Student Visa for Portugal: Residence Visa for Study and the AIMA Permit
Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.
Non-EU students who come to Portugal for a full degree need a residence visa for study, often referred to by its consular code D4. It lets you enter Portugal and then apply for a residence permit from the migration agency, AIMA. This guide follows the documentation list published by the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as consulted in October 2026.
Which visa
- Residence visa for study: for programmes longer than one year, which covers every bachelor's degree. It is valid for four months and two entries, long enough to travel and request the residence permit.
- Temporary stay visa: for study of less than a year, such as a language course or an exchange.
Documents
The general list for residence visas:
- the national visa application form and two photos
- a passport valid for at least three months beyond the planned stay
- proof of legal residence in the country where you apply, if you are not its national
- a criminal record certificate from your country of nationality or residence, legalised or apostilled; not required under 16
- travel insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation
- proof of means of subsistence
And for study specifically: proof that you have been admitted to a higher education institution, or meet its admission conditions.
Exemptions worth knowing
The ministry's list contains several exemptions for higher education students:
- Students admitted to an institution approved under the fast-track provisions of the immigration law can be exempt from proving means of subsistence and insurance.
- Nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries admitted to higher education are exempt from proving means of subsistence.
- Holders of a study grant are exempt from proving means, if they inform the consulate.
Ask the international office of your university which case applies to you, and confirm with the consulate before leaving documents out.
Means of subsistence
Where proof is required, the amount is set by government order with reference to the national minimum wage, and consulates accept bank statements, a scholarship letter, or a term of responsibility signed by a resident of Portugal with a certified signature. The current amount is published on the ministry's visa portal.
After arrival
During the validity of the visa you apply to AIMA for the residence permit for higher education students. Waiting times for appointments have been long in recent years: keep your visa, your proof of the appointment request and your enrolment certificate together, as they document your status meanwhile. You will also need a Portuguese tax number (NIF) for a lease and a bank account.
Working while you study
Holders of a student residence permit may work alongside their studies under the conditions of the immigration law, which include informing the migration agency. Ask your university's international office how the notification is made at present.
EU citizens
No visa. For stays over three months you request a registration certificate at the town hall of your place of residence.
What it costs
International students at public institutions typically pay €3,500 a year in our catalogue, against €697 for Portuguese and EU students. See how much it costs to study in Portugal and student housing in Portugal.
Where to look next
Official sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: visa portal
- AIMA: Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum
- Study in Portugal
Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.