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Portugal Student Visa 2026 (D4): How to Apply
The Portugal student visa — often called the D4 — is the route for people coming to do a bachelor’s, master’s, PhD or another course. Portugal is one of the most popular destinations for Brazilian students, partly because several universities accept the ENEM (Brazil’s national secondary school exam).
“D4” is a common name (some sources use other codes for higher education); the MNE (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) calls it the “residence visa for study”. In Portugal, “licenciatura” is a bachelor’s degree and “propinas” are tuition fees.
Types of study visa in Portugal
| Length | Visa | For |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | Temporary stay | Exchange, short courses, one semester |
| More than 1 year | Residence | Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, secondary school, internship, volunteering |
Portugal student visa documents
General (MNE): application form, two photos, passport valid for 3 months beyond the stay, travel insurance (can be waived with the PB4 for Brazilians), criminal record with apostille (not needed for under-16s) and means of subsistence.
Higher education students:
- Proof that you meet the admission conditions or have been accepted by a higher education institution;
- Proof of enough resources to attend the course.
Important exemptions:
- Students admitted to a higher education institution “officially recognised under the law in force (article 91-B)”: exempt from health insurance, proof of admission, travel insurance and means of subsistence, according to the MNE. This exemption depends on the institution having that recognition under art. 91-B — ask the university whether this is the case before you rely on it.
- Scholarship holders (including Camões, I.P.): exempt from proof of admission and of means.
- Nationals of countries where Portuguese is an official language admitted to higher education: exempt from means of subsistence.
Secondary school: be between 14 and 21 years old, be admitted to a recognised programme and have accommodation arranged (host family or residence).
How much money do you need?
Reference: minimum wage of €920 in 2026. For study, your means must cover 12 months (or the length of the exchange). The amount can be cut by half if accommodation is guaranteed, or by up to 90% if food is also guaranteed.
Example for 12 months without guaranteed accommodation: 12 × €920 = €11,040.
This is the criterion published by the MNE for study (means covering 12 months, based on the minimum wage). The consulate may ask for extra proof.
How to apply for a Portugal student visa: step by step
- Apply to the university or polytechnic and get the acceptance letter.
- Get your NIF (tax number — needed to rent a home and open a bank account).
- Gather the documents and any exemptions that apply.
- Submit the application at the consulate or external provider. Fee: €110 (Portuguese State scholarship holders are exempt).
- Wait for the decision — 60 days (residence) or 30 days (temporary stay).
- Enter Portugal and go to AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) with your passport, visa and proof of means to apply for the residence permit.
- Register with the SNS, the national health service (utente number).
Can I work while I study?
Yes. AIMA confirms that holders of a residence permit for study can do professional work alongside their studies, as an employee or self-employed (recibos verdes (in Portuguese)). You need a NISS (social security number).
The AIMA page does not give a limit on weekly hours. Before you start working, check with AIMA whether you need to report that you have started.
What happens after the course?
If you finish your studies, you can apply for a residence permit to work or to look for work, through AIMA’s own procedures. It is not a renewal — it is a change of ground. See the renewal guide and the work visa.
Can I bring my family?
Holders of a residence permit for study, internship or volunteering can only apply for family reunification for their spouse, dependent minor or incapacitated children and adopted minors, according to AIMA. Parents and siblings are not included in this category. Pay attention to the time limits and means rules of family reunification.
How much does it cost to study in Portugal?
Besides the visa fee (€110), plan for the institution’s propinas (tuition fees), which for international students are usually higher than for Portuguese students, plus accommodation and food. Institutions publish their fees on their websites, so always check the price list for the academic year you will start; international student status and any reductions for CPLP nationals vary from school to school.
Common mistakes
- Entering as a tourist to study. Courses longer than 90 days need a visa.
- A conditional acceptance letter without confirmed enrolment.
- Stopping your studies and keeping a student card. Renewal requires proof of attendance.
- Renewing when you should change the type of permit after starting full-time work.
- Counting tuition you already paid as means of subsistence.
Keep reading
- Portugal visa types
- Residence permit in Portugal
- Family reunification — students have their own rules
Frequently asked questions
Can I work on a student visa in Portugal?
Yes. According to AIMA (art. 97), holders of a residence permit for study can do professional work, as an employee or self-employed, alongside their studies.
Do Brazilians need to prove means of subsistence?
No, if they are admitted to a higher education institution: the MNE waives proof of means for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries in that situation.
How much does the Portugal student visa cost?
€110, the general fee for national visas. Portuguese State scholarship holders are exempt.
How long is the student residence permit valid?
Three years, renewable for equal periods; if the course is shorter, it is issued for the length of the course (art. 91(2)).
I finished my course. Can I stay and work?
Yes, but you must ask to change the type of residence permit, not do a simple renewal. AIMA has its own procedures for people who have finished their studies.