Portugal · Student Visa
Student visa categories, eligibility, required documents, work rights, and application steps.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Non-EU students staying longer than 90 days need a Portuguese student visa first and then a residence permit for study, based on admission to a higher-education institution, proof of funds and health insurance. The visa comes from the Portuguese consulate; residence is handled by AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum — note that many older guides still name SEF, which AIMA replaced. EU/EEA/Swiss students need no visa.
Non-EU students staying longer than 90 days need a student visa and then a residence permit for study in Portugal, based on admission to a higher-education institution, proof of funds and health insurance. EU/EEA/Swiss students do not need a visa. The visa is obtained via the Portuguese consulate; residence is handled by AIMA (the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum).
- Non-EU students need a student visa (then a residence permit) based on admission, funds and insurance.
- EU/EEA/Swiss students do not need a visa.
- The visa is via the consulate; residence is handled by AIMA.
- 1
Secure admission to a higher-education institution
The visa is built on admission. Confirm the institution and programme before starting the consular process.
- 2
Apply for the student visa at the consulate
The Portuguese consulate issues the student visa. Prepare admission documents, proof of funds and health insurance for the application.
- 3
Plan the residence-permit step with AIMA
The visa gets you in; residence is handled by AIMA. Identify the AIMA process before arrival — this is the agency that replaced SEF, so older instructions may point you to the wrong body.
- 4
Prepare funds and insurance evidence
Both the visa and the residence stage rest on proof of funds and health insurance. Keep originals and copies for the second stage as well as the first.
- 5
Check whether you are exempt
EU, EEA and Swiss students do not need a visa. If that applies to you, the consular stage is not part of your path.
- Admission to a higher-education institution confirmed
- Student visa applied for at the Portuguese consulate
- AIMA residence process identified before arrival
- Proof of funds prepared for both stages
- Health insurance arranged
- Nationality checked against the EU/EEA/Swiss exemption
- Guidance sourced from AIMA rather than legacy SEF pages
- AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum)
Official immigration/residence authority.
Frequently asked questions
Is it SEF or AIMA that handles residence in Portugal?
AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, which replaced SEF. Many guides and forum posts still say SEF, so use AIMA's own pages to avoid following instructions for a body that no longer performs the function.
Do I need both a visa and a residence permit?
For stays over 90 days, yes — the consulate issues the student visa, and once in Portugal you obtain a residence permit for study through AIMA. Treat them as two stages with separate documentation.
Do EU students need a Portuguese student visa?
No. EU, EEA and Swiss students do not need a visa to study in Portugal. Non-EU students staying longer than 90 days need the visa and then the residence permit.
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