The International Student Statute was created in 2014, establishing a special access regime to Portuguese higher education for students of non-Portuguese nationality who wish to attend undergraduate (Bachelor's) or integrated master's degree programmes in Portugal. This statute was amended in 2025 by Decree-Law No. 20/2025, of 18 March, which introduced changes to the eligibility conditions for applying to the Special Admission Competition for International Students.
You may apply to the Special Call for Applications for International Students if you are a national of a country outside the European Union and the European Economic Area and meet one of the following conditions:
- You hold a Portuguese secondary education diploma or an equivalent qualification;
- You hold a diploma or certificate issued by a competent authority in your country of origin confirming successful completion of secondary education and granting access to higher education.
You are not eligible to apply under this call if:
- As of 1 January of the year in which you intend to enrol, you benefit from the Statute of Equality of Rights and Duties;
- You hold dual nationality, one of which is Portuguese;
- You or your parents have legally resided in Portugal for more than two consecutive years as of 1 January of the year of admission to higher education. In this case, you must also have legally resided with them, and the period of residence under a residence permit for study purposes is only considered during the time in which the student attends secondary education in Portugal;
- You are a family member of Portuguese nationals, nationals of an EU Member State, or nationals of a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, regardless of your nationality.
If your intention is to apply for a Master's or PhD programme, please check the relevant admission requirements here.
