When you think of Portugal, you may first think of its history and rich culture. Portugal was founded in 1143 and is one of Europe’s oldest nation-states, but it is also a serious destination for higher education. For international students interested in health sciences, Portugal offers accredited medical degrees through universities and medical schools that follow the European model for medical training.
Medicine is a regulated field in Portugal. The standard medical qualification is usually the Integrated Master’s Degree in Medicine, which combines theoretical and practical training and normally leads to the degree of Mestre after completion. Because admission rules, language requirements, vacancies, and fees can change each year, students should always confirm details on the official university and DGES pages before applying.
If you are considering studying medicine in Portugal, this guide explains the main things you should know about requirements, language, international student admission, the curriculum, medical schools, difficulty, and the steps needed to practice as a doctor after graduation.
1. What are the requirements to study medicine in Portugal?
Admission to medicine in Portugal does not usually require a separate “pre-medical” course before applying. For most six-year Integrated Master’s Degrees in Medicine, applicants need a qualification that gives access to higher education, such as a Portuguese secondary-school diploma or an equivalent foreign qualification. International-student applications are submitted directly to the university, and each institution sets its own deadlines, documents, entrance exams, language rules, and fees.
Common requirements include an identification document or passport, academic records, proof of completion of secondary education or an equivalent qualification, entrance subjects or exams in areas such as Biology and Geology, Physics and Chemistry, and Mathematics, a language certificate when required, the Group A “Interpersonal Communication” medical prerequisite, application forms, and application fees. Some universities may also ask for interviews, statements, or institution-specific exams.
There are also special routes. For example, the University of Algarve offers a four-year graduate-entry Integrated Master’s Degree in Medicine for applicants who already hold at least a first-cycle degree in approved areas and can receive credit recognition for previous study. Non-EU students should also check the official Portuguese visa and residence requirements after receiving admission.
2. In what language do you study medicine in Portugal?
The language of instruction depends on the university and the academic year. Some programs are taught in Portuguese, while others include English-taught components. For example, the University of Minho states that its Integrated Master’s Degree in Medicine will be taught exclusively in Portuguese in 2026/2027. The University of Algarve lists Portuguese as the language of instruction. NOVA Medical School lists English or Portuguese for its international-student medicine route, while Católica Medical School says its course is taught in English, with the clinical component in Portuguese.
Even when a program includes English-taught classes, Portuguese is very important for clinical training because students must communicate with patients, supervisors, and health-care teams. Before applying, check the official page for the exact language requirement for that year, including any required Portuguese or English CEFR level.
3. Can you study medicine in Portugal as an international student?
Yes. International students can study medicine in Portugal if they meet the legal definition of an international student and the requirements of the university they are applying to. Under the Portuguese international-student framework, this route generally applies to students who do not have Portuguese nationality, but it excludes several groups, including EU/EEA nationals, certain family members of Portuguese or EU/EEA nationals, some long-term legal residents in Portugal, and students applying through special access schemes.
Several universities now publish international-student routes or places for medicine. For example, NOVA Medical School lists 20 vacancies for international students for 2026/2027, the University of Minho lists 10 vacancies for 2026/2027, and the University of Algarve lists a special international-student contingent within its 2026/2027 graduate-entry medicine intake. Because eligibility and vacancies can change, always use the official call for applications for the year you apply.
4. What are the components of the medical curriculum in Portugal?
Portugal follows an integrated medical education model. DGES explains that basic medical training must include at least six years of study or 5,500 hours of theoretical and practical teaching. In Portugal, medical training is organized as an integrated study cycle leading to a master’s degree, with 360 ECTS over 12 semesters.
The exact curriculum depends on the university, but it normally includes basic medical sciences, clinical sciences, practical skills, supervised clinical experience, hospital or community-based training, and final assessment requirements. Some universities also include clinical clerkships, final work, simulation, case-based learning, or early clinical exposure.
5. How many medical schools are in Portugal?
The official DGES and university sources show eleven medical-degree providers or announced medicine programs in Portugal. These include long-established programs such as the University of Lisbon, NOVA Medical School, University of Coimbra, University of Porto, University of Minho, University of Beira Interior, and University of Algarve, as well as private or newer providers such as Católica Medical School, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, and new 2026/2027 entries at the University of Aveiro and UTAD.
Because “medical school” can refer to a university, a faculty, or a specific academic unit, and because new programs and vacancies may change by year, the best source is the current DGES course guide and each university’s official medicine admissions page.
6. How difficult is it to study medicine in Portugal?
Medicine in Portugal is demanding because the degree is long, regulated, and includes a large amount of theoretical, practical, and clinical training. The difficulty will depend on your academic preparation, Portuguese and/or English ability, study habits, clinical communication skills, and the structure of the university you choose. Before applying, review the study plan, language rules, assessment methods, clinical placement expectations, and student support services at each institution.
7. What do you need to become a doctor after you study medicine in Portugal?
After completing the Integrated Master’s Degree in Medicine, you must register with the Portuguese Medical Association, the Ordem dos Médicos, to use the professional title and practice as a doctor in Portugal. The required documents depend on your nationality and where your academic or professional training was obtained.
If you want to use a medical specialty title in Portugal, registration in the relevant specialty college of the Ordem dos Médicos is also required after completing the appropriate medical internship or specialty training. Specialist registration is not automatic. International graduates or doctors with foreign qualifications may need recognition or equivalence documents and may need to prove Portuguese language ability, depending on their situation.
I hope this article was helpful. If you are interested, check the Available Courses in Europe for International Students and the Europe Scholarships Page.
