Studying abroad in Portugal: your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers medically necessary treatment, but not the cost of bringing you home. The Federal Foreign Office does not list a visa requirement for German citizens. The University of Lisbon gives 300 to 450 euros for a room and 225 euros for food per month, on a page without a date.
Studying abroad in Portugal at a glance
| Topic | Information (status October 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | EHIC applies, repatriation not covered | European Commission (EHIC FAQ) |
| Visa | No visa requirement listed, registration after three months may be required | Federal Foreign Office, European Commission (Your Europe) |
| Tuition fees | Erasmus+ students are exempt from fees for study, enrolment and exams, small fees may apply | European Commission (Erasmus+) |
| Living costs | Room 300 to 450 euros, studio or flat 450 to 600 euros, food 225 euros per month (undated page) | University of Lisbon |
| Study-abroad BAföG | Possible, responsible office per DSW assignment: Studierendenwerk Saarland | German National Association for Student Affairs (flyer, status January 2026) |
All information is general and not individual advice. The official pages linked below are authoritative.
How are you insured in Portugal?
European Health Insurance Card and statutory health insurance
Portugal is an EU country, so the European Health Insurance Card applies there. According to the European Commission, treatment follows the rules of the host country. For students, the card replaces form E-128 and gives access to treatment that is necessary given the length of your stay. The Commission also states that the card does not cover repatriation.
Ask your health insurer to confirm in writing how you are insured during your study abroad before you sign the learning agreement. Also check that the card is valid until the end of your stay. If you have private health insurance, the basics are covered in our guide Health insurance during a semester abroad.
The Federal Foreign Office points out that in many countries bills must be paid or advanced before discharge from hospital. The page does not state this explicitly for Portugal, but it is wise to keep money aside for a possible advance payment.
What does the German health insurer pay?
Treatment is billed under the rules of the host country. Abroad, higher co-payments can apply, which is a cost risk. Keep all receipts. If you pay for treatment first, the German Federal Portal states that the insurer only reimburses what it would have covered for comparable treatment in the country of insurance, minus an administrative deduction.
For inpatient treatment in another EU country, your insurer must approve in advance, and the same applies to treatment that also needs prior approval in Germany. For planned outpatient treatment, the Federal Portal advises checking with your insurer beforehand.
Private travel health insurance and repatriation
The card does not replace travel health insurance. Repatriation to Germany is not covered. The Federal Foreign Office recommends a travel health and repatriation insurance for the entire stay abroad. The Federal Portal names repatriation and higher co-payments abroad as residual risks that a private travel health insurance can cover. Background is in our guide Travel health insurance for Erasmus, USA and work and travel.
Do you need a visa for Portugal?
No. The Federal Foreign Office lists no visa requirement for Portugal for German citizens. Documents accepted for entry are, according to the Foreign Office, a passport, a provisional passport, an identity card, a provisional identity card and a children’s passport. A provisional identity card must still be valid. The page advises always carrying your passport rather than only an identity card when travelling to Portugal.
During the first three months, the host state may not require registration, according to the European Commission. After that, Portugal may require you to register your stay. For stays longer than three months, the Commission names three conditions: enrolment at a recognised university, comprehensive health insurance and sufficient funds. Keep these documents ready:
- Valid identity card or passport
- Proof of enrolment at the host university
- Proof of comprehensive health insurance
- Proof of sufficient funds, the Commission does not name a fixed minimum amount
According to the Federal Foreign Office, there is no travel warning for Portugal (status of the page 25 October 2026). The page does list a forest fire alert level for the whole Portuguese mainland, but not for Madeira and the Azores. Petty crime, mainly pickpocketing, is common in tourist centres such as Lisbon and Porto, while violent crime is rare. In summer there are also dangerous currents on the Atlantic coast.
The Foreign Office lists no compulsory vaccinations for entry. Standard vaccinations are recommended, especially against measles, along with hepatitis A. For long stays, hepatitis B and dengue are added.
What does a semester abroad in Portugal cost?
Tuition fees
As an Erasmus+ student you are exempt from tuition, enrolment and exam fees at the host university. The Commission additionally lists access to laboratories and libraries as covered. Small fees, for example for insurance or membership in a student union, may still apply. We have not verified their amount, so ask your host university.
Living costs
The University of Lisbon lists on its page about living in the city 300 to 450 euros per month for a room, 450 to 600 euros for a studio or flat, 225 euros for food and 35 euros for a monthly pass for bus and metro. The page carries no date and does not name exchange students explicitly. Electricity costs are not listed. Ask your host university for its budget figures for exchange students.
Funding: Erasmus+ and study-abroad BAföG
Your university determines the Erasmus+ grant. The Commission describes it as a contribution to travel and living costs, with the amount depending among other things on living costs, the number of applicants and the distance. It names no fixed sum. More is in our guide Planning Erasmus and a semester abroad.
Study-abroad BAföG is possible for studying abroad. The condition is a permanent residence in Germany. Support starts in the month of application, at the earliest with the start of the study abroad. The application should be filed about six months before the start. Within the EU, the flyer of the German National Association for Student Affairs does not require at least one year of study in Germany. According to the DSW assignment, the Studierendenwerk Saarland is responsible for Portugal. The flyer names a one-time travel allowance, a health insurance supplement and tuition fees up to 5,600 euros for at most one year. All details are in our guide Study-abroad BAföG: requirements, amounts and supplements.
Example calculation: For a five-month Erasmus+ semester, a room at 300 to 450 euros and food at 225 euros per month add up to 525 to 675 euros per month, which is 2,625 to 3,375 euros for five months. Electricity, mobile phone and the monthly pass are not included. Small fees whose amount we have not verified come on top. Travel costs and travel health insurance are not included. The sum is a guide, not a promise.
Steps before you leave
- Ask your health insurer to confirm in writing how you are insured during the semester abroad, before you sign the learning agreement.
- Check that your European Health Insurance Card is valid until the end of your stay and order a new one in time if needed.
- Take out travel health and repatriation insurance, because the card does not cover repatriation.
- Ask your health insurer whether planned treatment needs prior approval.
- Take your passport with you, since the Federal Foreign Office advises it over an identity card.
- File the study-abroad BAföG application about six months before the start, if you are eligible.
- Ask the International Office about the Erasmus+ grant and all fees charged by the host university.
- Have your vaccination protection against measles and hepatitis A checked by your doctor.
- Keep your identity card or passport and proof of enrolment and insurance ready for a possible registration after three months.
Frequently asked questions
Is my European Health Insurance Card valid in Portugal?
Yes, for medically necessary treatment under the rules of the host country. Treatment that can wait until you return home and repatriation are not covered.
Do I need a visa for Portugal?
No. The Federal Foreign Office lists no visa requirement for German citizens. After three months Portugal may require registration.
Do I have to pay tuition fees in Portugal?
As an Erasmus+ student, not for study, enrolment or exams. Small fees, for example for insurance, may apply.
How high are living costs in Portugal?
The University of Lisbon lists 300 to 450 euros for a room and 225 euros for food per month. The page carries no date.
Does my health insurer pay for repatriation?
The European Commission says the card has nothing to do with repatriation. Travel health and repatriation insurance covers this risk. Ask your insurer about the scope of its benefits.
Who is responsible for study-abroad BAföG for Portugal?
According to the DSW assignment, the Studierendenwerk Saarland is responsible.
Sources
- Federal Foreign Office, Portugal: travel and safety information (page status 25 October 2026, in German)
- European Commission, Your Europe: Studying in another EU country (last changed 30 September 2026)
- European Commission, social security FAQ: European Health Insurance Card (undated)
- European Commission, Erasmus+: Studying abroad (last updated 18 December 2025)
- German Federal Portal, health insurance abroad (last updated 6 December 2022, in German)
- German National Association for Student Affairs, flyer on study-abroad BAföG (status January 2026, in German)
- University of Lisbon, Practical information (undated)
Sources accessed on 25 October 2026, unless stated otherwise.
Related reading
- Health insurance during a semester abroad: what applies?
- Study-abroad BAföG: requirements, amounts and supplements
- Travel health insurance for Erasmus, USA and work and travel
- Planning Erasmus and a semester abroad
- Studying abroad in Spain: insurance, visa, costs
You can find the online check at check.academycon.de.
Status: October 2026. This guide provides general information and does not replace individual advice.
