Student in Portugal

Residence visa

You may apply for a residence visa at the embassy or consulate in the country of origin or residence.

A residence visa does not automatically grant you a right of residence but allows you to enter Portugal for the purpose of applying for a residence permit, if the requirements are met.

In general, you must prove that you have sufficient means of subsistence, travel insurance and a return ticket.

Higher education

For higher education, you must hold a valid travel document and if you are under 18, you must prove you have parental consent. You must have been admitted to the higher education institution.

Secondary education

For secondary education, you must:

• hold a valid travel document;
• be aged between 14 and 21 years old;
• prove you have parental consent if you are under 18;
• be admitted to a secondary education institution;
• be hosted for the duration of the stay by a family that satisfies the conditions established by the exchange programme or have otherwise ensured your accommodation.

Unpaid traineeship

For unpaid traineeships, you must hold a valid travel document and if you are under 18, you must prove you have parental consent. You must have been accepted by an enterprise as an unpaid trainee or into an approved vocational training programme.

Voluntary service

For voluntary service, you must meet the minimum age requirement and must have been placed with a voluntary service organisation, officially recognised in Portugal.

Temporary residence permit

A temporary residence permit is an official document issued by the SEF that allows you to live in Portugal for a specific period of time. You must submit the application to the SEF.

Higher education

For higher education, you must present a confirmation of enrolment, payment of fees at the relevant institution and sufficient means of subsistence. You must be covered by the national health service or have a health insurance.

Secondary education

For secondary education, you must be enrolled in a secondary school and you must be covered by the national health service or have a health insurance.

Unremunerated trainee

As an unremunerated trainee, you must have a residence visa and be covered by the national health service or have a health insurance. You must present a traineeship agreement with a company or with an approved vocational training institution duly certified by the Institute for Employment and Professional Training (IEFP).

Volunteer

As a volunteer, you must have a residence visa and be covered by the national health service or have a health insurance. You must present a contract with the organisation that is responsible for the voluntary programme in Portugal, including the description of work duties and conditions, working hours and training details.

Each category of student must also:

• have sufficient means of subsistence;
• have accommodation;
• be registered with the social security office;
• have no previous conviction for a criminal offence which in Portugal is punishable by a prison sentence of more than one year.

There must be no fact in existence that would have prevented the grant of the visa, if it had been known by the authorities before the visa was issued.

Higher education

A temporary residence permit for higher education is valid for one year, renewable for further periods of one year or for the duration of the period of study if it is less than one year.

Secondary education

A temporary residence permit for secondary education may not exceed the validity of one year but may be renewed for a further period of one year if the necessary conditions are still met.

Unremunerated traineeship

A temporary residence permit for an unremunerated traineeship is valid for the duration of the traineeship or a maximum of one year. In exceptional cases the permit can be renewed once, and only to obtain an officially recognised professional qualification.

Volunteer

A temporary residence permit for volunteers is valid for one year, not renewable.

If your application for a residence permit is refused, you may challenge the decision before the administrative court. You will be notified of the refusal decision as well as the reasons for the decision, the right to appeal and the deadline for making an appeal.

The residence visa is cancelled if the application for a residence permit is refused.

You are allowed to work only outside school hours and with SEF’s prior authorisation provided that you have an employment contract and that you are registered with the social security office.

Unremunerated trainees and volunteers are not allowed to work with their residence permit.

If you hold a residence permit for study or student exchange or if you are an unremunerated trainee or volunteer, you are entitled to family reunification with:

• your spouse;
• your minor or dependent children and those of the spouse;
• your adopted minor children.