Study in Portugal for Indian Students: Top Universities, Courses, Costs, Scholarships & Placements

Discover Universities, Courses, Eligibility, Scholarships & More


Last Updated on 18th November 2025

Portugal

Study in Portugal Overview

Study in Portugal offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and postdoctoral programmes to international students, including those from India. The popular courses offered by the Universities in Portugal are MBBS, sciences, social sciences, MBA and business studies. 

Read Also: Study MBBS in Europe for Indian Students

The tuition fee for international students in Portugal ranges from €3000 to €12,500 (₹3,06,687 to ₹12,77,775). All the courses offered to the foreign students are based on the European academic standard. Due to this, all courses offered by the Portuguese universities are internationally recognisable, and the degrees earned from the universities in Portugal are globally acceptable. 

Read Also: Affordable MBBS Universities in Europe

India Today has reported that, because of its affordable tuition facility compared to other European countries, a friendly student visa system, student-friendly scholarships and increasing English-taught courses, Portugal is becoming a top-choice country among foreign students as a study abroad destination

The top universities in Portugal are:

  • The University of Lisbon 
  • The University of Porto 
  • The University of Aveiro
  • The University of Coimbra 
  • The University of Minho
  • The NOVA University Lisbon


Study In Portugal: Quick Highlights

The table below portrays the study in Portugal quick highlights.

Particulars 

Details 

Top Universities 

  • The University of Lisbon 
  • The University of Porto 
  • The University of Aveiro
  • The University of Coimbra 
  • The University of Minho
  • The NOVA University Lisbon

Language

English and Portuguese 

Popular Courses 

MBBS, sciences, social sciences, MBA and business studies

Admission Intake 

Fall and Spring 

Scholarship 

Portugal Government Scholarship

Tuition Fees 

€3000 to €12,500 (₹3,06,687 to ₹12,77,775)

Entrance Exam 

Average Living Cost 

€11,000 (₹11,23,925 Apprpox)

Key Beneifts 

  • Not mandatory IELTS
  • Affordable living costs compared to other European countries 
  • High Quality Education
  • Reputed Universities 


Why Study In Portugal?     

Enrolling on any university in Portugal helps the Indian students to explore various world-class European-standard courses. The points below are the reasons behind choosing Portugal as the study abroad destination for Indian students. 

  • Globally-recognised courses at affordable courses

All the universities in Portugal provide high-quality education to both domestic and international students. At the same time, the foreign students who belong to non native English speaking countries do not need to sit for the IELTS exam for all courses to secure a seat at any Portuguese university. 

  • Low-cost living

The living cost in Portugal is low, and for this, the foreign students, including the students from India, can have the facility of living an affordable life in Portugal while studying.   

  • Safe environment

The entire Portuguese society offers a safe environment to the people, irrespective of their races. Due to this, the international students get a friendly and safe environment. 

  • IELTS is not mandatory

In Portugal, IELTS is not mandatory for all courses. Due to this, it becomes easier for Indian students to apply for courses in any Portuguese university. 

  • Growing job market

Currently, the job market in Portugal is growing. According to the European Union, the growth rate of the Portuguese job market is increasing at the same rate a the EU-27. Therefore, it ensures future job opportunities for international students.


Study In Portugal: Popular Courses In Portugal 

The table below portrays the popular courses in Portugal for international students. 

MBBS, sciences, social sciences, MBA and business studies

Course

Average Fees (Euro)

Average Fees (INR)

MBBS

€7,000-€12,000

₹7,16,100-₹12,27,600 (Approx)

Science 

€6,000-€7,500

₹6,13,728-₹7,67,160 (Approx) 

Social Sciences 

€3,000-€4,000

₹3,06,906-₹4,09,208 (Approx)

MBA 

€30,000

₹30,67,980 (Approx) 

Business Studies 

€4,000-€5,000

₹4,09,208-₹5,11,510 (Approx)


Study In Portugal: Admission Intakes 

The table below portrays the admission intakes at various universities in Portugal. 

Intakes 

Application Start 

Application Deadline

Fall 

September 2026 

May 2026 

Spring 

February/March 2026 

November 2026


Study In Portugal: Admission Process 

The following points are details about the admission process. The foreign students need to follow to take admission to any university in Portugal.  

  • Selecting the programme: The international students need to visit the official websites of the universities in Portugal to select their preferred courses. During this stage, the international students need to cross-check the course durations, required entrance exams, scholarships and the course fees to avoid any problem while applying. 
  • Admission Intake: In Portugal, international students apply to the universities during the admission intake. In Portugal, most of the public and private universities follow fall and spring intakes. The students need to start applying for their courses in the respective intakes they consider convenient for them.    
  • Preparing the necessary documents: The authenticity and validity of the applications of the international students depend on the documents submitted by them. The foreign students should arrange all the necessary documents and which include Authentic Passports, Visa (Portugal Type D Visa, Residency Visa), and IELTS Scorecard (If necessary), and MOI Certificate (If necessary).
  • Application submission: The students need to submit their applications online. During the time of submission, they need to cross-check everything.


Study in Portugal: Documents Required 

The following are the required documents for international students seeking to study in Portugal. 

  • Portugal Type D Visa or Residency Visa
  • Temporary Residence Permit 
  • Medical Insurance Documents 
  • The letter of mediation 
  • Evidence of accommodation
  • Evidence of financial means 
  • Tax clearance certificate 

Study in Portugal Admission Process

Study In Portugal: Eligibility Criteria

The table below portrays the eligibility criteria that the foreign students need to follow. 

Course

Academic Eligibility 

MBBS

Passing 10+2 with physics, chemistry and biology 

Sciences 

Depends on the levels. Passing 10+2 for UG level and completing undergraduate degree for PG courses 

MBA

Passing an undergraduate degree in any stream


Study In Portugal: Visa Process

The following points are the step-by-step process for international students seeking to pursue higher education in Portugal.

Step 1: Obtaining the admission letter 

The international students need to obtain the admission letter from the respective universities in Portugal. After receiving the admission letter, the students need to proceed with the further steps. 

Step 2: Preparing the required documents 

After receiving the admission letter from the respective universities, the students need to arrange the necessary documents below:

  • Passport
  • Visa (Portugal Type D Visa, Residency Visa)
  • Passport-Size Photos 
  • Evidence of financial status 
  • Medical Insurance 

Step 3: Apply to the embassy 

After filling visa application form, the students need to submit those along with all the necessary documents to the Portugal embassy in their respective countries. Along with applying, the students need to pay the visa fee.       

Step 4: Wait for the visa approval

After submitting everything, the international students need to wait for the visa approval. 


Top Exams for Admission to Universities in Portugal 

The table below demonstrates the top exams required for taking admission at the universities in Portugal.

Exam 

Course level 

Minimum Required Score 

NEET 

UG

Only passing the exam 

IELTS

Both UG and PG

5.5 to 6.5

--

Universities

1380 EUR

Cost of Living

2

Work permit duration

75000

International Students

Portugal

Top Universities in Portugal

Based on the courses and fees along with career prospects, students across the world decide which country to go to pursue their higher education.  The same is applicable to Portugal also. The table below demonstrates the details of the leading universities in Portugal

Universities 

Location 

Popular Courses 

The University of Lisbon 

Lisbon 

Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Arts, Human Kinetics and Law

The University of Porto 

Porto

Architecture, Fine Arts, Science, Law and Sports

The University of Aveiro 

Aveiro 

Basic Education, Aerospace Engineering, Automation and manufacturing systems, economics, commercial management and finance

The University of Coimbra 

Coimbra 

Bachelor's in Geology, Bachelor's in Anthropology, Bachelor's in Civil Engineering, Bachelor's in Environmental Engineering, Master’s degree in Curatorial Studies, Master's in Mining and Geological Engineering, and PhD.   

The University of Minho 

Braga and Guimaraes 

Bachelor's in Accounting, Bachelor's in Biochemistry, Bachelor's in Applied Biology, Bachelor's in Computer Science, and Bachelor's in Criminology 

The NOVA University Lisbon 

Lisbon 

Science and Technology, Social Sciences and Humanities, Business and Economics, Medical, Law and Management

Portugal

Cost Of Studying in Portugal

Knowing the cost of studying in Portugal is also mandatory for Indian students. The table below contains the information regarding the cost of studying in Portugal. 

Programme Type 

Tuition Fee (Euro)

Tuition Fee (INR)

All Programmes 

€950-€5500

₹56,654 to ₹9,79,792 (Approx)

Portugal

Cost of Living In Portugal

Apart from the cost of studying, international students need to know about the living costs in Portugal. The table below gives a brief idea of the same. 

Expense Category 

Average Living Cost (Euro)

Average Living Cost (INR)

Accommodation 

€350-€1320

₹36,122-₹1,36,231 (Approx)

Food & Groceries 

€250-€550

₹25,801-₹56,763 (Approx)

Transportation 

€40-€150

₹4,128-₹15,480 (Approx)

Utilities 

€100-€200

₹10,320-₹20,640 (Approx)

Miscellaneous 

€70-€300

₹7,224-₹30,960 (Approx)

Portugal

Study in Portugal Scholarships​ for Indian Students

The table below demonstrates the scholarship offered by the government of Portugal to international students. 

Scholarship Type 

Coverage 

Portugal Government Scholarship 

The Entire Tuition Fee and the monthly stipend of €1250 (₹1,28,889 Approx)


Also Check: 

Popular Study Abroad Destination 

Study in Ireland 

Study in the USA

Study in Russia 

Study in Canada 

Study in China 

Study in Kazakhstan 

Study in the UK

Study in Uzbekistan 

Study in Belarus 

Study in Bulgaria 

Study in Poland 

Study in Kyrgyzstan 

Study in Georgia

Study in Tajikistan 

Study in Barbados 

Study in Hungary 

Study in the Netherlands 

Study in Finland 

Study in Romania 

Study in Lithuania 

Study in Malta 

Study in Serbia 

Study in Germany 

Study in Austria 

Study in the UAE

Study in Belgium 

Study in Denmark 

Study in Greece 

Study in Portugal: FAQs


Ques: What are the degrees offered to international students in Portugal?

Ans: The types of degrees offered to international students in Portugal are:

  • Bachelor’s 
  • Master’s 
  • Doctoral Programmes 


Ques: What is the language of instruction for the students?

Ans: The language of instruction for the students is Portuguese for most of the Bachelor’s degrees, while for the Master’s degrees, the language of instruction is English. 


Ques: What is the procedure for applying to the universities in Portugal?

Ans: The application to the universities in Portugal is done through the centralised DGES system for the public universities.


Ques: What kinds of visas are offered to international students in Portugal?

Ans:  The kinds of visas offered to international students in Portugal are:

  • Portugal Type D Visa
  • Residency Visa


Ques: Can international students work while studying in Portugal?

Ans: Yes, international students can work while studying in Portugal, but not more than 20 hours a week. 


Ques: What is the average course fee for international students in Portugal?

Ans: The average course fee for international students in Portugal ranges from €3000 to €12,500 (₹3,06,687 to ₹12,77,775). 


Ques: What is the living cost for international students in Portugal?

Ans: The living costs for international students in Portugal are around €11,000. 


Ques: Can the student visa help international students to have permanent residency in Portugal?

Ans: No, the student visa cannot help international students to have permanent residency in Portugal. 


Ques: Is studying in Portugal free for international students?

Ans: No, studying in Portugal is not free for international students. 


Ques: Is the Portuguese society safe for international students?

Ans: Yes, the Portuguese society is safe for international students.   

CapitalLisbon
Universities-
States18
Timezones2
CurrencyEUR
Popular SportsFootball (soccer)