Cost Planner

Living Costs in Portugal for Students

Plan your budget effectively with this comprehensive breakdown of living expenses for international students in Portugal. From accommodation and food to transportation and recreation, understand the real costs of studying in Portugal.

Student Prices in Portugal 2026-27

Each price shows its own period

Room in a University of Porto (U.Porto) student residence (dorm), per monthEUR 198

Full meal at a U.Porto canteen, per mealEUR 2.95

Metro area transport pass, Lisbon or Porto, per monthEUR 40

Vodafone Ready mobile plan with 55 GB, per 4 weeksEUR 10

Prices are in euro (EUR). Housing and meal prices are for the University of Porto and the University of Minho. Transport prices are for Lisbon and Porto.

Monthly Costs, Item by Item

Real prices for the main costs of student life.

Housing

U.Porto student residence, all students except international master'sEUR 198 a month

Room in a University of Porto student residence (dorm).

U.Porto student residence, international master'sEUR 212.50 to EUR 290 a month

Shared room: EUR 212.50 a month each. Single room: EUR 290 a month.

University of Minho (UMinho) student residenceEUR 165 to EUR 195 a month

Price for students without a grant, Portuguese or foreign.

Your biggest cost. University student residence rooms are the cheapest.

Housing Tip

Ask your university about student residence (dorm) rooms early. At U.Porto, places for international students are limited.

Food

Full meal, U.Porto canteenEUR 2.95
Simple meal (bread and main dish), U.Porto canteenEUR 2.45

Prices for U.Porto students.

Food Tip

University canteens are cheap. A full meal is soup, bread, a main dish and a dessert.

Transport

Lisbon metro area pass (navegante)EUR 40 a month
Porto metro area pass (Andante)EUR 40 a month
Lisbon single bus and metro ticketEUR 1.90

Monthly passes save money if you travel every day.

Transport Tip

If you are 23 or younger, ask for the free monthly pass in Porto. If you are 24 or younger, ask for the 100% discount in Lisbon.

Phone

Vodafone Ready 55 GBEUR 10 per 4 weeks
MEO SIM card (prepaid: you add credit before you use it)EUR 2.50

Mobile plans and SIM cards.

Phone Tip

You get a Vodafone Ready plan when you buy the SIM card.

Prices in Student Cities

Student prices for housing, food and transport.

City	Housing (shared)	Food	Transport
Porto (U.Porto)	EUR 198 a month in a student residence (dorm) room	EUR 2.95 a full canteen meal	EUR 40 a month (metro area pass); EUR 30 a month (city only pass)
Lisbon	-	-	EUR 40 a month (metro area pass); EUR 1.90 a single ticket
Braga (University of Minho)	EUR 165 to EUR 195 a month in a student residence (per bed), without a grant	-	-

Cheaper Housing

University student residences cost much less than private rooms, but places are limited. At U.Porto, students with scholarships get rooms first.

Housing Cost Factors

Private student residences often include electricity, water and heating in the rent.

Ways to Save

Simple ways to keep costs down.

Housing

Apply for a room in a student residence (dorm).
Share a flat with other students.

Food

Eat at university canteens.

Transport

Get the free pass in Porto if you are 23 or younger, or the 100% discount in Lisbon if you are 24 or younger.

Find more student discounts

Caixa ISIC card

Free youth transport pass

Costs People Forget

Plan for these on top of rent and food.

First Weeks

Residence permit (the card that lets you stay) from the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA)

EUR 99.80, then EUR 85.80

EUR 99.80 when AIMA checks your request, then EUR 85.80 when the permit is granted. You pay both for each permit.

Rent up front

First and last month's rent

Common in Porto when you rent a flat.

Residence permit renewal

A renewal has the same fees as a first permit: EUR 99.80 when AIMA checks your request, then EUR 85.80 when the permit is granted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Short answers about money for daily life in Portugal.

How much money should I plan for each month?

For the visa you must show money. The amount is based on Portugal's minimum monthly wage (the lowest pay allowed by law for a full-time job): EUR 920 a month in 2026. Your real costs depend on your city and your housing.