Study and Living Expenses in Portugal for International Students

Portugal is the western most country of Europe which shares borders only with Spain. It is popular for delicious cuisine, historical architecture, idyllic weather, beaches and affordable living cost. Because of Portugal being a Schengen state and European Union member, the Portuguese visas both tourist and studies are powerful and come with visa free entry into 24 European Schengen States. Moreover, the ever so improving and modernizing higher education sector of Portugal offers plethora of English taught programmes to international students in a very reasonable tuition fee. Among other European countries, the cost of living in Portugal is affordable and the quality of life is high standard with accessible health care facilities and well developed transportation system. The cost of living and study is estimated in the below section for the students interested to study abroad in Portugal:

The tuition fee in Portugal is different for each academic level and study programme. In general the tuition fee for medicine, veterinary and engineering courses is most expensive and other courses such as arts related and literature is cheap cost. Moreover, the tuition fees in public universities of Portugal are almost half in cost than private universities. The public universities accept fee annually whereas the private universities have an option of paying monthly tuition fee. Based on your academic excellence and records, you might even get full scholarship from private universities of Portugal. But, considering the affordability factor, public universities of Portugal are most suitable option.

Tuition fee at Portuguese Public Universities 2024:

Average Tuition Fee of Under Graduate Programme: Starting from 950 Euros to Maximum 1,250 Euros per academic year.

Average Tuition Fee of Post Graduate (Masters) Programme: Similar to Under Graduate Programme the Tuition Fee is around 950 to 1,250 Euros per year.

Average Tuition fee of Post Graduate (PhD) Programme: The tuition fee may range from 2,500 Euros to 3,000 Euros per year.

In Coimbra city, all the public universities offer the cheapest cost tuition fee, for under graduate and post graduate (Masters) programmes the average is around 700 EUR per academic year.

Tuition fee at Portuguese Private Universities 2024:

Average Tuition fee of Under Graduate Programme: It will range from 2,600 Euros to 3,200 Euros per Year.

Average Tuition fee of Post Graduate (Masters) Programme: It will be around 3,100 to 3,872 per year.

Average Tuition fee of Post Graduate (PhD) Programme: It will be around 3,323 Euros to 3,872 Euros per year.

The cost of living in Portugal is one of the cheapest in European countries. The cost of accommodation rent, food and transportation all could be managed in the budget of 500 to 800 Euros per month. The cost of living varies in different cities and locations but overall the cost is not expensive. Lisbon the capital city of Portugal is the most expensive whereas the smaller cities as Porto and Coimbra are least expensive. The noticeable low average cost of living in Portugal captivates a large number of international students to study in Portugal and the permission to work part time helps students to earn some extra money to bear their expenses.

Accommodation Cost:

The accommodation in Portugal is high standard and affordable at the same time. It will vary from location to location and also depend on the facilities offered and size of the accommodation. The university offered residence is the cheapest cost accommodation option for students as the utility bills are included in the monthly rent. The rents of different types of accommodation for international students in Portugal are enlisted below:

University’s Offered Halls of Residence: A single private room in halls of residence will cost you between 165 and 300 EUR per month including utility bills.

Studio Apartment with One Bed Room: The monthly rent will be around 530 and 600 Euros not including the utility bills.

Home Stay: Living with a local family in their house on monthly rent of 500 EUR/month with one time meal included.

Three Bedroom Apartment: If the students want to live in three bedrooms apartment and share rents and utility bills it will cost around 727.50 € to 1,099.89 €.

Food:

Portugal is famous for happening restaurants and blend of various delicious cuisines. Traditional Portuguese food is blends of seafood, meats and sausages. As an international student living in abroad you cannot to afford to eat out regularly but when living in country like Portugal, it is not as expensive. The average cost of food beverages in Portugal are enlisted here:

• Basic menu meal for one person in an inexpensive restaurant: 8 Euros

• Basic menu meal for two persons in mediocre restaurant: 30 Euros

• Combo meal for one person in McDonalds and McMeal or equivalent: 6 Euros

• Half liter water bottle: 0.89 Euros

• 1 liter milk bottle: 0.63 Euros

• A Loaf of fresh white bread: 1.12 Euros

• 1 Kg rice: 0.88 Euros

• Dozen eggs: 1.70 Euros

• 1 Kg local cheese: 7.26 Euros

• 1 Kg chicken breast: 5.38 Euros

• 1 Kg beef meat: 9.59 Euros

• 1 Kg Apples: 1.54 Euros

• 1 Kg Bananas: 1.21 Euros

• 1 kg Oranges: 1.18 Euros

• 1 Kg Tomatoes: 1.38 Euros

• 1 Kg Potatoes: 0.83 Euros

• 1 Kg Onions: 0.93 Euros

Transportation:

Public transportation such as metro trains and buses are common means of travelling in Portugal. They are fairly low cost and well organized. Bus or train station is located nearby every area of the cities, so there will be no problem in catching a public transport to reach your destination. The student discounts are offered in Public transports if you own a valid student card. The travel fares of public transport around the cities in Portugal are as follows:

• One way ticket in public transport: 1.50 Euros

• Monthly pass of public transport: 35 Euros

• Taxi tariff for 1 km travel: 0.47 Euros

Other Expenditures:

• Cost of utility bills (electricity, gas, water, heating) if not loving in halls of residence: 94 Euros per month

• Internet connection of 60 Mbps speed: 30.44 Euros per month

• Fitness club monthly subscription fee: 30 Euros

• Cinema ticket for one person: 6.70 Euros