Study visa: how to come to Portugal as a student
Studying in Portugal from outside the EU: who needs a study visa, admission documents, proof of means and housing, and working while studying.
What this guide will cover
- Who needs a study visa
- Admission and documents
- Proof of means and housing
- After arrival
- Working while studying
Official sources
We check our guides against these official pages. If something has changed, the official source wins.
- Portuguese Visa Portal (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) vistos.mne.gov.pt
- DGES — Directorate-General for Higher Education dges.gov.pt
Need help?
Official bodies and services related to this guide. Sponsored listings are always labelled.
- Official Immigration & residency
AIMA — Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum
The public agency that handles residence permits and renewals for non-EU nationals. It took over these functions from the former immigration service, SEF, in 2023. Start here for current procedures and appointment channels.
- Languages
- Portuguese, English
- Where
- Nationwide
- Official Immigration & residency
Portuguese Visa Portal (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Official information on national (D) and short-stay visas, the documents required and applying through consulates abroad.
- Languages
- Portuguese, English
- Where
- Nationwide · online
- Official Immigration & residency
gov.pt — Public Services Portal (formerly ePortugal)
The government's single entry point for public services, with step-by-step guides to registrations and certificates, and the list of in-person Citizen Spots (Espaços Cidadão).
- Languages
- Portuguese, English
- Where
- Nationwide · online
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