Study in Portugal: Housing & Living Costs

Saying Portugal is more affordable is one thing, but let's look into exactly what that looks like should you move there. From the price of rent and cinema tickets to the average cost of beer and beyond, we've compiled everything you need to know about budgeting for your study abroad experience in Portugal in one convenient place!

Student housing in Portugal

Portugal offers a variety of housing options for international students, from university-owned residences to private apartments and student halls run by private companies. The average prices for student housing and accommodation options are:

• University-owned student halls of residence: Averaging around €300 - 600 per month (sometimes lower depending on location);
• Renting a private room or apartment: Starting from €485 per month in Lisbon, and €400 in Porto;
• Student halls run by international operators: Starting at around €519 per month for a standard studio room.

No two accommodations are exactly alike, and depending on your preferences, each housing option has pros and cons. Read on to discover which housing option is right for you!

University-owned accommodation

Most universities own residence halls which are rented out to students. There is no centralized service for housing applications, so students hoping to rent a room in a university-owned hall should contact their institution's international or housing office to find out how to apply. Student housing is probably the easiest and most sociable option for students and will allow you to quickly make friends with Portuguese and international students alike.

University-owned accommodation is not as readily available in Portugal as it's elsewhere in Europe or North America. It's rare for a university to have a central campus with housing facilities on-site. Instead, accommodation is usually spread across a city or town, with the price corresponding to proximity to the university. There is a limited amount of student accommodation set aside for international students which may offered on a first come, first served basis. Once you've been accepted into an institution in Portugal, start your housing hunt as early as possible to keep your transition to your new home smooth and worry-free!

Renting a privately owned room or apartment

Another option for international students looking for accommodation in Portugal is renting a privately owned room or apartment. This is something that your university will usually be able to help you with. Contact your institution's housing office to get a hold of the resources they have available to help you find private accommodation.

Even with the low prices, many students opt to share an apartment to save money. This usually involves a private bedroom and shared kitchen, bathroom, and living facilities.

Student halls run by international operators

If you don't have any luck with getting accommodation in a university-owned hall, privately-owned residence halls are a growing alternative for international students looking for a place to stay while they study in Portugal. While the rents are slightly higher, these accommodations often offer more on-site amenities like fitness centers and storage rooms.

Living Costs in Portugal

Like most countries around the world, the cost of living in Portugal can fluctuate significantly depending on where you are. If you're studying in the seaside capital of Lisbon or in a tourist hub like the Algarve, you may run into higher prices than in other regions of Portugal. Despite these differences, no matter where you're studying in Portugal the cost of living is much friendlier towards your wallet in comparison to many other countries in Western Europe.

Average prices for some common student expenses include:

Learn more about studying in Portugal: