Studying finance in Portugal gives you access to quality business schools and a growing economic hub in Europe. You can choose from bachelor and master programmes taught in English or Portuguese, with clear steps for international applicants.
Choose your finance degree level
Portugal follows the Bologna Process, making its higher education degrees easy to compare across Europe. You have two main study paths:
- Bachelor degrees take three years and build core skills in accounting, economics and math.
- Master degrees take one to two years and let you specialise in corporate finance, banking or investments.
Check entry requirements and English options
Many business schools in Lisbon and Porto offer finance programmes fully in English. Admission criteria depend on your previous studies.
- For bachelor entry, you usually need secondary school completion and recognised exams equivalent to the Portuguese national exams.
- For master entry, you need an undergraduate degree, often in a quantitative field like economics, math or business.
- Language tests like IELTS or TOEFL are required if English is not your native language and your previous degree was not in English.
Always verify the exact prerequisite courses on the university admissions page before you apply.
Understand tuition fees and living costs
Tuition fees in Portugal vary depending on whether you hold citizenship from an EU country or a non-EU country.
- EU students pay regulated public fees, typically ranging from one thousand to two thousand euros per year.
- Non-EU international students often pay higher institutional fees, which vary widely by university. Check the programme page for exact numbers.
- Private universities set their own rates for all students.
- Living costs in cities like Lisbon or Porto generally range from seven hundred to one thousand euros per month for rent, food and transport.
Follow a realistic timeline
Planning ahead helps you meet all deadlines without stress. Admissions usually happen in multiple phases over the spring and summer.
- Start researching programmes and testing your English level six to nine months before term starts.
- Submit your application documents during the main rounds between March and July.
- Apply for your student visa at the national immigration authority immediately after receiving your university acceptance letter.
Common questions
Can I work while studying finance in Portugal?
Yes, international students from both EU and non-EU countries can work part-time during their studies without needing a separate work permit.
Do I need to speak Portuguese to study finance?
No, many master programmes and a growing number of bachelor degrees are taught entirely in English.
How do I get my foreign school certificates recognised?
You must have your secondary school grades or university diploma evaluated and validated through official recognition processes before final enrolment.
How Eduuro helps
Create a free profile with your field, education, English level and documents. Admissions offices that search for exactly that can find you and write first.
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Check the university's own admissions page and the official immigration site of the country before you act on anything here.