Application for residence permit in Portugal

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If you are not an EU/EEA student and you plan to study in Portugal for a period of time longer than 3 months, you have to apply for a residence permit. Please, observe that the residence permit is only temporary and intended to register students while enrolled at university or college in Portugal and must be renewed every year. Students from certain countries must also apply for a Schengen Visa to enter Europe.
[Click here to view the list of countries whose citizens don't need a visa to enter Europe]

What documents do you need to apply for a residence permit in Portugal?

• The filled-in application form that can be obtained at the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country
  

    You need to be registered to locate your nearest Portuguese embassy/consulate. Click here to login. Not a member yet? Click here to create your account now

• The letter of acceptance from your higher education institution indicating that you have been admitted to full-time studies
• A copy of the pages in your passport where personal data can be read
• Three recent passport-sized photos
• Police record of good conduct
• A copy of your health insurance plan
• A bank statement or copy of your grant/scholarship stating you can support yourself financially throughout your time as a student in Portugal

How much does it cost to apply for a residence permit in Portugal?

The application fee for a residence visa ("visto para residência") is 80 EUR and the application for a residence permit in Portugal is 60 EUR. EU students are charged a fee of 7 EUR when applying for an EU citizen residence card ("Cartão de Residência para Cidadão Comunitário")
Fees valid for 2010

Where do you apply for a residence permit in Portugal?

We may differentiate three types of students:

• • If you are not an EU student, you are required to apply for a so called residence visa ("visto para residência") before entering Portugal at the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country. The residence visa allows you to enter Portuguese territory in order to apply for a residence permit.
  

    You need to be registered to download the application form for a residence permit in Portugal (non-EU students who need visa to enter the country or Europe). Click here to login. Not a member yet? Click here to create your account now

• • If you are not an EU student and you are exempted from the visa requirement, you may apply upon your arrival to Portugal at your nearest Aliens and Borders Service ("Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteras").
  

    You need to be registered to download the application form for a residence permit in Portugal (non-EU students that don't need visa to enter the country or Europe). Click here to login. Not a member yet? Click here to create your account now

• • If you are an EU student, you are required to apply for an EU citizen residence card ("Cartão de Residência para Cidadão Comunitário") at your nearest SEF office (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteras - Aliens and Borders Service) or at the municipality offices where you are residing. EU students are requested to apply for a residence card within 4 months of their arrival to Portugal.
  

    You need to be registered to download the application form for an EU citizen residence card in Portugal. Click here to login. Not a member yet? Click here to create your account now

How much is the minimum financial subsistence requirement?

How long does it take to process an application for a residence visa?

Although the time an application is processed may vary depending on the workload, the estimated processing time is no more than 60 days. In any case, we always recommend to apply for your visa to study in Portugal with plenty of time in advance before your departure.

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