Portugal Student Visa 2026: Requirements, Work and Fees
Studying in Portugal as a non-EU citizen takes two documents. The first is a visa from a Portuguese consulate. The second, for courses that last more than a year, is a residence permit from the migration agency AIMA, issued for up to three years. This guide covers both, along with tuition, the right to work and the year you can stay after a master's or doctorate. Everything comes from the visa portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AIMA and the government's Study & Research in Portugal portal, as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
For a degree course you apply for a residency visa: fee 110€, decision deadline 60 days, valid 4 months with two entries. In Portugal you then apply to AIMA for a student residence permit, valid for three years and renewable. For study of less than a year you apply for a temporary stay visa, decided within 30 days. Holders of a study residence permit may work, employed or self-employed, alongside their studies. Tuition for bachelor's degrees at public institutions is capped by law at €710 a year, but institutions set their own fees for international students.
Which visa you need
| Temporary stay visa | Residency visa | |
|---|---|---|
| For | Study of less than a year in a certified institution, or a student exchange of similar length | A higher education study programme |
| Validity | The entire stay, multiple entries | 4 months, two entries |
| Deadline for a decision | 30 days | 60 days |
| After arrival | No residence permit step | Apply to AIMA for a residence permit |
Citizens of EU member states, of the European Economic Area and of countries with free movement agreements with the EU do not need a visa to stay over 90 days.
Requirements for higher education students
The visa portal states the core test in one line: you fulfil the admission criteria or have been accepted to university for a study programme, and you have enough financial resources to attend it. Several groups are exempt from parts of the file:
| If you are | You are exempt from presenting |
|---|---|
| Admitted to a higher education institution officially recognised under the legislation in force | Health insurance or equivalent, proof of admission conditions, travel insurance and means of subsistence |
| The holder of a scholarship, including one awarded by Camões, the Portuguese cooperation and language institute | The document proving admission and proof of sufficient means of subsistence |
| A national of a Portuguese-speaking country admitted to a higher education institution | Proof of means of subsistence |
Documents every applicant needs
- The national visa application form, filled in and signed
- 2 recent passport-type photos
- A passport or other travel document valid for 3 months after the estimated date of return
- Valid travel insurance covering necessary medical expenses, including urgent assistance and possible repatriation
- A criminal record certificate from your country of nationality or the country where you have lived for over a year, with the Hague Apostille or legalised. Applicants under sixteen are exempt
- Proof of financial resources
Study of less than a year
For a temporary stay visa you add a document issued by the institution and a document certifying enrolment, plus a statement signed by a host family or proof of housing. Grants and scholarships count towards your means of subsistence.
Secondary school students
Pupils must be between 14 and 21 years of age, be admitted to a recognised programme through an exchange or individual admission, and show that a family will host them or that accommodation is secured.
How much money you must show
The measure for every long-stay visa is the minimum monthly salary, 920€ in 2026: 100% for the first adult, 50% for other adults and 30% for children. Grants and scholarships are counted as means. If you fall into one of the exempt groups above, you do not have to present this proof.
Visa fee and timing
- Fee: 110€ for processing a national visa application.
- Exempt: people with a study scholarship granted by Portugal, and children below the age of 6.
- Decision: 60 days for a residency visa, 30 days for a temporary stay visa.
The portal advises submitting the application in advance, so that the authorities have time to decide.
The residence permit from AIMA
Once in Portugal on a residency visa, you apply for the student residence permit under Article 91 of the foreigners' law. The application is made by appointment and handed in in person at any AIMA office. AIMA notes that an online platform for residency visa holders is being introduced. You need:
- A passport or other valid travel document
- A valid residency visa
- A sworn declaration of your address, with a declaration from the landlord or host if you rent
- Proof of means of subsistence
- A criminal record certificate
- Proof of enrolment in a higher education institution
- Proof of payment of the tuition fees the institution requires
- Health insurance, or proof that you are covered by the National Health Service
| Type of student | Validity of the permit |
|---|---|
| Higher education student | Three years, renewable for equal periods. If the programme is shorter, the permit is issued for its length |
| Student in an EU or multilateral mobility programme, or under an agreement between institutions | Two years, or the length of the programme if shorter |
Working while you study
AIMA states the rule in one sentence: holders of a residence permit for study may carry out a professional activity, employed or self-employed, as a complement to the activity that gave rise to the visa. The basis is Article 97 of the foreigners' law. The Study & Research in Portugal portal notes that many students add to their budget with part-time work.
Staying after you graduate
Students who held a residence permit for a second or third cycle, meaning a master's degree or a doctorate, and have finished their studies can use a maximum period of one year to look for work or set up a company in Portugal that matches their qualifications. AIMA handles this under Article 122 of the foreigners' law. The file includes a declaration from the institution that you completed the study plan.
Tuition fees
| Where and what | Tuition |
|---|---|
| Public institutions: technical higher courses, bachelor's and integrated master's degrees | Set by law, with an annual cap of €710 |
| Public institutions: master's degrees and doctorates | Set independently by each institution |
| International students | Specific fees set by each institution under its own regulations |
| Private institutions | Set by each institution, with any additional charges |
Ask your university for its international student fee before you budget: the portal lists that fee as one each institution sets for itself.
How degrees are organised
- Bachelor's degree: 180 to 240 ECTS credits, 3 to 4 years.
- Master's degree: 90 to 120 ECTS credits, 1.5 to 2 years.
- Doctorate: usually 3 to 4 years.
- Academic year: two semesters, the first starting in September and the second in February.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a student visa for Portugal?
Get admitted to a Portuguese institution, then apply at the Portuguese consulate for your place of residence: a residency visa for a degree programme, or a temporary stay visa for study of less than a year.
How much is the Portugal student visa fee?
110€ for a national visa. People with a study scholarship granted by Portugal are exempt.
How long does a Portugal student visa take?
The deadline for a decision is 60 days for a residency visa and 30 days for a temporary stay visa.
Can international students work in Portugal?
Yes. AIMA states that holders of a residence permit for study may work, employed or self-employed, as a complement to their studies.
How long is a Portuguese student residence permit valid?
Three years for higher education students, renewable for equal periods, or the length of the programme if it is shorter.
Can I stay in Portugal after my studies?
After a master's degree or doctorate, you can use a maximum of one year to look for work or start a company that matches your qualifications.
How much is tuition in Portugal?
At public institutions, bachelor's fees are capped by law at €710 a year. Institutions set their own fees for international students, for master's degrees and for doctorates.
Official sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Visa portal — Necessary documentation: residency
- Visa portal — Necessary documentation: temporary stay
- Visa portal — Type of visa
- Visa portal — Fees
- Visa portal — Deadlines
- Visa portal — Means of subsistence
- AIMA — Residence permit for higher education students, Article 91
- AIMA — Residence after completing a master's degree or doctorate
- Study & Research in Portugal — Study
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. The AIMA pages are in Portuguese; the English wording here is our own. Consulates can ask for further documents, so check the page of the post where you will apply. Information, not legal advice.