrs)
Non-EU, bachelor's, Braga	~EUR 12,000-15,000	~EUR 36,000-45,000 (3 yrs)

Even at the higher end, a degree in Portugal usually costs far less than the equivalent in the UK, US, or Australia.

Scholarships

Funding in Portugal is real but limited. Treat it as a bonus, not a guarantee.

University merit scholarships

Many universities offer merit-based scholarships or fee waivers for strong international applicants, often tied to your admission. Private universities like Católica run their own scholarship schemes. Check each university's scholarship page and note the deadlines, which often fall with or before the admission deadline.

Erasmus+ and exchange

If you are a current EU student, Erasmus+ funds a semester or year in Portugal with a monthly grant (typically EUR 300-500, varies by home country). Your home university administers it.

Home-country and research funding

DAAD, Fulbright, Chevening and similar national programs sometimes fund study in Portugal
Funded master's and PhD positions through research projects and the FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia)
Private foundations in your home country

Strategy: Because public tuition is already low, scholarships matter most for non-EU students and for covering living costs. Apply to two or three universities and check each one's funding deadlines.

Proof of Funds for the Student Visa

Non-EU/EEA students applying for a student visa and AIMA residence permit must prove they can support themselves.

Minimum required:

Roughly EUR 760 per month, pegged to the Portuguese minimum wage
For a one-year stay, about EUR 9,120 in available funds

Accepted proof typically includes:

A bank statement in your name showing the required amount
An official scholarship confirmation letter
A term of responsibility from a sponsor (termo de responsabilidade)

This is separate from tuition. You need to cover both. The minimum wage is updated annually, so confirm the current figure with your consulate before you apply. Our visa and arrival guide covers the full process.

Health Insurance and Healthcare

EU/EEA students — use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), then register with the SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) once resident
Non-EU students — get private health insurance for the visa and arrival; once you have a residence permit, NIF, and SNS number, you can register with the public SNS for low-cost or free care

Many international students keep affordable private insurance alongside the SNS for faster appointments. Budget EUR 30-60 a month if you go private.

Budget Planning Checklist

Before you arrive, confirm:

Tuition payment schedule (non-EU) and first instalment amount
Scholarship applications submitted where relevant
Proof of funds secured (~EUR 9,120 for one year, non-EU)
Housing reserved (residência confirmation or first-month deposit — Lisbon fills fast)
Insurance for arrival (EU: EHIC; non-EU: private until SNS registration)
A settling-in buffer (EUR 1,000-1,500) for deposits, the NIF, and first-week costs

Next Steps

Visa and arrival — use your proof of funds to apply for the student visa and AIMA permit
Living in Portugal — housing, the NIF, the SNS, and daily costs
Work and career — part-time work and post-study options
Admissions and application — if you have not applied yet

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to study in Portugal?

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, propinas (tuition) at public universities run about EUR 700-1,500 per year, so you mainly budget living costs of EUR 700-1,100 per month. Non-EU students pay tuition of roughly EUR 3,000-7,000 per year at public universities, and more at private ones. A one-year English master's for an EU student can cost under EUR 12,000 all in; a non-EU student should budget more for the higher tuition.

What are propinas?

Propinas are the Portuguese word for tuition fees. At public universities, EU/EEA students pay a regulated, low annual propina of roughly EUR 700-1,500. Non-EU students pay a separate, higher international fee (commonly EUR 3,000-7,000 per year). Private universities like Católica set their own, higher propinas. The amount is usually charged per academic year and sometimes payable in monthly instalments.

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

Non-EU students applying for a student visa and AIMA residence permit must show enough means of subsistence, generally pegged to the Portuguese minimum wage — roughly EUR 760 per month, which works out to about EUR 9,120 for a year. Accepted proof typically includes a bank statement in your name, a scholarship letter, or a term of responsibility from a sponsor. Confirm the current figure with your consulate, as the minimum wage is updated annually.

What are living costs like in Lisbon versus other cities?

Lisbon and Porto are the most expensive, with monthly costs of EUR 900-1,100 or more, driven by rent. Coimbra and Braga are noticeably cheaper at around EUR 700-850, with rooms in shared flats from EUR 250-380. Rent is the biggest variable. A room in a Lisbon shared flat can cost EUR 400-650, while the same in Coimbra might be half that. Food, transport, and coffee are affordable everywhere.

Are there scholarships for international students in Portugal?

Yes, but they are limited and competitive. Many universities offer merit-based scholarships or fee waivers for strong international applicants. Erasmus+ funds European exchanges with a monthly grant. Some master's programs and research projects offer funded places, and home-country programs (DAAD, Fulbright, national scholarships) sometimes fund study in Portugal. Apply in parallel with admission and check each university's scholarship page for deadlines.

Can I pay tuition in instalments?

Often, yes. Many Portuguese universities let you pay propinas in monthly or per-semester instalments rather than one upfront sum, which helps cash flow. Confirm the schedule with your admissions office. Note that for the visa you may still need to show proof of funds covering living costs for the period regardless of the tuition schedule, so plan around both.

Is healthcare free for students in Portugal?

EU/EEA students use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for public healthcare. Once you are a resident, you can register with the SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde), the national health service, which provides low-cost or free care. Non-EU students usually need private health insurance for the visa and arrival, then can register with the SNS once they have a residence permit and a NIF and SNS number. Many students also keep affordable private insurance for faster access.

How does the cost of studying in Portugal compare to other countries?

Portugal is one of the cheaper EU destinations. EU propinas are far lower than in the UK or the US, and even non-EU public fees of EUR 3,000-7,000 per year undercut most English-speaking countries. Living costs are also below Western European averages, especially outside Lisbon. Spain and Italy are broadly comparable; Portugal often wins on the combination of low living costs (outside the big cities), safety, and climate.

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