Studying abroad has become much easier in recent years, thanks to developments in technology and university admissions systems. You can research destinations online and, in many cases, submit an application through the institution’s admissions portal. Portugal remains a popular European study destination because of its location, culture, and comparatively accessible higher education system.
Nurses are integral to society, and Portugal offers nursing education through public and private higher education institutions. You can study nursing at the undergraduate level and, depending on the institution, continue with specialized master’s programs. Are you looking to study nursing in Portugal? Read on to find out what you need to keep in mind as an international student.
What Degrees are there for Nursing in Portugal?
The route to becoming a nurse in Portugal usually starts with a Licenciatura, or bachelor’s degree, in Nursing. This is typically a Bologna first-cycle degree of 240 ECTS completed over eight semesters. Several institutions also offer second-cycle master’s degrees in nursing specialties, such as rehabilitation nursing, community and public health nursing, maternal and obstetric health nursing, mental health and psychiatric nursing, and medical-surgical nursing.
For instance, CESPU, the University of Minho School of Nursing, and UTAD list nursing programs at bachelor’s and/or master’s level. Doctoral study may be available in broader health-science fields at some Portuguese universities, but students should check whether a specific Ph.D. is in nursing or in a related health-sciences area.
Cost of Studying Nursing
The financial side of things is a very important part of your university selection process. Universities and other higher education institutions in Portugal set their fees annually, so exact amounts depend on the institution, student status, degree level, and program. Do not rely on a single national average.
As current examples, CESPU’s 2026/2027 fee table for the Instituto Politécnico de Saúde do Norte lists the bachelor’s degree in Nursing at €5,738 per year under the general annual payment option, or €488 per month over 12 monthly payments. CESPU nursing master’s programs are listed at €288 per month. At the University of Minho, annual fees are also fixed by rectoral order, and the university states that international undergraduate and integrated master’s tuition may be up to €6,500 per year, with reductions applied in many courses for students from CPLP countries. Always confirm the latest amount on the university’s official fees page before applying.
Plans for international studies are not complete without a mention of the cost of living. Living costs vary by city and lifestyle. Braga and Guimarães are generally lower-cost student cities; the University of Minho estimates about €400 to €500 per month for a student there, though private accommodation, lifestyle choices, and more expensive areas such as Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve can push budgets higher.
For visa purposes, students may also need to show proof of financial resources. Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that means of subsistence for long-stay visas are based on the national minimum monthly salary, which is €920 in 2026, with specific percentages applied for additional family members.
International students may be able to work while studying, but the conditions depend on nationality and residence status. EU/EEA/Swiss students generally do not need a student visa, while most non-EU/EEA students need to follow the visa and residence permit procedure. Before relying on employment income, students should confirm permitted work conditions with AIMA, the Portuguese consulate, and their university.
Requirements to Study Nursing in Portugal
Every university in Portugal has a set threshold that applicants must meet before they are admitted. If you are planning to study nursing in the country, the admission process may differ depending on your nationality, residence status, and application route.
For Portuguese and EU-equivalent candidates, undergraduate nursing admission may use national access routes and institution-specific prerequisites. For example, the University of Minho lists access through national, special, local, re-entry, change-of-course, and transfer regimes. Its Nursing degree requires entrance exams such as Biology and Geology with Portuguese, Physics and Chemistry, or Mathematics, plus a formal Group A communication and interpersonal prerequisite. International applicants usually apply through special international-student procedures unless they have EU/EEA status, long-term legal residence, or another status that makes them equivalent to national applicants.
Language requirements also vary by institution and program. Because most nursing programs in Portugal are taught in Portuguese and clinical training requires communication with patients, Portuguese proficiency is usually essential. Do not assume TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency is enough unless the program page specifically states that the course is taught in English. CESPU’s information guide states that its official language is Portuguese and that most classes are taught in Portuguese; it also recommends Portuguese proficiency for studies and traineeships. Some universities may request additional documents such as academic records, identification, prerequisite forms, a CV, or other course-specific materials.
In What Languages Do You Study Nursing in Portugal?
The instructional language used to teach nursing courses in Portugal varies by institution, but most nursing programs are taught in Portuguese. CESPU’s current information guide states that its official language is Portuguese and that most classes are in Portuguese, although staff may be able to support students in other languages and some research or traineeships may use another common language under supervision. UTAD’s Community Nursing master’s page also lists Portuguese as the language of instruction.
Because clinical placements involve Portuguese-speaking patients, international students should plan to build Portuguese language skills even if some academic support is available in English. This will help not only in class but also during placements and daily life in Portugal.
Best Nursing Schools in Portugal
1. Cooperative dez Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU)
Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário, or CESPU, is a private nonprofit institution focused on health sciences. It was founded in Porto in 1982 and operates higher education units that include nursing and other health-related schools. CESPU reports a student population of about 4,000 and offers degree, master’s, doctoral, and postgraduate non-degree programs in health-related areas. Its courses are adapted to the Bologna process, making them aligned with the European higher education framework.
One of the main programs offered through CESPU’s nursing schools is the bachelor’s degree in Nursing, which is listed as a four-year, 240 ECTS program. CESPU’s current guide also lists several nursing master’s programs, including Rehabilitation Nursing, Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, and Medical-Surgical Nursing specializations. CESPU’s official language is Portuguese, and most classes are taught in Portuguese. Students gain clinical and practical training as part of their nursing education; after graduation, professional practice requires registration with the appropriate professional body, such as Portugal’s Ordem dos Enfermeiros, where applicable.
2. The University of Minho School of Nursing
Playing a significant role in the development of the region of Minho is the University of Minho. The institution was founded in 1973, welcomed its first students in the 1975/1976 academic year, and now operates on campuses in Braga and Guimarães. Among its schools is the School of Nursing, which offers a degree in Nursing and second-cycle programs such as the Master in Nursing and the Master in Nursing in Person in Critical Situation.
The main objective of the nursing programs at this nursing school in Portugal is to prepare students for healthcare practice and research-informed professional work. The University of Minho’s Nursing bachelor’s study plan totals 240 ECTS across four years, and the school states that the degree is recognized by the Portuguese Order of Nurses, with the professional title requiring registration.
3. Universidade de Trás-Os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD)
The final candidate on our list of nursing schools in Portugal is the Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, or UTAD. Located in Vila Real, this public university became a university in 1986, building on the earlier Polytechnic Institute of Vila Real. UTAD offers undergraduate and graduate programs in several fields, including nursing and health sciences.
The official DGES course database lists UTAD’s nursing bachelor’s degree at the School of Health as 240 ECTS over eight semesters. It also lists several nursing master’s degrees, including Nursing, Community Nursing, Community and Public Health Nursing, Family Health Nursing, Nursing People in Critical Condition, Maternal and Obstetric Nursing, and Medical-Surgical Nursing. Many of these second-cycle programs are listed at 90 ECTS over three semesters or 120 ECTS over four semesters, depending on the specialization, rather than a single four-semester format for all master’s options.
One objective of these master’s programs is to develop specialized knowledge, evidence-based decision-making, and professional competence for advanced nursing practice. If you are interested in joining UTAD, check the university’s current course page and the DGES record for admissions, language, schedules, fees, and accreditation updates.
I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Europe Scholarships Page and the Open Courses Page for International Students.
