How Much Does It Cost to Study in Portugal? Tuition Fees and Housing
Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.
Portugal has one of the simplest fee systems in Europe for EU citizens: a single national cap. For students from outside the EU the picture is the opposite, with every institution setting its own price. Which of the two applies to you is decided by your status, not by the programme.
The national fee
Tuition at public universities and polytechnics is capped by law at €697 per year, and the cap stays in place for 2026/27. An institution may charge less than the cap, but not more. This is the price for Portuguese and EU citizens admitted through the national contest, for every bachelor's programme, from Law to Engineering.
What international students pay
Students admitted through the contest for international students pay a price set by each institution. In our catalogue these fees run from €1,100 to €18,000 a year at public institutions, with a typical figure of €3,500. Polytechnics in inland towns are at the low end; the large universities, such as Coimbra and the universities in Lisbon, are at the high end.
We show the international fee on a programme page when the institution has officially published it. Where it has not, the institution's call for international students is the source.
Two groups often pay less:
- Citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries (Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde and the other members of the CPLP) get a discount at many institutions.
- Non-EU citizens who have lived legally in Portugal for two years or more are not international students under the rules. They apply through the national contest and pay the national fee.
Other costs at enrolment
Besides tuition, institutions charge small administrative amounts at enrolment, such as a registration fee and student insurance. They are listed in each institution's fee table.
Housing
Public institutions run residences through their social services, and they are by far the cheapest housing a student can find. For the 27 residences with a published price in our catalogue, the typical monthly price is about €195. Places are limited and go first to grant holders and to students from outside the city, so most students rent privately. Lisbon and Porto are considerably more expensive than Coimbra, Braga, Aveiro or the inland cities.
How to keep costs down
- Check your status first. If you qualify for the national contest, the fee question is settled.
- Compare international fees between institutions. The differences are large, and a polytechnic can cost a fraction of a university in the capital.
- Ask each institution about discounts and merit scholarships for international students.
- Look beyond Lisbon and Porto for lower rent.
Where to look next
Official sources
- DGES: Directorate-General for Higher Education
- Study & Research in Portugal: official portal for international applicants
Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.