Are you interested in living and studying in Portugal? You’re not alone! Portugal has become one of Europe’s most popular destinations for international students, offering some of the most affordable degrees in Europe, lower living costs than many Western European countries, and internationally recognised universities.
From vibrant cities like Lisbon and Porto to historic academic hubs like Coimbra, Portugal combines quality education with a relaxed lifestyle, sunny weather, and easy access to beaches and nature.
In this guide, you’ll discover the average cost of studying in Portugal, including tuition fees at Portuguese universities, monthly living expenses, accommodation prices, transport costs, and scholarship opportunities for international students.
Key takeaways:
- Portugal offers some of the more affordable tuition fees in Western Europe, making it a popular choice for international students looking for quality education at a lower cost.
- Your biggest expenses will usually be accommodation and everyday living costs like food and transport, especially in larger cities such as Lisbon and Porto.
- Smaller student cities like Coimbra or Braga are often more budget-friendly.
- Portugal also offers scholarships and financial aid opportunities for both EU and non-EU students.
- Explore Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees on Mastersportal to compare universities, tuition fees, and living costs across Portugal.
Average monthly student budget in Portugal
The average cost of living for international students in Portugal is between 500 and 1,000 EUR per month, depending on the city, type of accommodation, and lifestyle. Students living in larger cities like Lisbon and Porto usually spend more on rent and daily expenses, while smaller student cities such as Coimbra, Braga, or Leiria are generally more affordable.
The estimates below are based on average student costs reported by Portuguese universities, student accommodation platforms, and cost-of-living databases such as Numbeo.
Expense | Average monthly cost |
Accommodation | 150–800 EUR |
Food and groceries | 150–250 EUR |
Public transport | 20–55 EUR |
Utilities and internet | 50–100 EUR |
Total estimated monthly budget | 500–1,000 EUR |
Accommodation is usually the biggest expense for students in Portugal, especially if you rent a private apartment in Lisbon or Porto. Choosing university residences or shared apartments can significantly reduce your monthly costs. Food, transport, and utilities are generally more affordable than in many other Western European countries, particularly if you use student discounts and cook at home regularly.
Public university tuition fees for EU/EEA students in Portugal
If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you will usually pay the same tuition fees as Portuguese students at public universities in Portugal. This is one of the biggest advantages of studying there as an EU student.
Unlike many countries where universities set their own prices freely, tuition fees at Portuguese public universities are regulated by the government. Every year, the state sets official minimum and maximum tuition fee limits that universities must follow for most public Bachelor’s and integrated Master’s degrees.
For the 2025/2026 academic year, the state-regulated tuition fee bracket is around:
- 495–697 EUR per year for most public Bachelor’s and integrated Master’s degrees
This means many public universities charge very similar tuition fees for EU students.
For standalone Master’s degrees, universities have more flexibility, so costs can vary more depending on the programme. In general, EU/EEA students can expect to pay:
- around 500–2,500 EUR per year for many Master’s degrees
Some specialised programmes, especially in business, engineering, technology, or health sciences, may cost more than the standard public tuition range.
Most universities also allow tuition fees to be paid in monthly instalments instead of one large payment at the start of the academic year.
Public university tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students in Portugal
If you are a non-EU/EEA international student, tuition fees at public universities in Portugal are usually higher than for Portuguese and EU students. This is because public universities can set separate international tuition fees for students from outside the EU/EEA.
Unlike EU tuition fees, which are regulated by the government, there are no official state price limits for non-EU students. Each university decides its own international tuition fees based on factors such as the programme, degree level, demand, and international recruitment strategy.
In most cases, non-EU/EEA students can expect to pay:
- around 2,500–4,500 EUR per year for many Bachelor’s degrees
- around 3,000–7,000 EUR per year for many Master’s degrees
Some specialised or internationally focused programmes, especially in business, engineering, technology, or health sciences, can cost even more.
Tuition fees also vary depending on the university. For example, some Master’s degrees at University of Aveiro can cost around 4,500–5,500 EUR per year for international students.
Students from Portuguese-speaking countries, especially Brazil and other CPLP countries, may benefit from reduced tuition fees or special agreements at some universities.
Like EU students, international students can usually pay tuition fees in instalments throughout the academic year instead of paying the full amount upfront.
Public university tuition fees for students from Brazil who study in Portugal
Students from Brazil often benefit from special conditions at Portuguese universities because Brazil is part of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).
Many universities in Portugal offer:
- reduced tuition fees for Brazilian students
- special international student agreements
- simplified application pathways
- access through the Brazilian ENEM exam at some institutions
Because of these agreements, Brazilian students sometimes pay lower tuition fees than other non-EU international students.
At many public universities, Brazilian students may pay:
- around 1,500–4,000 EUR per year for Bachelor’s degrees
- around 2,000–5,000 EUR per year for Master’s degrees
However, the discounts vary significantly by university and programme. Some institutions treat Brazilian students similarly to EU students for certain degrees, while others apply separate CPLP tuition categories.
This is one of the reasons Portugal is especially popular among Brazilian international students.
Tuition fees at private universities
Private universities in Portugal are usually more expensive than public institutions, but they are often still more affordable than universities in countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, or Australia.
Tuition fees at private universities typically range between:
- around 3,000–7,000 EUR per year for many Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
- over 10,000 EUR per year for some business, medical, health sciences, or highly specialised programmes
Unlike public universities, private institutions set their own tuition fees without government-regulated limits, which means costs can vary significantly depending on the university and programme.
Some private universities in Portugal also offer scholarships, merit-based discounts, early payment reductions, or flexible instalment plans for international students.
Universities we recommend in Portugal
Check out the best universities in Portugal according to global rankings.
Most affordable universities in Portugal
The universities below are among the more affordable higher education institutions in Portugal for international students. Tuition fees vary depending on your nationality, degree level, and study programme, so always check the official university website for the latest costs.
| University | Type | Typical tuition fees |
|---|---|---|
| University of Minho | Public | EU students: from around 697 EUR/year Non-EU students: from around 2,250 EUR/year |
| Polytechnic Institute of Leiria | Public | EU students: around 697–1,200 EUR/year Non-EU students: from around 3,000 EUR/year |
| University of Porto | Public | EU students: around 697–1,500 EUR/year Non-EU students: from around 3,500 EUR/year |
| Lusophone University of Humanities and Technologies | Private | Around 1,000–5,000+ EUR/year depending on programme |
| Instituto Superior Técnico | Public | EU students: around 697–2,500 EUR/year Non-EU students: around 7,000 EUR/year |
Some universities also offer reduced tuition fees, scholarships, or special agreements for students from Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil.
Costs of living in Portugal for international students
As we’ve already mentioned, living in Portugal is easier because it is one of the more affordable countries in Europe. Of course, living costs vary from one region to another, but on average you’ll need between 500 – 800 EUR per month.
Accommodation costs
Accommodation is usually the biggest monthly expense for international students in Portugal, especially in larger cities like Lisbon and Porto. Prices are generally lower in smaller student cities such as Coimbra, Braga, or Leiria. Here are the average prices for some of the most common housing options:
Here are the average monthly prices for some of the most common housing options:
- Student halls of residence: around 200–500 EUR/month
- Room in a shared apartment: around 250–650 EUR/month
- Studio or one-bedroom apartment: around 500–1,200 EUR/month
University residences are usually the cheapest option, but places are limited and highly competitive, especially in Lisbon and Porto.
If you decide to rent privately, always check whether utilities are included in the rent. Electricity, heating, water, and internet can add another 50–150 EUR per month depending on the season and accommodation type.
- Studying in Portugal? Find your student housing with University Living—safe, simple, and easy to book.
Food costs
For food and groceries, most international students in Portugal spend around 150–300 EUR per month, depending on their lifestyle and the city they live in.
Some of the most affordable supermarket chains in Portugal include Lidl, Pingo Doce, Continente, Aldi, and Auchan. Shopping at local markets and cooking at home regularly can help you reduce your monthly expenses.
Food item | Average price in Portugal |
Milk (1 litre) | 0.95 EUR |
Bread (500 g loaf) | 1.40 EUR |
Rice (1 kg) | 1.43 EUR |
Eggs (12) | 2.92 EUR |
Chicken fillets (1 kg) | 6.63 EUR |
Cheese (1 kg) | 10.29 EUR |
Apples (1 kg) | 1.94 EUR |
Bananas (1 kg) | 1.29 EUR |
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | 10–15 EUR |
Meal at university canteen | 3–6 EUR |
Prices are based on averages from Numbeo and may vary depending on the city and supermarket chain. Food and restaurant costs are usually higher in Lisbon and Porto than in smaller student cities.
Public transportation in Portugal is generally affordable and student-friendly, especially if you use monthly travel passes or student discounts. Larger cities like Lisbon and Porto have extensive metro, bus, tram, and train networks, while smaller student cities are often easy to explore on foot or by bicycle.
Transportation type | Average cost |
One-way local transport ticket | 1.50–2 EUR |
Monthly student/public transport pass | 30–40 EUR/month |
Metro and urban transport card | Usually included in monthly pass |
Intercity train tickets | Around 10–30 EUR/trip when booked in advance |
Student train discounts | Available for many travellers under 25 |
In smaller student cities such as Coimbra, Braga, or Leiria, many students choose to walk because universities, accommodation, and city centres are often located close together.
Portugal also has a reliable railway network, making it easy to travel between cities and explore the country during weekends or holidays.
You can also use the Numbeo website to check out other prices and costs in Portugal.
Scholarships in Portugal for international students
Portugal offers grants and government-funded scholarships to both EU and non-EU/EEA students. In order to be eligible for a grant, you must apply to a university that is recognised by the Portuguese Ministry of Education.
There is a great variety of scholarships, most of them awarded to Master’s students, but you can find financial aid programmes for the other degrees as well. Foundations and research institutions in Portugal also offer internships to students.
Check out a few institutions offering scholarships or financing:
- DGES - scholarships, including merit scholarships and student loans in both public and private universities
- FCT - offers several funding opportunities to doctoral students
- Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation - provides scholarship opportunities to graduate students pursuing research in Armenian studies and to students involved in research projects in the Portuguese language and culture.
You can also check out the Studyportals Scholarship to get some help on financing your studies in Portugal.
