Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is one of Europe’s oldest cities and is home to several major universities in Portugal. Its history, cultural attractions, and range of academic programs make it a popular destination for international students. However, students should carefully research the cost of living, particularly accommodation expenses.
Tuition fees in Lisbon vary considerably by university, school, degree level, program, and international student category. Let’s take a look at the cheapest universities in Lisbon for international students.
Affordable Universities in Lisbon for International Students
1. University of Lisbon
The University of Lisbon is the largest university in Portugal. It offers more than 400 degree programs and serves approximately 50,000 students across its schools and institutes. The university also maintains museums, botanical gardens, research centers, and scientific and cultural collections.
International tuition fees are determined by the school and program. Current bachelor’s fees range from approximately €1,500 per year for selected law programs to substantially higher amounts for medicine, dentistry, and other specialized degrees. Applicants should therefore check the fee listed for their specific course rather than relying on a university-wide figure.
2. NOVA University Lisbon
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from €3,500 per year for selected bachelor’s programs
NOVA University Lisbon was founded in 1973 and is the youngest of Lisbon’s three public universities. It offers programs across fields such as business, science and technology, social sciences, law, medicine, public health, and information management.
Around 20% of NOVA’s students are international, representing more than 110 countries. Many programs and individual courses are available in English, although the language of instruction varies by school and degree.
Tuition fees are set by each NOVA school. For example, international bachelor’s tuition is €3,500 per year at NOVA’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities, while NOVA School of Science and Technology charges €7,000 and NOVA Information Management School lists €7,500 for 2026/27. Some graduate business and professional programs cost considerably more.
3. Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from €5,500 per year for selected bachelor’s programs
Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs in areas including business, social sciences, public policy, technology, architecture, and data science. It also operates multidisciplinary research centers covering national and international social, political, economic, and technological issues.
International experience is supported through exchange agreements and partnerships with institutions in Europe and other regions. Students should check each program page for its teaching language, delivery format, and application requirements.
International tuition fees vary by course. Slected bachelor’s programs in political science and law charge €5,500 per year, while programs such as computer science and business management charge €7,000. Master’s fees also vary by program and year of study.
5. Catholic University of Portugal
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from €6,150 per year for selected Lisbon bachelor’s programs
The Catholic University of Portugal is a private Catholic university with programs in business, economics, law, human sciences, political studies, health sciences, medicine, nursing, philosophy, and theology. Its Catholic and humanistic identity informs its institutional mission, but its academic offerings extend well beyond theology and religious studies.
The university has an established international community and exchange network. Students attending the university have come from approximately 90 countries, and it maintains hundreds of agreements with partner universities worldwide.
Fees vary by faculty, program, nationality category, and number of ECTS credits. For example, the Philosophy, Politics and Economics bachelor’s program lists annual tuition of €6,150. The international bachelor’s program in Business Administration lists a monthly fee of €858 for students from outside the European Union, payable in 10 installments, although the school notes that this amount is subject to annual updates.
6. Lusophone University
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from approximately €4,422 per year for selected bachelor’s programs
Universidade Lusófona describes itself as the largest private university in Portugal. The institution is managed by COFAC – Cooperativa de Formação e Animação Cultural, a nonprofit educational cooperative, rather than a private investment group. The university has centers in Lisbon and Porto and maintains a particular institutional focus on Portuguese-speaking countries and communities.
It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs across numerous academic fields. The language of instruction and availability of English-language courses vary by program, so international applicants should review the individual course page and its language requirements.
Tuition is generally calculated according to the number of ECTS credits. For example, the Data Science bachelor’s program lists an average monthly tuition amount of €442.20 for a standard 30-ECTS semester, equivalent to approximately €4,422 over a standard academic year. Registration, school insurance, application, and other administrative fees may be charged separately.
Lisbon offers a broad selection of universities and degree programs for international students. However, tuition can differ significantly among schools and courses, even within the same university. Applicants should compare the total tuition, mandatory administrative fees, teaching language, and estimated living expenses before choosing a program.
We hope you find this article useful when preparing to apply to a university in Lisbon. Students who are unsure which course to choose can also review the available programs for international students.
