With its mild climate, rich culture, and lively cities, Portugal remains one of Europe’s attractive study destinations. The country is also home to well-ranked universities, including institutions that appear in major global rankings.
As an international student, it is important to be familiar with the popular student cities and universities in Portugal before you plan your studies. Refer to the practical information on tuition, transportation, housing, and daily living costs below to get closer to your Portuguese study plans.
Cost of Studying in Portugal
Portuguese is still the main language of instruction for many programs, especially at the undergraduate level. However, English-taught options are increasingly available, particularly at the master’s level, so always check the language requirements for your chosen program.
The University of Lisbon offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs for international students. Tuition depends on the school and program. For example, for 2026/2027, Ciências ULisboa lists annual international tuition of €3,500 for most bachelor’s and master’s programs, with some specific master’s programs listed from €3,000 to €7,000. At ISEG, 2025/2026 first-year master’s tuition for non-EU international students ranges from €4,100 to €8,000.
The Catholic University of Portugal describes itself as a not-for-profit public institution whose courses do not benefit from state funding. Its tuition is not a single flat amount; it varies by course, ECTS credits, facilities, and school. For example, CATÓLICA-LISBON lists a monthly tuition fee of €858 for non-EU international students in its undergraduate Economics program, while one FCH master’s program lists 2026/2027 international tuition of €675 per month in the first year, plus registration and application fees.
If you want a public university option in Porto, the University of Porto is one of Portugal’s leading universities. For 2026/2027, annual tuition for bachelor’s and integrated master’s students with International Student Status ranges from €3,500 to €16,500, depending on the course and faculty. Nationals of CPLP countries may be eligible for a tuition reduction of up to 45%.
The University of Minho is a major public university with campuses in Braga and Guimarães. Its 2025/2026 tuition fees vary by cycle, school, course, and international student category. Some listed international tuition rates are below €4,500 for CPLP students, while fees for students from other countries can be higher, including up to €18,000 for Medicine.
Cost of Living in Portugal
Living costs in Portugal depend heavily on the city, housing type, lifestyle, and whether you can secure university accommodation. The figures below should be treated as planning estimates because rents, utilities, and food prices change frequently.
1. Lisbon
Lisbon is Portugal’s capital and one of the country’s most expensive student cities. It can still be more affordable than many Western European capitals, but rent has risen significantly in recent years.
Student rooms and university residence places vary widely and can be competitive. For a private one-bedroom apartment, recent cost-of-living data list an average of about €1,398 in the city center and €1,078 outside the center. A shared room or university residence is usually a more realistic student option than a private apartment.
The price of eating out can vary, but an inexpensive restaurant meal in Lisbon is estimated at about €14.50. Regular public transport users can use the Navegante Metropolitano pass, which costs €40 per month and covers the 18 municipalities in the Lisbon metropolitan area. The municipal Navegante pass covers one municipality and costs €30 per month.
Other expenses that you might incur in Lisbon are utility bills. Basic utilities for an 85-square-meter apartment are estimated at about €153 per month, with broadband Internet around €31 per month.
2. Porto
Porto is one of Portugal’s major cities and a strong student destination. The University of Porto is located here and is among Portugal’s leading universities in major global rankings.
If you are an international student who wants to stay in Porto on a strict budget, university accommodation is usually cheaper than renting a private apartment, but availability is limited. The University of Porto’s Social Services price table for 2025/2026 lists some accommodation at €283.10 per person per month, though prices vary by residence and room type.
Private one-bedroom apartments are more expensive. Recent estimates list average rents of about €1,105 in the city center and €842 outside the center. Basic utilities are estimated at about €128 per month, and broadband Internet at about €34 per month.
Food costs depend on your lifestyle. An inexpensive restaurant meal in Porto is estimated at about €12, while students who cook at home can usually spend less. The Andante system lists monthly passes at €30 for 3-zone or municipal travel and €40 for metropolitan travel. Eligible young people may qualify for free public transport passes, subject to age and proof requirements.
3. Amadora
Amadora is part of the Lisbon metropolitan area and can be convenient for students who want access to Lisbon while living outside the capital’s center.
Instead of assuming a fixed €1,100 monthly budget, plan around your housing choice. Current student-room listings in Amadora commonly show rooms from around €300 to €650 per month, though private apartments can be much higher.
Living near a train or metro station can reduce commute time and transport complexity, but central or well-connected rooms may cost more. Amadora is included in the Lisbon metropolitan transport system, where the Navegante Metropolitano pass costs €40 per month and the municipal pass costs €30 per month.
4. Braga
Braga is one of Portugal’s more budget-friendly student cities, but rents have also increased. It is a strong option for students who want a smaller city environment, and the University of Minho has campuses in Braga and Guimarães.
University accommodation can be one of the cheapest options when available. The University of Minho lists double rooms in its residences for exchange students at €127 per month per person, plus additional electricity costs, subject to annual updates. In the private market, recent estimates list one-bedroom apartments at about €819 in the city center and €655 outside the center, so shared housing is usually more budget-friendly.
Local transport and daily expenses remain lower than in Lisbon and Porto in many estimates. A one-way local transport ticket is about €1.55, and a monthly pass is about €20. Basic utilities for an 85-square-meter apartment are estimated at around €104 per month, and broadband Internet at about €42 per month.
Restaurant meals are also generally affordable compared with Lisbon. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant is estimated at about €10.
5. Setubal
Famous for its sweet muscatel wine and sardine industry, Setúbal is part of the Lisbon metropolitan area. It is not usually a 30-minute train ride from Lisbon; Fertagus states that the trip from Setúbal to the last station on the Lisbon line takes about 57 minutes.
A single student’s monthly budget in Setúbal will depend mostly on housing. Recent cost-of-living estimates list one-bedroom apartments at about €878 in the city center and €704 outside the center, while inexpensive restaurant meals are about €10. Shared housing may reduce the total considerably.
Setúbal is included in the Navegante metropolitan transport system. The Navegante Metropolitano pass costs €40 per month across the Lisbon metropolitan area. The municipal pass is €30, and CP notes a Setúbal municipal discount for residents that can reduce the municipal pass to €20.
Cooking at home will usually be cheaper than dining out frequently. As a planning estimate, set a separate monthly grocery budget and confirm current prices after you choose your neighborhood and accommodation.
We hope that this article on the Cost of Studying and Living in Portugal for International Students was helpful. Make sure to check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
