Portugal Scholarships for International Students 2027: Universities, FCT and Erasmus Options

Is Portugal a good scholarship destination for international students?

Portugal is becoming more attractive for international students because it offers recognised European degrees, a relatively moderate cost of living compared with some Western European countries, strong universities and an increasing number of English-taught programmes. It is especially interesting for students who want to study engineering, business, public policy, international relations, marine sciences, renewable energy, tourism, agriculture, social sciences or Portuguese-speaking world studies. However, Portugal does not have one simple fully funded government scholarship for every international student at bachelor’s and master’s level. Funding depends on the type of student, residence status, degree level and university. For many international students, the best opportunities are university scholarships, Erasmus Mundus or Erasmus mobility, and FCT doctoral studentships for PhD candidates. This guide explains the main Portugal scholarship options for 2027 and how to choose the right route.

Main scholarship routes in Portugal

The first route is university scholarships. Portuguese universities may offer merit scholarships, tuition discounts, research grants, social support or external partner scholarships. The University of Porto, for example, explains that it offers different types of support, including merit scholarships, scientific scholarships and scholarships from external institutions. The second route is FCT doctoral funding. FCT, Portugal’s Foundation for Science and Technology, runs competitive PhD studentship calls that support doctoral research in all scientific areas. This is one of the strongest routes for students seeking funded PhD study in Portugal. The third route is Erasmus. Some students study in Portugal through Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, Erasmus+ exchange or mobility programmes. Erasmus Mundus can be fully funded if the programme awards a scholarship, while Erasmus exchange is usually a mobility grant rather than full degree funding. The fourth route is DGES social support, but this is limited. Official DGES guidance states that grants are annual state support for students whose household lacks minimum financial resources. However, students under the international student regime do not generally have access to direct social support, except in specific humanitarian emergency cases. This means many non-EU international students cannot rely on DGES social grants.

FCT PhD Studentships: the strongest route for doctoral applicants

For PhD applicants, FCT studentships are extremely important. FCT describes doctoral studentships as funding for research activities leading to a doctoral degree, across all scientific areas. Applicants must be enrolled or eligible to enrol in a PhD programme. The 2026 regular line call was open from 2 March to 31 March 2026 through the myFCT platform, and FCT notes that calls usually take place every year around March or March-April. For 2027 applicants, this means preparation should begin before March. You should identify a doctoral programme, contact supervisors, prepare a research proposal, collect academic documents, and understand the FCT evaluation criteria. Doctoral funding is competitive, and a strong proposal is essential.

University scholarships in Portugal

University scholarships vary widely. Some universities offer merit-based tuition reductions for excellent international students. Others offer research scholarships connected to funded projects, especially at master’s thesis or PhD level. Some institutions have partnerships with foundations, Portuguese-speaking countries, development agencies or private donors. Because each university has its own rules, students should check scholarship pages after shortlisting programmes. Look for terms such as bolsas de estudo, merit scholarships, research grants, international student scholarships, SAS scholarships and tuition fee exemptions. If the page is in Portuguese, use official translations carefully and contact the university when rules are unclear.

DGES grants: important but limited for many international students

DGES grants are Portugal’s public social support mechanism for higher education students. They are designed as non-repayable annual state support for students whose households lack financial resources. Applications for a school year can usually be submitted between 25 June and 30 September or within 20 working days after enrolment, with late applications possible under proportional rules. But international students must be careful. Official DGES guidance indicates that students under the international student regime do not have access to direct social support, except in emergency humanitarian cases. If you are a non-EU student applying as an international student, do not assume DGES will fund you. Ask the university which fee status and support rules apply to your case.

Erasmus options in Portugal

Erasmus can support study in Portugal in two main ways. The first is Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters. These are competitive international master’s programmes offered by consortia of European universities. If a Portuguese university is part of the consortium, you may study in Portugal for one semester or longer. Erasmus Mundus scholarships can be generous and may cover tuition, travel and living costs. The second is Erasmus+ mobility, which supports exchange students already enrolled in another university. This is usually not full degree funding, but it can reduce costs for a semester or year abroad.

Best fields for scholarships in Portugal

Portugal can be a strong destination for marine science, ocean governance, fisheries, renewable energy, civil engineering, architecture, economics, management, tourism, agriculture, public policy, international relations, data science and Portuguese language studies. For PhD funding, research fit matters more than general popularity. You need a supervisor, a good research question and a proposal that matches the host institution. Students from Africa and the Middle East may find Portugal attractive because of links with development, Atlantic cooperation, Lusophone countries, climate, ocean issues and migration. However, scholarship availability should guide the final choice.

How to apply strategically in 2027

Start by deciding whether your target is bachelor’s, master’s or PhD. For bachelor’s and taught master’s, focus on university scholarships and Erasmus Mundus if applicable. For PhD, focus on FCT, research centres and funded doctoral positions. Create a funding map before applying: tuition fee, scholarship type, deadline, eligibility, documents and language requirement. For FCT, prepare a research proposal early and contact supervisors. For university scholarships, apply for admission as early as possible and ask whether scholarship consideration is automatic or separate. For Erasmus Mundus, apply directly to the consortium before the deadline, usually many months before the programme starts.

Common mistakes

The first mistake is assuming Portugal is automatically cheap for all international students. Tuition fees can vary. The second mistake is assuming DGES social support is open to all non-EU students. The third mistake is starting FCT preparation too late. The fourth mistake is applying to a PhD without a supervisor or research fit. The fifth mistake is ignoring Portuguese-language pages where many funding details are published.

FAQ: Portugal Scholarships 2027

Is there a fully funded Portugal government scholarship for all students?

No single general scholarship covers all international students. Funding depends on university, degree level, status and programme.

Is FCT only for Portuguese students?

FCT PhD calls can include international candidates, but eligibility must be checked in each call.

Can international students get DGES grants?

Students under the international student regime generally do not have access to direct social support, except specific humanitarian cases.

Is Portugal good for PhD funding?

Yes, FCT and research-centre funding can make Portugal a strong PhD destination.

Need help applying?

If you want help finding Portuguese universities, checking whether you qualify for FCT or university scholarships, preparing a PhD proposal, comparing tuition fees or applying to Erasmus options, we can help you build a clear 2027 application plan.

Official sources used

• DGES grants page: https://www.dges.gov.pt/wwwbeon/
• DGES application deadlines page: https://www.dges.gov.pt/wwwbeon/?plid=373
• FCT PhD Studentships 2026 Regular Line: https://www.fct.pt/en/concursos/concurso-de-bolsas-de-investigacao-para-doutoramento-2026-linha-regular/
• University of Porto scholarships page: https://sigarra.up.pt/up/en/web_base.gera_pagina?p_pagina=scholarships
• University of Lisbon scholarships page: https://www.ulisboa.pt/en/info/scholarships