Located in southwestern Europe, Portugal is known for its generally mild climate. These features, together with its university and polytechnic options, make it a popular destination for international students.
Portugal’s higher education system includes both university and polytechnic institutions. In the 2024/25 academic year, the country had 97 higher education institutions and 456,032 students. International applicants should compare tuition, program language, admissions requirements, and living costs for their chosen institution and city.
At public institutions, annual tuition for Portuguese and EU students in bachelor’s and integrated master’s programs is generally capped at €697. Tuition for master’s programs, doctoral programs, and students admitted under the international-student system is set by each institution and program. Some institutions offer reduced rates to students from Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).
Several institutions in Portugal publish comparatively affordable tuition for certain international programs. Because fees vary by citizenship, degree, and subject, the institutions below should be treated as a comparison list rather than a definitive national ranking. Let’s take a look at these cheap universities in Portugal for international students.
Affordable Schools in Portugal for International Students
1. Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (IPG)
Politécnico da Guarda is a public polytechnic headquartered in Guarda, near the Serra da Estrela region. It has four schools covering education, communication, sports, health, technology, management, tourism, and hospitality. Its programs emphasize applied and professionally oriented education.
IPG lists annual international-student tuition of €1,300 for bachelor’s programs. Its master’s tuition table lists €1,500 for many programs, although some courses have different rates. Students should consult the linked tuition pages for their specific course, payment schedule, and any applicable CPLP or PALOP reduction.
2. University of Algarve
The University of Algarve, or UAlg, is a public institution with the Penha and Gambelas campuses in Faro and another campus in Portimão. Times Higher Education’s 2026 data list 9,726 students, 19% of whom are international students.
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, UAlg is placed in the 1001–1200 overall band. Its 2026 subject rankings include 501–600 for Arts and Humanities, Life Sciences, and Social Sciences; 601–800 for Business and Economics, Medical and Health, and Education; 801–1000 for Physical Sciences; and 1001–1250 for Engineering.
For 2026/27, the standard international undergraduate rate is €3,500 to €4,500 per year, depending on the program. Separate reduced rates apply to eligible CPLP and Latin American applicants. Graduate tuition is set by course and can vary substantially. UAlg permits tuition to be paid in as many as ten installments, subject to its payment rules.
3. University of Évora
The University of Évora is Portugal’s second-oldest university. Founded in 1559 by the future Cardinal-King Henry, it was authorized to teach a wide range of subjects, with exceptions that included medicine, civil law, and parts of canon law.
The university operated for approximately two centuries before being closed in 1759 following the expulsion of the Jesuits from Portugal. Higher education was reestablished in Évora in 1973.
The university currently reports 8,939 students and offers programs through schools and departments covering the arts, social sciences, science and technology, health and human development, and nursing. It also reports more than 1,500 international students from approximately 70 countries.
Most international bachelor’s and master’s programs list annual tuition of €2,500, although exceptions exist. The university also offers merit and cooperation scholarships under specific eligibility and academic-progress conditions. Applicants should check the individual course page for the exact fee and any available reduction.
4. University of Minho
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from €2,250/year (undergraduate, non-CPLP) | from €2,500/year (master’s, non-CPLP)
The University of Minho was founded in 1973 and began its academic activities in 1974. It has three campuses: Gualtar in Braga and Azurém and Couros in Guimarães. Its academic fields include the arts and humanities, architecture, social sciences, education, psychology, engineering, economics and management, law, medicine, and science.
Times Higher Education places the University of Minho in the 601–800 band of its World University Rankings 2026. Its profile lists 21,465 students, with international students representing 13% of enrollment.
For 2026/27, tuition for non-CPLP international students starts at €2,250 in selected undergraduate humanities programs. Other programs charge substantially more, including the integrated medical degree. Non-CPLP master’s tuition starts at €2,500 in selected humanities programs and can reach €6,500 or more, depending on the course. Separate rates apply to eligible CPLP students.
5. University of Porto
The University of Porto traces part of its institutional history to the Polytechnic Academy and the Medical-Surgical School. The modern university was formally established in 1911.
The university currently reports more than 35,800 registered students, with international students representing approximately 14% of enrollment. Its academic structure includes 14 faculties and Porto Business School.
For bachelor’s and integrated master’s programs, the University of Porto’s international tuition generally ranges from €3,500 to €16,500 per year, depending on the faculty and course. Eligible students from CPLP countries can receive a reduction of as much as 45% from the standard international rate. Tuition for conventional master’s and doctoral programs is set separately by each faculty and program.
6. University of Beira Interior
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: €5,000/year (undergraduate) | €1,500/year (master’s)
The University of Beira Interior, or UBI, is a public university in Covilhã. Its institutional origins date to the Polytechnic Institute of Covilhã, established in 1973. It became a university institute in 1979 and received full university status in 1986.
Times Higher Education places UBI in the 601–800 band of its World University Rankings 2026. Its profile lists 8,307 students, with international students representing 21% of enrollment. Current subject bands include 301–400 for Business and Economics, 401–500 for Social Sciences, and 601–800 for Computer Science, Engineering, Life Sciences, Medical and Health, and Physical Sciences.
The University of Beira Interior lists annual international tuition of €5,000 for undergraduate programs and €1,500 for master’s programs. It allows tuition to be divided into as many as ten installments, subject to the university’s payment calendar and conditions.
7. University of Lisbon
The University of Lisbon was formed in 2013 through the merger of the former University of Lisbon and the Technical University of Lisbon. Its academic tradition traces back to the Studium Generale established in Lisbon in 1290.
The university reported 51,590 students in the 2024/25 academic year. This included 11,702 international and mobility students representing more than 100 nationalities. Times Higher Education places the institution in the 401–500 band of its World University Rankings 2026.
Its current academic portfolio includes 105 bachelor’s programs, seven integrated master’s programs, 226 master’s programs, and 134 doctoral programs across its schools and faculties.
International tuition is determined by the individual school and program. At the Faculty of Sciences, most bachelor’s and master’s programs charge €3,500 per year, although exceptions include programs with lower or higher rates. Applicants should therefore use the tuition page for their specific faculty rather than assuming a university-wide fee of €7,000.
FAQS About Studying in Cheap Universities in Portugal
What Are the General Requirements to Study in Portugal?
Requirements depend on the applicant’s nationality and chosen program. For first-cycle study, international applicants generally need a secondary-school qualification that provides access to higher education. Each institution sets its own application documents, entrance examinations, language requirements, deadlines, and fees.
Students who are not citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland generally need to check Portugal’s residence-visa and residence-permit requirements. Supporting documents can include a passport, proof of admission or enrollment, proof of financial means, health coverage, and accommodation. The exact requirements depend on the applicant’s circumstances and the relevant Portuguese authority.
Do Universities in Portugal Offer English-taught Programs?
Yes. There are Portuguese universities that offer programs in English. However, the language of instruction is course-specific. ISEG currently lists several master’s programs taught in English. At the University of Porto, some programs are partly or fully taught in English, but the university states that most programs are taught in Portuguese. Applicants should verify the teaching language on the individual program page.
We hope this article has shown that several Portuguese institutions offer comparatively affordable tuition for selected programs. Because fees and admissions policies can change, always confirm the latest amount and eligibility requirements on the linked university page. To explore additional study options, visit Programs in Europe for International Students.
