Student in Portugal

Conditions

To study in Portugal, you must obtain a residence visa and a residence permit.

You must be admitted to a higher education institution or in a secondary education school.

Procedures

Where to apply

Residence visa

You may apply for a residence visa at the embassy or consulate in the country of origin or residence.

A residence visa does not automatically grant you a right of residence but allows you to enter Portugal for the purpose of applying for a residence permit, if the requirements are met.

Documents required

In general, you must prove that you have sufficient means of subsistence, travel insurance and a return ticket.

Higher education

For higher education, you must hold a valid travel document and if you are under 18, you must prove you have parental consent. You must have been admitted to the higher education institution.

Secondary education

For secondary education, you must:

• hold a valid travel document;
• be between 14 and 21 years old;
• prove you have parental consent if you are under 18;
• be admitted to a secondary education institution;
• be hosted for the duration of the stay by a family that satisfies the conditions established by the exchange programme or have otherwise ensured your accommodation.

Refusal of visa

The residence visa will be refused if you have been the subject of an order to leave Portugal and are applying while the prohibition period is still running or if you are listed in the Schengen Information System or in the SEF's Integrated Information System.

Duration of validity of permits

The residence visa allows you to stay in Portugal for four months so that you can submit an application for a residence permit at the SEF.

As a general rule, a temporary residence permit is valid for one year, renewable for successive periods of two years.

For 2020 and 2021, by a provisional measure, a temporary residence permit is valid for two years, renewable for successive periods of three years.

Where to apply

Temporary residence permit

A temporary residence permit is an official document issued by the SEF that allows you to live in Portugal for a specific period of time. You must submit the application to the SEF .

Documents required

Higher education

For higher education, you must present a confirmation of enrolment, payment of fees at the relevant institution and sufficient means of subsistence. You must be covered by the national health service or have a health insurance.

Evidence of the means of subsistence and evidence of tuition payment is not required to students of higher education admitted in a higher education institution approved under Ordinance No. 111/2019, of April 12.

Secondary education

For secondary education, you must be enrolled in a secondary school and you must be covered by the national health service or have a health insurance.

Each category of student must also:

• have sufficient means of subsistence;
• have accommodation;
• be registered with the social security office;
• have no previous conviction for a criminal offence which in Portugal is punishable by a prison sentence of more than one year.

There must be no fact that would have prevented the grant of the visa, if it had been known by the authorities before the visa was issued.

Refusal

The residence permit will be refused if you have been the subject of an order to leave and you are applying while the period of prohibition to enter is still running or if you are listed in the Schengen Information System or in the SEF's Integrated Information System. It may be refused for reasons related to public order, public security or public health.

Validity of duration of permits

Higher education

A temporary residence permit for higher education is valid for one year, renewable for further periods of one year or for the duration of the period of study if it is less than one year.

Secondary education

A temporary residence permit for secondary education may not exceed the validity of one year but may be renewed for a further period of one year if the necessary conditions are still met.

Appeals

If your application for a residence permit is refused, you may challenge the decision before the administrative court. You will be notified of the refusal decision as well as the reasons for the decision, the right to appeal and the deadline for making an appeal.

The residence visa is cancelled if the application for a residence permit is refused.

Rights

Employment during studies

Secondary education students, unremunerated trainees and volunteers are not allowed to work with their residence permit.

Employment after studies

You can work as an employee or in self-employment after your studies once you apply for and obtain the necessary temporary residence permit.

Family reunification

If you hold a residence permit for study or student exchange or if you are an unremunerated trainee or volunteer, you are entitled to family reunification with:

• your spouse;
• your minor or dependent children and those of the spouse;
• your adopted minor children.

Long-term residence

The stay is taken into account, by half, in calculating the period of residence to be eligible for long-term/permanent residence.