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Living in Portugal - Study in Portugal

Housing, the NIF, banking, the SNS, transport, food, and student life in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and Braga — the practical guide to daily life as a student in Portugal.

Updated May 29, 2026 5 min read

Living in Portugal

Daily life in Portugal is one of the best parts of studying here: sun, affordable food, safe cities, and a relaxed pace. The practical setup — finding a room, getting your NIF, opening a bank account, registering with the SNS — takes some patience, but once it is done, the lifestyle is hard to beat. This guide covers everything you need for daily life as a student.

Housing

Rent is your biggest expense and the main thing that varies between cities.

Your housing options

University residências (dorms) — the cheapest option, but places are limited. Apply the moment you are admitted.
Room in a shared flat — the most common choice. EUR 400-650/month in Lisbon and Porto; EUR 250-380 in Coimbra and Braga.
Studio or one-bed — pricier, especially in central Lisbon (EUR 800-1,200).

How to find a place

Use Idealista, Uniplaces, university housing offices, and local Facebook groups. You will usually need a NIF and a deposit of one to two months' rent. In Lisbon and Porto the market is tight — start early and be ready to move fast. Never pay a deposit before confirming the place and landlord are real.

The NIF — Your Master Key

The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is your Portuguese tax number, and you need it for renting, banking, and phone contracts. Get it from a Finanças (tax office) or, before arrival, through a fiscal representative. Sort it first — almost everything else depends on it. Our visa and arrival guide explains the full setup sequence.

Banking

Open a Portuguese bank account once you have your NIF. Common choices:

Traditional banks: Millennium BCP, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Novobanco, Santander
Digital options: widely used and quick to set up

You will need your passport, NIF, proof of address, and proof of student status. A local account makes paying rent and receiving any wages far easier, and most daily payments use the Multibanco network and MB WAY app.

Healthcare and the SNS

EU/EEA students — use your EHIC, then register with the SNS once resident
Non-EU students — keep private insurance for arrival, then register with the SNS once you have a residence permit, NIF, and SNS number

The SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) provides low-cost or free public care. Many students also keep affordable private insurance (EUR 30-60/month) for faster appointments. See our costs and funding guide for the full healthcare breakdown.

Transport

City transport is cheap and student-friendly:

City	System	Monthly pass
Lisbon	Navegante (metro, bus, tram)	~EUR 30-40
Porto	Andante (metro, bus)	~EUR 30-40
Coimbra / Braga	Buses + walking	Lower; very walkable

Student discounts are available — ask at the transport office with your student card. Between cities, Comboios de Portugal trains and buses (Rede Expressos, Flixbus) are affordable for weekend trips, and Spain is an easy hop away.

Food and Daily Costs

Eating well is cheap in Portugal:

A café (espresso) costs under EUR 1
A prato do dia (daily lunch special) runs EUR 8-10
Groceries for a month: EUR 180-280
Mercados municipais (markets) are great for fresh, cheap produce

Portuguese cuisine — fresh fish, bacalhau, pastéis de nata — is a genuine highlight of student life here.

Student Life by City

Lisbon — cosmopolitan capital, the most international programs and nightlife, beaches a short train away. Highest rents.
Porto — similar buzz at lower cost, famously friendly, on the Douro river.
Coimbra — the classic university town, deep traditions (the black capa, Queima das Fitas festival), very affordable.
Braga — youngest and cheapest, home to the University of Minho.

Praxe (student initiation traditions) exists at some universities and is entirely optional. Universities run buddy programs and student associations — join one early to build your social circle.

Safety and Climate

Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world. Watch for petty theft in tourist areas of Lisbon and Porto, but cities are comfortable to walk at night. The climate is a major perk: mild winters, hot dry summers, and around 300 days of sun a year, with the Atlantic coast always close.

Settling-In Checklist

Get your NIF (priority one)
Secure housing (residência or shared flat)
Open a bank account with NIF and proof of address
Register with the SNS once eligible
Buy a SIM (MEO, NOS, Vodafone) and a transport pass
Enrol and collect your student card
Start a Portuguese course if your university offers one
Join a student association to meet people early

Next Steps

Work and career — part-time work and post-study options
Visa and arrival — residence, NIF, and SNS setup
Costs and funding — budget your living costs by city
The 10-step guide — the whole journey in order

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to live in Portugal as a student?

Budget EUR 700-1,100 per month depending on the city. Lisbon and Porto sit at the top, mostly because of rent. Coimbra and Braga are noticeably cheaper, around EUR 700-850. Rent is the biggest variable: a room in a shared flat costs EUR 400-650 in the big cities and EUR 250-380 in smaller ones. Food, transport, and coffee are affordable everywhere, with a daily lunch special often EUR 8-10.

How do I find student housing in Portugal?

Start with university residências (dorms), which are the cheapest option but limited — apply the moment you are admitted. Most students rent a room in a shared flat through platforms like Idealista, Uniplaces, or local Facebook groups, or via word of mouth. You will need a NIF and often a deposit of one to two months' rent. In Lisbon and Porto, start searching early because the market is tight.

Do I need a NIF to rent and live in Portugal?

Yes. The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is your Portuguese tax number and you need it to sign a rental contract, open a bank account, and get a phone plan. Get it from a Finanças office in Portugal, or before arrival through a fiscal representative. Sorting your NIF early is the single most useful thing you can do, because almost every other step depends on it.

What is the public transport like for students?

Cities have good, cheap public transport. Lisbon uses the Navegante pass (metro, buses, trams) and Porto uses the Andante system (metro and buses), each costing roughly EUR 30-40 a month, with student discounts available. Coimbra and Braga rely mostly on buses and are walkable. Intercity trains (Comboios de Portugal) and buses (Flixbus, Rede Expressos) connect cities affordably for weekend trips.

Is Portugal safe for international students?

Yes. Portugal consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world, with low violent crime. The main thing to watch is petty theft and pickpocketing in tourist areas of Lisbon and Porto, so keep an eye on your phone and wallet on busy trams and in crowds. Cities are comfortable to walk at night, and people are generally friendly and helpful to foreigners.

How hard is it to live in Portugal without speaking Portuguese?

In cities and on campus you can manage in English, especially among younger people and in international programs. But Portuguese helps a lot with renting, the NIF, AIMA appointments, shops outside tourist zones, and part-time work. Portuguese is one of the more approachable Romance languages for English speakers. Most universities offer free or cheap courses, and even basic phrases earn goodwill.

What is student life like in Portugal?

It is sociable and affordable. Coimbra has the most traditional student culture, with academic festivals like Queima das Fitas and students in black capes. Lisbon and Porto offer big-city nightlife, beaches nearby, and a strong international community. Praxe (student initiation traditions) exists at some universities and is optional. Eating out is cheap, the climate is great for outdoor life, and weekend trips around the country and to Spain are easy.

Which Portuguese city is best for students?

It depends on your priorities. Lisbon is the cosmopolitan capital with the most international programs, jobs, and nightlife, but the highest rents. Porto offers a similar buzz at lower cost and a famously friendly atmosphere. Coimbra is the classic, affordable university town with deep student traditions. Braga (University of Minho) is the cheapest and youngest. Match the city to your budget, field, and the kind of student life you want.

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