---
title: "Portugal Student permit requirements 2026: €920+/mo needed"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/student-higher-ed-91/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Portugal · Student

# Portugal Student permit

**Income needed:** €920+ a month ≈ $1,030

Residence authorization for higher-education students (Art. 91 REPSAE)

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Rule changed 18 May 2026](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/2026-05-18-portugal-c53a9d/) [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Income needed:** €920+ a month ≈ $1,030 (Income of at least EUR 920 a month (≈ $1,030) · Guaranteed minimum monthly wage for 2026, net of social-security contributions, shown for 12 months; reducible to half where accommodation is guaranteed, or by up to 90% where food is also guaranteed. A fee of EUR 133 (≈ $150) · Application review fee for the residence permit; EUR 99.80 when the application is filed digitally. A fee of EUR 114.3 (≈ $130) · Fee for granting or renewing the temporary residence permit; EUR 85.80 when applied for digitally. A fee of EUR 110 (≈ $120) · National visa processing fee. Holders of Portuguese state scholarships are exempt.)
- **First stay:** 3 yrs (The permit is valid three years and renewable in equal periods; it is issued for the programme length if shorter than three years. Mobility-programme students receive two years or the programme length.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals)
- **Work:** Yes (Holders may work, employed or self-employed, alongside their studies (Art. 97).)

## Key facts

Student permit is a student route for Portugal. Applicants need income of €920+ a month ≈ $1,030. You can stay 3 yrs, renewable. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** €920+ a month ≈ $1,030
- **Government fees:** €133 ≈ $150 · +2 more
- **Processing:** Up to 60 days
- **First stay:** 3 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: 3 government fees listed below; income to show €920+/mo ≈ $1,030; decision: up to 60 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: €133 ≈ $150 · +2 more**

- EUR 133 (≈ $150) Application review fee for the residence permit; EUR 99.80 (≈ $110) when the application is filed digitally.
- EUR 114.3 (≈ $130) Fee for granting or renewing the temporary residence permit; EUR 85.80 (≈ $96) when applied for digitally.
- EUR 110 (≈ $120) National visa processing fee. Holders of Portuguese state scholarships are exempt.

**Shown, not spent: €920+/mo ≈ $1,030**

- EUR 920 a month (≈ $1,030) Guaranteed minimum monthly wage for 2026, net of social-security contributions, shown for 12 months; reducible to half where accommodation is guaranteed, or by up to 90% where food is also guaranteed.

**Renewal: Renewable**

Valid three years and renewable for equal periods; issued for the programme length if that is shorter than three years.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) [AIMA](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/estudar/autorizacao-de-residencia-emitida-a-estudantes-do-ensino-superior-art-o-91)

**Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence**

Permanent residence needs five years on a temporary residence authorization. For EU long-term resident status, student years count at half (Art. 126(3)).

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis)

**Citizenship: After 10 years of residence**

Naturalisation needs 10 years of legal residence on any residence title or visa (7 years for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU states), plus Portuguese language and culture, and means of subsistence.

[Diário da República / Assembleia da República](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2026/05/09500/0000200020.pdf)

**Processing: Up to 60 days**

The consulate must decide a residence visa within 60 days; after arrival AIMA must decide the residence permit within 90 days, extendable by 30 in exceptional cases.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis)

**Where to apply: From abroad**

Get a study residence visa at the Portuguese consulate first, then apply to AIMA in Portugal for the residence permit.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) [AIMA](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/estudar/autorizacao-de-residencia-emitida-a-estudantes-do-ensino-superior-art-o-91)

**Presence rules: Stay rule**

A temporary permit can be cancelled if you are away from Portugal without good reason for 6 consecutive months or 8 months in total during its validity, unless you worked or ran a business abroad.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Applications are made from outside Portugal, not after arriving
- Needs a place at a school or university in Portugal
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant is accepted on a full-time higher-education programme in Portugal.
- The applicant holds a residence visa for study.

#### What you must show

- Means of subsistence of EUR920 (≈ $1,030) per month (2026 RMMG) for 12 months, net of social-security contributions.
- Students at approved institutions and Camoes scholarship holders are exempt from the means and tuition proof.
- Portuguese-speaking nationals admitted to higher education are exempt from proving means for the visa.

#### Documents

- Valid passport, authenticated criminal record and proof of address.
- Proof of enrolment and of tuition payment where applicable.
- Health insurance or National Health Service cover.

#### Steps

1. The consular visa is valid four months with two entries; the student then books an AIMA appointment.

#### After you arrive

- The permit is valid three years and renewable, or the programme length if shorter than three years.
- Mobility-programme students receive two years or the programme length if shorter.

## What happens at day 183

How Portugal decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **3 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** - **More than 183 days in any 12-month period starting or ending in the tax year** Residence by presence.
- **Foreign-source income:** Resident individuals are taxed on worldwide income, including foreign-source income, at progressive rates from 12.5% up to 48% on the 2026 brackets set by the 2026 State Budget (Lei 73-A/2025: first bracket up to EUR 8,342, (≈ $9,320) top rate above EUR 86,634 (≈ $96,800)), plus an additional solidarity rate of 2.5% on taxable income above EUR 80,000 (≈ $89,400) and 5% above EUR 250,000 (≈ $279,000); non-residents are taxed on Portuguese-source income.

[All tax rules for Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/tax/) Tax records checked 11 Oct 2026

## What you need to arrange

- **Health insurance** Health insurance or National Health Service cover
- **Accommodation** Valid passport, authenticated criminal record and proof of address
- **Police certificate and civil documents** Valid passport, authenticated criminal record and proof of address

Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.

**Full official text**

Residence authorization for third-country nationals admitted to a full-time higher-education programme. The holder may work alongside studying. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

#### What you must show and pay

- Income of at least EUR 920 a month (≈ $1,030) · Guaranteed minimum monthly wage for 2026, net of social-security contributions, shown for 12 months; reducible to half where accommodation is guaranteed, or by up to 90% where food is also guaranteed. (sources 3, 4)
- A fee of EUR 133 (≈ $150) · Application review fee for the residence permit; EUR 99.80 (≈ $110) when the application is filed digitally. (source 6)
- A fee of EUR 114.3 (≈ $130) · Fee for granting or renewing the temporary residence permit; EUR 85.80 (≈ $96) when applied for digitally. (source 6)
- A fee of EUR 110 (≈ $120) · National visa processing fee. Holders of Portuguese state scholarships are exempt. (source 7)

#### Requirements

- The applicant is accepted on a full-time higher-education programme in Portugal. (sources 2, 1)
- The applicant holds a residence visa for study. (sources 1, 2)
- Means of subsistence of EUR920 (≈ $1,030) per month (2026 RMMG) for 12 months, net of social-security contributions. (source 3)
- Students at approved institutions and Camoes scholarship holders are exempt from the means and tuition proof. (sources 1, 2)
- Portuguese-speaking nationals admitted to higher education are exempt from proving means for the visa. (source 5)
- Valid passport, authenticated criminal record and proof of address. (source 1)
- Proof of enrolment and of tuition payment where applicable. (source 1)
- Health insurance or National Health Service cover. (source 1)
- The consular visa is valid four months with two entries; the student then books an AIMA appointment. (source 2)
- The permit is valid three years and renewable, or the programme length if shorter than three years. (source 1)
- Mobility-programme students receive two years or the programme length if shorter. (source 1)

#### Stay

- The permit is valid three years and renewable in equal periods; it is issued for the programme length if shorter than three years. Mobility-programme students receive two years or the programme length.
- Initial permitted stay: 36 months.
- Visa validity: 4 months. Validity is the window to use the visa, not the length you may stay.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Nationality

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

#### Work

Holders may work, employed or self-employed, alongside their studies (Art. 97).

#### Family

Family reunification is limited to the spouse and minor or dependent children.

Checked 2026-10-12

## Official sources

1. [Residence authorization for higher-education students, Art. 91](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/estudar/autorizacao-de-residencia-emitida-a-estudantes-do-ensino-superior-art-o-91) · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Lei n.º 23/2007 (Foreigners Law, REPSAE), consolidated text current to Lei n.º 62/2026 of 10 September 2026](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) · Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (consolidated legislation) · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-09-10
3. [Means of subsistence for long-stay visas (2026 RMMG EUR920)](https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/vistos-nacionais/documentacao-instrutoria/meios-de-subsistencia) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs (vistos.mne.gov.pt) · checked 2026-10-12
4. [2026 guaranteed minimum monthly wage (RMMG) EUR920, Decreto-Lei 139/2025](https://www.dgert.gov.pt/retribuicao-minima-mensal-garantida-para-2026) · DGERT · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-05-26
5. [Residence visa documentation by purpose](https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/vistos-nacionais/documentacao-instrutoria/residencia) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs (vistos.mne.gov.pt) · checked 2026-10-12
6. [AIMA table of fees for residence and stay procedures (Portaria 307/2023 as consolidated, in force from 1 March 2026)](https://aima.gov.pt/documents/tabela-de-taxas-e-demais-encargos-a-cobrar-pelos-procedimentos-administrativos.pdf) · Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-03-01
7. [National visa fees](https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/vistos-nacionais/informacao-geral/emolumentos) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Portuguese visa portal · checked 2026-10-12
8. [Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 of 18 May (amends the Nationality Law, Law 37/81)](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2026/05/09500/0000200020.pdf) · Diário da República / Assembleia da República · checked 2026-10-11

## Student permit and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Student permit | Needs income of €920+ a month ≈ $1,030 | 3 yr, renewable | Yes |
| [Secondary school study](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/student-secondary-art92/) | – | 1 yr, renewable | Yes |
| [Traineeship permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/trainee-art93/) | – | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Internship permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/internship-residence/) Spain | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| [D3 study visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/d3-study-research/) Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | No |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Student permit?

Income of at least EUR 920 a month (≈ $1,030). Guaranteed minimum monthly wage for 2026, net of social-security contributions, shown for 12 months; reducible to half where accommodation is guaranteed, or by up to 90% where food is also guaranteed. A fee of EUR 133 (≈ $150). Application review fee for the residence permit; EUR 99.80 (≈ $110) when the application is filed digitally. A fee of EUR 114.3 (≈ $130). Fee for granting or renewing the temporary residence permit; EUR 85.80 (≈ $96) when applied for digitally. A fee of EUR 110 (≈ $120). National visa processing fee.

### How long can I stay on the Student permit?

The permit is valid three years and renewable in equal periods; it is issued for the programme length if shorter than three years.

### How long does the Student permit take to process?

The consulate must decide a residence visa within 60 days; after arrival AIMA must decide the residence permit within 90 days, extendable by 30 in exceptional cases.

### Can I work on the Student permit?

Yes. Holders may work, employed or self-employed, alongside their studies (Art.

### Can I bring my family on the Student permit?

Family reunification is limited to the spouse and minor or dependent children.

### Who can apply for the Student permit?

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

### Does the Student permit lead to permanent residence in Portugal?

Time on the Student permit counts toward permanent residence in Portugal, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Student permit counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence.

### How are Student permit holders taxed in Portugal?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Student permit. The standard rules apply: Resident individuals are taxed on worldwide income, including foreign-source income, at progressive rates from 12.5% up to 48% on the 2026 brackets set by the 2026 State Budget (Lei 73-A/2025: first bracket up to EUR 8,342, (≈ $9,320) top rate above EUR 86,634 (≈ $96,800)), plus an additional solidarity rate of 2.5% on taxable income above EUR 80,000 (≈ $89,400) and 5% above EUR 250,000 (≈ $279,000); non-residents are taxed on Portuguese-source income.

## More in Portugal

[Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/working-holiday-youth-mobility/) [D8 nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-remote-work-residence/) [D8 nomad (temporary stay)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-temporary-stay-remote-work/) [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) [D2 freelancer visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/independent-d2-89-1/) [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/eu-blue-card/) [Cultural activity permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/cultural-art90/) [Highly qualified permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/highly-qualified-art90/)

## Study visas elsewhere

[🇮🇹 Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/study-visa/) [🇩🇪 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/student-16b/) [🇫🇷 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/student-residence/) [🇬🇧 Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/student-visa/) [🇳🇱 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/student-residence/) [🇦🇱 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/student/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 8 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Residence authorization for higher-education students, Art. 91](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/estudar/autorizacao-de-residencia-emitida-a-estudantes-do-ensino-superior-art-o-91) · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Lei n.º 23/2007 (Foreigners Law, REPSAE), consolidated text current to Lei n.º 62/2026 of 10 September 2026](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) · Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (consolidated legislation) · checked 2026-10-10
3. [Means of subsistence for long-stay visas (2026 RMMG EUR920)](https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/vistos-nacionais/documentacao-instrutoria/meios-de-subsistencia) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs (vistos.mne.gov.pt) · checked 2026-10-12
4. [2026 guaranteed minimum monthly wage (RMMG) EUR920, Decreto-Lei 139/2025](https://www.dgert.gov.pt/retribuicao-minima-mensal-garantida-para-2026) · DGERT · checked 2026-10-10
5. [Residence visa documentation by purpose](https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/vistos-nacionais/documentacao-instrutoria/residencia) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs (vistos.mne.gov.pt) · checked 2026-10-12
6. [AIMA table of fees for residence and stay procedures (Portaria 307/2023 as consolidated, in force from 1 March 2026)](https://aima.gov.pt/documents/tabela-de-taxas-e-demais-encargos-a-cobrar-pelos-procedimentos-administrativos.pdf) · Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) · checked 2026-10-11
7. [National visa fees](https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/vistos-nacionais/informacao-geral/emolumentos) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Portuguese visa portal · checked 2026-10-12
8. [Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 of 18 May (amends the Nationality Law, Law 37/81)](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2026/05/09500/0000200020.pdf) · Diário da República / Assembleia da República · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.