Study in Portugal

• Apply for a type D student visa at the Portuguese consulate or visa centre with your admission letter, then for a residence permit through AIMA after arrival
• Funds: at least the national minimum wage for each month (EUR 920 a month in 2026), through savings, a scholarship or a sponsor
• Work: students may work part-time alongside their studies after notifying AIMA and registering for tax and social security; check current hour limits
• Graduates can apply to stay on to look for work or switch to a work-based residence permit
• AIMA has had long backlogs since it replaced SEF in 2023; book appointments early and keep proof of every application

• A secondary school certificate for bachelor's, and a relevant bachelor's degree for master's; international-student applicants may face entrance exams or document checks
• English-taught programs: IELTS, TOEFL or another test the university accepts; Portuguese-taught programs: Portuguese, usually at B2
• Apply through the university's international student (Estudante Internacional) admission process
• Official transcripts and certificates, with certified translations if they are not in English or Portuguese; some universities ask for an apostille
• For the visa: admission letter, a valid passport, health insurance, accommodation and funds of at least the monthly minimum wage (EUR 920 in 2026)

Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Braga and Aveiro are the main student cities. Rents in Lisbon and Porto have risen steeply and take a large share of a student budget, while smaller cities are cheaper. The climate is mild, and younger people in the cities widely speak English. Immigration appointments with AIMA have faced long delays, so start your paperwork early.