International students who plan on pursuing a Master in Portugal will most likely need a visa to study in Portugal. While a visa is not required for EU/EEA or Swiss citizens, you will need to register your stay with the local authorities. Non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizens need to apply for a student visa as well as a residence permit, by submitting documents including a valid passport, a letter of acceptance from your university, proof that you have paid the tuition fees, and proof of sufficient funds during your stay in Portugal, among others.

When it comes to working in Portugal, citizens from the EU are free to work in Portugal without a permit. However, they will need to apply for a residence permit within six months of moving to Portugal for employment. Non-EU students who wish to stay in Portugal post-graduation need to have an offer of employment to extend their residence.

Opening a Portuguese bank account is easy, safe, and necessary when it comes to receiving your salary and paying bills. There are currently over 150 banks in Portugal, including private national banks, international banks, public retail banks, and investment banks. The majority of banks in Portugal belong to the Portuguese Banking Association, while the central bank is the Banco de Portugal.

To open a bank account in Portugal, you’ll need to provide proof of ID, proof of address, and your Portuguese NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) number. Your NIF number is used for activities like paying taxes and getting a phone subscription.

Portugal offers a high quality of medical care, as well as efficiency and accessibility. Portugal has a nationalized healthcare system, which makes it easy for international students to access healthcare. In order to register for healthcare insurance in Portugal, you will need your NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) number, and documents such as a valid passport and Portuguese residence permit or visa (if applicable). International students from the EU/EEA can also obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access public healthcare.

Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in Europe, making it a budget-friendly option for international students. When it comes to student housing, international students can choose from university-owned student halls of residence, renting a private room or apartment, or student halls.

A room in a university-owned hall of residence typically costs EUR€400 per month, depending on location, while student halls (usually run by international companies) start from ERU€595 per month for a standard studio. Renting a private room or apartment starts at EUR€400 per month in Lisbon and EUR€300 per month in Porto.

Portugal has a transportation network that includes trains, buses, taxis, and ride-sharing services. Public commuters in Lisbon spend an average of 45 minutes on public transport every day. It is also very affordable – the country’s train system, for example, offers several discounts for booking in advance. A single-journey metro ticket in Lisbon costs US$1.90. Via the state-owned train operator, Comboios de Portugal (CP), you can travel across Portugal, between major cities like Lisbon, Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Faro, and Lagos. Students between the ages of 13 and 25 receive a 25% discount.

The Big Mac Index was invented by The Economist in 1986 as an informal way of measuring the purchasing power parity (PPP) between two currencies. The price of a Big Mac in Spain is EUR€4.10 (equivalent to US$4.40 and JP¥559). For US$50, you can buy 11 Big Macs.

Compared to other European countries, Portugal has a low cost of living – which doesn’t come at the expense of a good quality of life! For a single person, the estimated monthly costs are around EUR€540, excluding rent.