Study Visa (Students)
For students who have been accepted by a university, polytechnic, language school or other recognised educational institution in Portugal.
Documents and steps
Make sure you have a letter of acceptance from an institution recognised by the Portuguese Ministry of Education.
Letter of acceptance from the institution
dges.gov.pt (for higher education)
The institution must be recognised in Portugal. For higher education, check the DGES website (Directorate-General for Higher Education).
Proof of enrolment or confirmed pre-registration
Valid passport (original + copies)
Must be valid for longer than the study period
2 passport-style photos
Letter of acceptance from the institution
Proof of financial means
Reference: €920/month (2026 minimum wage). In higher education the amount is halved if your accommodation is guaranteed, and reduced by up to 90% if meals are also guaranteed. A scholarship or a statement of responsibility from your parents counts. CPLP citizens admitted to higher education are exempt.
Proof of accommodation in Portugal
University residence, rental contract, or a hosting statement from a relative/friend
Criminal record certificate
Max. 3 months old
From your country of origin. Apostilled and translated if needed.
Health insurance or access to the SNS
Many universities offer health insurance for students. Check with your institution.
Previous academic certificates
Secondary school diploma or bachelor's degree (apostilled and translated). Needed to confirm you are qualified for the course.
Visa fee
Cost: €110
National visa fee: €110 (exempt: children up to 6, among others). Paid at the consulate or the external provider (VFS). Not refunded if the visa is refused.
NIF
Tax Authority (Finanças)
Cost: Free
Needed for a bank account, private tutoring, part-time work, etc.
Registering with the SNSoptional
Health centre for the area where you live
Cost: Free
Students have access to the National Health Service. Bring your passport + proof of enrolment.
Student card from the institutionoptional
Issued by the university/school. Gives access to discounts and academic services.
AIMA appointment
Within the 4 months your visa is valid. Some universities have their own desks or support for international students.
Proof of current enrolment
A statement from the university confirming you are a student in the current academic year
Passport, NIF, proof of address, proof of funds, criminal record, health insurance
AIMA fees
Cost: ≈ €133 (application) + €114.30 (card)
AIMA fee table in force since 1/03/2026. Amounts may change — check aima.gov.pt before paying.
📎 Need to prepare your documents as PDFs?
Free tools from pdfyr, by the creator of Portugal Imigrante. The site is in Portuguese, but the tools are simple to use. Files are processed on servers in the EU and deleted automatically.
Important notes
- •Information checked in September 2026 against the official sources listed at the end. Immigration rules changed a lot in 2025–2026 — always confirm with the consulate or AIMA before you go ahead.
- •Students with a residence permit can work, as a rule part-time and in a way that fits with their studies. Confirm the conditions with AIMA.
- •When you finish your course there are specific rules for staying on to work in Portugal. The job-seeker visa is now only for qualified work (Law 61/2025) — find out before your permit expires.
- •Many Portuguese universities have international student offices that help with the visa process.
- •Erasmus+ has a different process — ask the international relations office at your home university.
- •Scholarships: check FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) and Camões, I.P. Students with a Portuguese state scholarship are exempt from the visa fee.
Other visas and permits
Still have a question about this visa?
Ask the community — other immigrants have been through the same, and you will get an email when someone replies. Most answers are in Portuguese.
This information is based on the official AIMA and MNE requirements (2026). The Portuguese version and the official portals prevail — always check them before you act.