🇵🇹 Portugal · Scholarships
Scholarships and financial aid for studying in Portugal — government, university, and international programs.
Quick answer
Portugal's scholarships for international students come mainly through the Camões Institute (language and cultural cooperation awards), the FCT for doctoral and research funding, and individual university scholarships. Explore options on the Camões, FCT and university sites and apply by each deadline.
For international students, scholarships in Portugal come mainly from individual universities, the Camões Institute (which supports Portuguese-language study and cooperation-country students), and EU programmes such as Erasmus+. The Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES) oversees higher education and can advise on funding and recognition.
- Scholarships come mainly from individual universities, the Camões Institute and EU programmes (Erasmus+).
- The Camões Institute supports Portuguese-language study and cooperation-country students.
- DGES oversees higher education and advises on funding and recognition.
Step-by-step
- 1
Map the funding landscape
Map Portuguese funding: the Camões Institute awards, the FCT (doctoral/research funding) and university scholarships.
- 2
Check eligibility and deadlines
Confirm eligibility (level, nationality, grades, language) and note that scholarship deadlines are often months before course start.
- 3
Prepare your documents
Prepare transcripts, a language-test score, reference letters, a strong personal statement and (for research) a proposal.
- 4
Apply to the scheme and university
Submit the scholarship application and, where required, a separate university/admission application by each deadline.
- 5
Interview, results and acceptance
Attend any interview or selection stage; if awarded, formally accept the scholarship and your study place.
- 6
Handle visa, funds and conditions
Apply for your student visa, arrange disbursement, and note any conditions such as progress requirements or a return/service obligation.
Checklist
- Funding sources identified (government / university / private)
- Eligibility + deadlines confirmed
- Transcripts + language test + references
- Personal statement / research proposal
- Scholarship + university applications submitted
- Interview / selection completed
- Offer accepted + funding terms understood
- Student visa + disbursement + any bond/return rules
Official authorities
- Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES)
Official higher-education authority.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Camões Institute?
Portugal’s body for language and cultural cooperation, which offers scholarships tied to Portuguese-language and cultural study.
How is doctoral research funded in Portugal?
Mainly through the FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology), which funds PhD studentships and research grants.
Do universities offer their own awards?
Yes — Portuguese universities have their own merit scholarships and fee reductions for international students.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- ePortugal — Citizen and business services incl. residence and foreign-resident matters
- Tax Portal (Portal das Finanças) — Portuguese income tax (IRS), VAT (IVA), and tax number (NIF)
- AICEP Portugal Global — Foreign investment and trade promotion