Useful Information
Health Insurance
If you are a European Union (EU) Citizen, you can use the National Health services (public hospitals) by showing a valid European Health Insurance Card. You will be charged the same fee as a Portuguese citizen.
If you are a Non-European Union (Non-EU) Citizen, valid International Insurance is necessary. You should check with the service provider which Health units you can use during your stay. However, as a norm, you should always check what coverage your national health insurance provider gives you.
Visa and Residence Permit
European Union (EU) Citizens: you need to travel with a valid National Identity Card or a valid Passport and the European Health Insurance Card.
Non-European (Non-EU) Citizens:
For stays longer than three months and up to one year, non-EU students need to apply for a Student Visa in their home country or country of residence before entry into Portugal. A Student Visa may take up to 2-3 months to be completed. While staying in our country students will be required to renew their Student Visas.
For stays longer than one year, non-EU students need a Residence Permit. To apply for a Residence Permit, students need to have completed and entered a Resident Visa into their passport before entry into Portugal. You can apply for the Resident Visa at a Portuguese embassy or a Portuguese consulate in your home country or your country of residence. Residence Permits take between 3 weeks to a month to be issued by our authorities.
The authority in Portugal responsible for these issues is the Foreigners and Borders Service (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras).
Depending on your nationality, duration of your stay, and the type of service you are applying for, some or all of the following standard documents may be required:
- Passport valid for 3 months after your date of return and with at least one blank visa;
- Completed SEF application form;
- Two-color passport-size photographs;
- Copy of itinerary with confirmed reservation or Acceptance Letter issued by your Faculty;
- Proof of departure arrangements;
- Proof of sufficient means of support;
- Proof of health insurance coverage;
- Portuguese Criminal Record;
- Address Confirmation;
- Proof that you have no debts at Universidade Católica Portuguesa.
Useful links:
Embassies
Immigration Portal
Foreign and Borders Services
Consular Affairs & Portuguese Communities
Portuguese Communities Portal – Visa
Student Visa Renewal
- Where can I do it?
- At SEF branches, by booking in advance
- When should I apply?
- One month before the expiry date
- How long is it valid for?
- Up to a maximum of 90 days, renewable for an equal period of time.
- Visa renewal is only valid in Portuguese territory
- How long does it take?
- Visa renewal is immediate, upon the delivery of the application to SEF (as a rule).
- What do I need to apply?
- Scheduling in Advance;
- 2 Identical photographs, in color, with a plain background, updated and easily identifiable;
- Passport or any other travel document, which shall not expire for at least 3 months after the scheduled departure date, with two consecutive blank pages
- Evidence that the applicant has subsistence means of 400 Euros per month (cash; credit card together with bank statement indicating daily withdrawal limits; up-to-date statement of bank account balance);
- Evidence of accommodation (rental contract or declaration from the Junta de Freguesia);
- Your Faculty’s Acceptance Letter;
- Completed SEF application form;
- Proof of departure arrangements
- Proof of international health insurance coverage;
- Portuguese Criminal Record
- Proof that you have no debts at UCP (Request for this declaration at our ‘Treasury Office’)
If you require more information please check SEF’s website
Accommodation
Portugal offers a wide range of accommodation for students, from university residences to apartments and rooms at reasonable prices.
University residences:
- Female University Residence (RUF) - Lisbon;
- Mixed University Residence - Braga.