Applying for a Bachelor’s degree in Portugal (2026)
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| 10 | universities offer Bachelors in Portugal in English |
| 68 | Bachelors are available |
Studying a Bachelor’s degree in Portugal is a mix of tradition and modern student life.
In the sections below, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about doing a Bachelor’s in Portugal; from choosing a programme to costs, visas, and how the application procees is really like.
The official Study.eu database lists Bachelors in Portugal that are fully taught in English, covering a wide range of disciplines. Find yours today!
Searching for Bachelor’s programmes on Study.eu is recommended as the first step to your study-abroad journey.
Tuition fees for Bachelor’s (1st‑cycle) degrees in Portugal are relatively low compared to many Western European countries, especially at public universities.
Public universities are the most affordable option in Portugal. If you’re an EU/EEA or Swiss student, tuition fees for most Bachelor’s degrees are capped by law and are typically around €700 per year.
If you’re a non-EU/EEA student, you’ll usually pay higher tuition fees under Portugal’s International Student Statute. At most public universities, fees typically range from €3,500 to €4,500 per year, although some universities offer reduced rates for students from certain countries, such as members of the Portuguese-speaking community (CPLP).
Private universities and business schools generally charge higher tuition fees, with most Bachelor’s programmes costing between €4,000 and €12,000 per year. Some institutions also offer scholarships or merit-based discounts that can significantly lower the cost.
Keep in mind that most Portuguese universities charge a non-refundable application fee when you apply. This is typically between €30 and €50, although some institutions may charge up to €100.
The application process for a Bachelor’s degree in Portugal depends on where you completed your secondary education.
Study.eu Tip: Don’t be afraid to contact the university if you’re unsure about any part of the application. Admissions offices are used to helping international students and can clarify entry requirements, routes, or which documents you need. It’s always better to ask a question early than risk submitting an incomplete application.
In most cases, you’ll need to submit:
Some universities may also ask for a motivation letter, CV, portfolio (for creative subjects), or an entrance test, depending on the programme.
Portugal’s universities organise Bachelor’s admissions into specific application phases or “calls”, each with its own deadline.
If you’re an non‑EU applicant, it’s crucial to apply in the earliest available call. That gives you enough time for offer processing, document legalisation, visa procedures, and travel arrangements before the academic year starts in September. Even for EU students, earlier rounds tend to be more competitive but also provide the best choice of programmes and campuses.
For Bachelor’s admissions, universities may also run special application calls (concursos especiais) for certain international applicants, which can provide additional entry routes after the main application cycle.
Because deadlines differ between universities (and even between faculties within the same university!) you should always check the date ranges on the programme’s official page and note that they are usually shown in the Portuguese timezone (UTC/UTC+1).
As a practical rule, plan to have all documents ready at least a few weeks before the first call you’re targeting so you’re not held back by delays in exam results or translations.
Scholarships for Bachelor’s are a mix of need‑based public support, merit awards, and institution‑specific or private grants, and they usually sit on top of already relatively low tuition at public universities.
The main state‑backed scheme for undergraduates is the DGES social support grant, which helps students with fewer financial resources cover part of their study and living costs. Applications are submitted online and assessed based on household income and other socio‑economic criteria.
For international students, government‑funded support is more limited, but some universities and private organisations offer partial tuition waivers or discounts specifically for non‑EU applicants, often framed as “international student scholarships” or “merit reductions”.
In some cases, scholarships are also offered by external partners such as foundations, banks, or local authorities. Similar schemes can also be found in cities like Lisbon, along with targeted scholarships for students from Portuguese-speaking countries or for specific fields such as teacher education.
Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland can study in Portugal without needing a visa. However, if their stay is longer than three months, they are required to register their residence with the local authorities after arrival.
Non-EU/EEA students must obtain a long-stay study visa before travelling through the Portuguese consulate in their country of residence. Once in Portugal, they will also need to apply for a residence permit with the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).
To apply for a Portuguese study visa, students are typically asked to submit the following documents:
These are the standard requirements, but depending on the consulate handling the application, you may also need to provide:
After arriving in Portugal, students must schedule an appointment with AIMA to complete their residence permit process. Since a fixed address is required at this stage, many students choose to secure temporary accommodation first and then look for long-term housing once they are in the country.
If the student is under 18, they will need parental or legal guardian consent, and may also be asked to provide a designated guardian in Portugal or proof of suitable accommodation arrangements.
Finding accommodation in Portugal can be one of the more difficult parts of preparing for your studies, particularly in cities like Lisbon and Porto, where demand is high and the student rental market moves very fast.
Many students underestimate how early they need to start searching and end up struggling to find reasonably priced options near their university. In popular student areas, rooms are often listed and taken within a matter of hours, especially in the weeks leading up to the academic year.
For this reason, it’s important to start your search as early as possible and be careful when booking online. Fake listings can appear on unofficial platforms, avoid paying anything before verifying the accommodation and signing a proper contract. Whenever possible, it’s safer to use university housing services, verified student residences, or well-known accommodation platforms.
Most international students arrive in Portugal by plane, although train and long-distance bus travel can also be practical depending on where you are coming from.
If you are flying, you will most likely arrive at Lisbon Airport, the country’s main international hub. Porto and Faro airports also offer a wide range of connections, especially within Europe.
A typical Bachelor’s degree in Portugal lasts 3 years (180 ECTS credits), although some programmes in areas such as architecture, medicine, or engineering may take longer.
Tuition fees for Bachelor’s degrees in Portugal are around €700 per year for EU/EEA and Swiss students due to regulated fee caps. Non-EU/EEA students usually pay higher fees of around €3,500 to €4,500 per year at public universities, while private universities generally charge between €4,000 and €12,000 per year for all students.
Ready to study in Portugal?
