Brazilian students apply directly to Portuguese universities — there is no central admissions authority equivalent to UCAS or Vestibular. Each university maintains its own application portal and sets its own deadlines, document requirements, and evaluation criteria. Brazilian academic credentials are well-recognized in Portugal through the CPLP framework and ENIC-NARIC Portugal, and some universities accept Brazilian ENEM scores as a pathway to undergraduate admission. The process is more straightforward for Brazilians than for most other non-EU nationalities because the shared language eliminates sworn translation entirely.
Application Process for Brazilian Students
- Choose your program and university: Check university websites directly — Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa), Universidade do Porto (UP), Universidade de Coimbra, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA), ISCTE, and Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) are the top public options. studyinportugal.pt and dges.mec.pt list all accredited programs.
- Check whether the university accepts ENEM: Several Portuguese universities — including the University of Porto and institutions affiliated with the Acesso com ENEM program — accept ENEM scores as an alternative to the Portuguese secondary-exit examination (Exame Nacional) for undergraduate applicants. Verify with each target university, as participation varies by faculty.
- Prepare documents for undergraduate entry: Diploma do Ensino Médio (with Histórico Escolar), CPF, passport/RG, ENEM results (if applicable). For Master's/PhD: undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts and degree certificate, research proposal (for doctoral programs), motivation letter, and two reference letters.
- Apostille documents in Brazil: Since 2016, Brazil is a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention. Apostilles are issued by designated cartórios de notas (notary offices) in Brazil — cost approximately R$50–200 per document. For federal documents, apostilles may be issued by the issuing federal body. No sworn translation (tradução juramentada) is needed — Portuguese documents are accepted as-is in Portugal.
- Submit applications: Most programs have February–May deadlines for an October start; a second round of February-intake programs may close in October–November. Apply to 3–5 programs. Pay any application fees via international card or bank transfer.
- After admission letter: Proceed immediately to student visa application at the Portuguese consulate closest to your Brazilian city of residence.
Brazilian Credential Recognition in Portugal
| Ensino Médio (Brazilian secondary) | Recognized for undergraduate entry; ENEM scores accepted at participating universities |
|---|---|
| Bacharelado (Brazilian bachelor's, 4-year) | Recognized for Master's entry; ENIC-NARIC Portugal can confirm equivalence |
| Licenciatura (Brazilian teaching degree) | Recognized for Master's entry; may require ENIC-NARIC equivalência for some programs |
| Mestrado (Brazilian master's) | Recognized for doctoral program entry |
| Regulated professions (medicine, law, engineering) | Equivalência processed by the relevant Ordem (Ordem dos Médicos, Ordem dos Engenheiros, etc.) — separate from university admissions |
| Apostille | Brazilian cartório apostille sufficient — no sworn translation needed (same language) |
| ENIC-NARIC Portugal | naric.dges.mec.pt — free credential recognition tool; universities may also accept it directly |
Top Portuguese Universities for Brazilian Students
- Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa) — largest in Portugal; strong in sciences, law, medicine, architecture, and social sciences; Lisbon campus
- Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) — part of ULisboa; top engineering and technology school in Portugal; strong research ties with Brazil in aerospace, energy, and computing
- Universidade do Porto (UP) — second-largest; excellent engineering (FEUP), medicine (ICBAS), sciences, and management; Porto campus
- Universidade de Coimbra — oldest in Portugal (founded 1290, UNESCO World Heritage); strong in law, pharmacy, sciences, and humanities; iconic university city
- Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA) — strong in economics, management (NOVA SBE ranked in FT), public health, and sciences; Lisbon
- ISCTE – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa — particularly strong for business, social sciences, and architecture; research-active institution in Lisbon
- Universidade do Minho (Braga) — strong in engineering, informatics, and biomedicine; affordable city with a strong student culture
- Universidade de Aveiro — excellent for engineering, technology, and language sciences; compact, affordable university city
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — several Portuguese universities have created direct entry pathways for Brazilian students using ENEM scores as a substitute for the Portuguese Exame Nacional (secondary school exit exam). The University of Porto, for example, has had an ENEM-based access program. However, not all universities or all faculties participate, and minimum score thresholds vary by program. Check with each university's divisão académica (academic services office) directly, as these programs are updated annually.
No — because both countries use Portuguese, sworn translations (tradução juramentada) are not required. You will, however, need your documents apostillado (apostilled) by a designated cartório in Brazil. The apostille certifies the authenticity of the document's signatures and stamps so it is accepted in a foreign country. The apostille itself is written in Portuguese and is recognized in Portugal without further translation.
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