If studying in Portugal—a country known for its beauty and rich culture—is your goal but you’re concerned about the cost, there’s good news! The Portuguese government is now accepting applications for its Higher Education Scholarship Programfor the 2025–2026 academic year.
This scholarship is a great chance for both local and international students who need financial help. It’s designed to cover tuition fees and living costs, so you can focus fully on your education.
Whether you’re interested in arts, science, business, or technology, this program can help make your dream of studying in Portugal affordable and achievable.
Overview:
This government-backed scholarship is designed to support students with financial need who are studying for a bachelor’s, master’s, or Higher Professional Technical Course (CTESP) at public or private universities in Portugal.
The scholarship covers the full academic year and is paid out in 10 monthly installments, helping with tuition, living expenses, and other education-related costs.
If you’re an international student interested in a PhD, you’ll need to apply separately through the FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) scholarship program.
Requirements:
- Both Portuguese and international students studying at public or private universities in Portugal
- Must be enrolled in at least 30 ECTS credits
- You can’t already hold a degreeequal to or higher than the one you’re applying for.
Your income must fall within the set limits:
- Your family’s total yearly income must be less than €11,049.89
- Your movable assets (like savings, stocks, etc.) must be under €115,303.20
If you’re a working student or your income changes from month to month, you might qualify for additional financial help. Refugees from Syria and Afghanistan, as well as students under temporary protection from Ukraine, can receive up to €5,981.73, even if they don’t meet the usual income requirements.
Application Process:
Visit the official DGES website
- Log in or retrieve your account info.
- Fill out the online form and upload your required documents.
- Use the DGES Scholarship Simulator to estimate how much support you might get.