Portugal lies in the far west of Europe, but in recent years it has come to the forefront of the attention of international students seeking a genuine European education at costs unmatched by any other Western country. While studying in Britain, the Netherlands, or Switzerland costs tens of thousands of pounds, francs, and euros per year, Portugal opens the doors of its venerable universities at prices starting from three thousand euros a year, in cities that combine history, a moderate climate, and the highest levels of safety in Europe.
In this guide prepared by the Future Way team based on continuous monitoring of the experiences of Saudi students in Portugal, you will find a complete and honest picture of this rising European destination: its universities, specializations, admission requirements, the real costs, and everything related to the daily life of the Saudi student in Lisbon and Porto.
Why is Portugal a study destination worth the attention?
Among the cheapest Western European countries at all
This is the most striking fact in the file of studying in Portugal: it is a full member of the European Union and the Schengen area, its universities are recognized in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its total costs — fees and living — equal a quarter of the cost of studying in the United Kingdom or a third of its cost in the Netherlands.
An illustrative comparison of the total monthly costs (fees + living) for a student at the master’s stage:
| Country | Estimated monthly cost (euros) |
| United Kingdom (London) | 2,500 — 3,500 |
| Netherlands (Amsterdam) | 1,800 — 2,500 |
| Germany (Munich) | 1,200 — 1,800 |
| Portugal (Lisbon) | 900 — 1,400 |
| Portugal (Porto or Coimbra) | 700 — 1,100 |
This fundamental difference makes Portugal not just a “cheaper option” but a destination that allows the Saudi student to complete their European studies without exhausting financial pressure, and even to save part of their budget for travel within Europe and benefiting from its unique geographic location.
The moderate climate: the closest to the Saudi mood
Portugal is among the warmest and sunniest Western European countries; Lisbon enjoys more than 290 sunny days a year. There is no harsh winter or accumulated snow that Saudi students collide with in Germany or the United Kingdom, and the four seasons are relatively moderate. The climate of Lisbon is in fact closer in feeling to the Saudi coastal regions than to the image of cold Northern Europe that worries students and their families.
Safety and stability: the first globally among the European countries
It is not enough to say that Portugal is safe; it is in fact among the most documented safe countries in the world. It has consistently occupied very advanced ranks in the Global Peace Index (GPI), and it often occupies the sixth or seventh position globally. For the Saudi student and their family, this reassurance represents a real added value that affects the student’s comfort and focus daily.
The best Portuguese universities for Saudi students
Portugal has a mature and venerable university system, foremost of which are three historic universities that provide diverse English programs for international students.
The University of Lisbon: the largest and most comprehensive
Universidade de Lisboa was founded in its current form in 2013 by merging two historic universities, and it is today the largest university in Portugal and the most attractive destination for international students:
| Indicator | Value |
| QS World Ranking 2025 | Among the world’s best 300 — 350 universities |
| Times THE ranking | Among the world’s best 401 — 500 |
| Number of students | More than 48,000 students |
| International students | More than 6,000 students |
| Number of faculties | 18 faculties and research departments |
Its most prominent faculties and institutes:
- Instituto Superior Técnico (IST): among the best engineering faculties in the Iberian Peninsula.
- The Faculty of Business Administration (ISEG): among the strongest economics and management faculties in Portugal.
- The Faculty of Medicine: with a firmly established history and linked to the largest hospitals in Lisbon for training.
The University of Porto: excellence in engineering and science
Universidade do Porto is the most research-productive university relative to its size (among the world’s best 300 — 350 universities in QS):
- It is located in the city of Porto (the second city in Portugal), which is quieter in character than Lisbon with living costs lower by about 15 — 20%.
- It offers dozens of master’s programs fully in English in engineering, science, and business.
- The Faculty of Engineering (FEUP) is considered a reference in civil, mechanical, and chemical engineering.
The University of Coimbra: the oldest universities and the most historic
Universidade de Coimbra was founded in 1290 (among the oldest universities in the world and listed within the UNESCO World Heritage). It excels academically in:
- Law and jurisprudence: its history extending for seven centuries makes it a reference.
- Medicine: its university hospital is among the largest training centers.
- Science and mathematics / the humanities: firmly established scientific traditions and advanced laboratories.
(Coimbra lies between Lisbon and Porto, and it is a university city par excellence with prices that are the lowest among the major cities).
The specializations available in English in Portugal
Engineering with its multiple specializations
The (IST) institute in Lisbon and the Faculty of Engineering in Porto offer a wide spectrum in English:
- Aerospace and aviation engineering: the IST program is among the strongest in Southern Europe.
- Computer engineering and data science: among the most in-demand specializations.
- Civil engineering and infrastructure.
- Chemical and biochemical engineering.
- Renewable energy engineering: Portugal is among the global pioneers of renewable energy (sometimes covering 100% of its needs from renewable sources).
A highlight from Future Way: a master’s degree in renewable energy engineering from Portugal represents an exceptional professional value for those aspiring to work in the transforming Saudi energy sector within the framework of Vision 2030.
Tourism and hospitality: a specialization that suits the Saudi ambition
Portugal is among the fastest-growing tourist destinations in Europe. Studying in it means:
- Learning hospitality management in a real applied environment at the core of the industry.
- Exceptional training opportunities at international hotels and companies.
- A direct connection to the requirements of Vision 2030.
The available programs: a bachelor’s and master’s in tourism management, a master’s in digital tourism marketing, and a master’s in hotel and restaurant management.
Business administration and economics
It offers internationally accredited business programs fully in English:
- ISEG Lisboa: European accreditations and French and German partnerships.
- Católica Lisbon: it holds the prestigious “triple accreditation” (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS).
- Nova SBE: among the fastest-rising Portuguese business schools.
Admission requirements at the Portuguese universities for Saudi students
The required GPAs and academic eligibility
Portugal is more flexible in admission, especially at the master’s stage:
- For the bachelor’s: the Saudi certificate is accepted (the scientific subjects are required to be strongly present for engineering). A GPA of 70 — 75% is considered competitive for most programs. Some programs may require a university-specific admission test.
- For the master’s: a bachelor’s in a related specialization with a cumulative GPA of no less than 2.75 out of 4 (or its equivalent). GMAT/GRE tests are not required for the ordinary master’s (recommended for some MBA programs). A motivation letter and two recommendations for the competitive programs.
The English language: the language requirements
For the fully English programs:
| University / Program | IELTS | TOEFL iBT |
| University of Lisbon (IST and the technical faculties) | 6.5 | 90 |
| University of Porto | 6.0 — 6.5 | 80 — 90 |
| University of Coimbra | 6.0 | 80 |
| Católica Lisbon (MBA and business administration) | 6.5 — 7.0 | 90 — 100 |
| Nova SBE | 6.5 | 90 |
- A practical alternative: many universities accept proof of prior study in English for 3 years, or passing the university’s internal language test.
- And must one learn Portuguese? It is not required academically. But knowing the basics enriches daily life and facilitates external dealings.
The tuition costs in Portugal 2026
Cheaper than Britain and Germany: the real comparison
The secret lies in the government support for higher education, and the general price level that is still below the eurozone average.
The tuition fees at the Portuguese universities
The bachelor’s stage (annually for international students):
| Specialization | Annual fees (euros) |
| Engineering with its various specializations | 3,000 — 5,500 |
| Science and mathematics | 2,800 — 4,500 |
| Business administration and economics | 3,500 — 6,000 |
| Tourism and hospitality | 2,500 — 4,500 |
| Law and the humanities | 2,500 — 4,000 |
| Medicine and the health sciences | 6,000 — 9,000 |
The master’s stage (annually for international students):
| Program | Annual fees (euros) |
| Master’s in engineering (IST Lisbon, Porto) | 4,000 — 7,000 |
| Master’s in computer and data science | 3,500 — 6,000 |
| Master’s in business administration (Nova SBE, Católica) | 8,000 — 15,000 |
| Master’s in tourism and hospitality | 3,000 — 5,500 |
| Master’s in environmental and energy sciences | 3,500 — 6,000 |
| Doctorate (most research programs) | 2,000 — 4,000 |
A note from Future Way: the MBA programs at Católica and Nova are higher in cost, but they carry prestigious international accreditations that make them compete with European programs that cost double.
Living costs in Portugal
(An estimated monthly budget for the Saudi student)
| Item | Lisbon (euros) | Porto or Coimbra (euros) |
| Housing | 550 — 900 | 350 — 650 |
| Food and restaurants | 250 — 400 | 200 — 320 |
| Public transport | 40 — 60 | 30 — 50 |
| Communications and internet | 20 — 35 | 20 — 30 |
| Books and supplies | 30 — 60 | 30 — 50 |
| Entertainment and activities | 100 — 200 | 80 — 150 |
| Total | 990 — 1,655 | 710 — 1,250 |
Student housing in Portugal
The options available to the Saudi student
- Housing in the official university residences (subsidized but in high demand): a shared room (150 — 280 euros) | a single room (250 — 400 euros).
- Housing in private Student Residences: a higher service level: a room with a shared bathroom (350 — 550 euros) | a room with a private bathroom (500 — 750 euros).
- Renting an apartment shared with colleagues: the most widespread and independent option: Lisbon (400 — 650 euros per person) | Porto and Coimbra (280 — 500 euros per person).
A practical tip: platforms such as Uniplaces, Idealista, and Flatmates are considered the most used for searching for reliable housing in Portugal.
The Portuguese visa for Saudi students
Facilitated procedures compared with some European countries
The study visa (D Visa) allows free movement in 27 European countries with relatively lighter bureaucracy.
The steps for obtaining the visa:
- Obtain the official university admission.
- Assemble the visa file according to the requirements.
- Submit the application at the embassy in Riyadh or the consulate in Jeddah (4 — 8 weeks for the decision).
- After arrival: registration at the Directorate of Foreigners (SEF/AIMA) to obtain the residence permit.
The required documents:
| Document | Details |
| A valid passport | Validity exceeding the residence period by at least 3 months |
| The university admission letter | Stating the specialization, duration, and fees |
| Proof of residence | A housing contract or a university confirmation letter |
| Proof of financial capacity | A bank statement (760 euros per month as a minimum) |
| A health insurance document | Covering Portugal and Schengen |
| A good-conduct certificate | A criminal record free of precedents |
| Other | Biometric personal photos, and a receipt of fee payment (about 90 euros) |
Life in Portugal for Saudi students
The Muslim community in Portugal
Islamic history is an integral part of the Portuguese identity:
- Mosques and prayer rooms: the “Grand Mosque of Lisbon,” built in 1985, stands out, in addition to prayer rooms in Porto and Coimbra.
- Halal food: available in Lisbon, especially in the Martim Moniz area and the city center.
Practical tips:
- Get to know the halal butcher shops and restaurants early.
- Communicate with the Arab and Muslim student community to know the best options.
- Home cooking is a practical and financially comfortable option.
(The Arab and international community is active on social networks, which facilitates quick adaptation).
Frequently asked questions about studying in Portugal for Saudis
1. How much does studying in Portugal cost?
The annual tuition fees for international students range between 2,800 and 9,000 euros depending on the university and the specialization, with the exception of the specialized MBA programs that may reach 15,000 euros. To them are added monthly living costs ranging between 700 and 1,650 euros depending on the city, which makes the total annual cost fall between 11,000 and 25,000 euros, much lower than most Western European countries at a similar academic quality.
2. Is Portugal cheap for students?
Yes, Portugal is among the cheapest Western European countries for international students. The comparison with the United Kingdom shows savings of 50 — 60%, with the Netherlands savings of 30 — 40%, and even compared with Germany the living costs in cities such as Porto and Coimbra remain lower by 15 — 25%.
3. Must one learn Portuguese to study in Portugal?
Learning it is not required to join the English programs at the master’s and doctorate stages. English is completely sufficient academically. But learning the basics of Portuguese enriches daily life and facilitates dealing with government and local entities, and it is a language that is not difficult for those who have a background in any Latin language.
4. What is the best Portuguese university?
The answer depends on the specialization: IST in Lisbon is the best in engineering and technology, the University of Porto is the strongest in research in the applied sciences, Católica Lisbon is the most prominent in business administration thanks to its triple accreditation, and Nova SBE is the fastest-rising in the European business rankings. As for those seeking the most historically and culturally distinguished university experience, the University of Coimbra since 1290 is an unforgettable destination.
5. How is life in Lisbon for Saudis?
Lisbon is an open and welcoming city par excellence; many describe it as among the warmest Western European cities in human dealings. The climate is sunny and moderate year-round, and the costs of entertainment, restaurants, and culture are relatively low. The Islamic presence exists even if not predominant, and halal food is available in the main areas. The Saudi student usually finds that adaptation in Lisbon is faster and easier than expected.
Portugal awaits you: start your step with Future Way
Portugal is a destination offering a rare equation: a genuine European education at universities with history and a global ranking, in a country among the most safe in the world, at costs that are the lowest among the Western European countries, and in cities that combine history, a moderate climate, and a rich cultural life.
If you are a Saudi student aspiring to study in Europe and seeking a genuine balance between quality, cost, and quality of life, then Portugal deserves to be at the forefront of your list of choices.
At Future Way, we accompany you from choosing the suitable university and specialization, to preparing the admission file and the motivation letter, and following up the visa procedures until your foot touches the ground of Lisbon or Porto.
