Portugal Government Scholarship 2026
Here’s the latest verified information on the Portugal Government Scholarship 2026 — a fully funded programme for international students.
International students have a fantastic opportunity to study undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate degrees at prestigious Portuguese universities through the Portugal Government Scholarships 2026. This NextGenerationEU program, which is fully sponsored by the Portuguese government, aims to provide outstanding students around the world with access to top-notch education, cutting-edge research, and cross-cultural interactions. This competitive scholarship is intended for outstanding achievers who are dedicated to furthering their education in a dynamic, internationally integrated European setting. Portugal is becoming a more alluring location for international scholars due to its robust academic institutions, inclusive society, and vibrant research output.
🏛️ Overview of the Portugal Government Scholarship 2026
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Administrator: DGES (Directorate‑General for Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education) (Amicus School)
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Levels Covered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD (Scholarships Future)
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Participating Institutions: Accredited public and private universities across Portugal (e.g., University of Porto, University of Lisbon, Coimbra, Aveiro, Minho, NOVA Lisbon, Catholic University)
🎓 Benefits Package
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Full tuition fee waiver for the duration of the chosen program
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Monthly stipend of €1,250 (typically payable over 10 months per academic year)
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Health insurance and visa or residence permit support via DGES or host institution (Scholarships Future)
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Complementary Portuguese language training in many institutions (Scholarships Future)
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Extra support for PhD candidates: research funding, conference travel grants, etc.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
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Open to international students from any nationality
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Academic requirements by level:
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Bachelor’s: Completed secondary education comparable to Portuguese 12th grade
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Master’s: Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution
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PhD: Master’s in a relevant field
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Language proficiency in English or Portuguese (B2 or equivalent, via IELTS/TOEFL or degree language)
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Financial eligibility check: household income/assets may be assessed for means-based selection
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Strong academic performance and motivation required; typically no prior degree at the same or higher level than the one applied for (Scholarships Future)
📅 Important Dates & Timeline
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Scholarship application window: ~25 June 2025 to 30 September 2025 (Amicus School)
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University admission deadlines: Vary by institution, usually between July–August 2025; you must secure admission first (EpoMag Opportunities Org)
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Results, including offers, are typically announced by December 2025
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Program start: Mostly August or September 2026; final enrollment confirmation expected before 30 June 2026 (Amicus School)
📄 Application Requirements
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Official academic transcripts and degree certificates
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Language proficiency proof (IE LTS, TOEFL, Portuguese equivalent)
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Motivation or personal statement
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CV or resume
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Two letters of recommendation
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Copy of passport and recent passport‑sized photo
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Proof of household income/assets (if required)
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(PhD applicants: research proposal, CV, publication record)
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Applications submitted online via the DGES portal (recommend registering early) (ACBA eDitions - Global Opportunities, Amicus School, EpoMag Opportunities Org, scholarships GPT)
🎯 Preparation Tips
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Apply to Portuguese universities early (by summer 2025) to secure admission.
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Create an account on the DGES portal well before deadlines and familiarize yourself with the required fields.
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Prepare all documents early, especially language tests, motivation letters, CV, and recommendation letters.
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For PhD applicants, draft a strong research proposal aligned with Portuguese academic priorities.
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Meet financial eligibility criteria, if applicable: gather required proof of income/assets.
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Show academic excellence—many recipients are selected based on GPA, research potential, and leadership track record.
🔍 Additional Funding Routes in Portugal
While the DGES scholarship is the flagship fully funded government program, other notable options include:
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FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia): offers over 1,500 fully funded PhD scholarships with monthly stipends (~€1,145), often via competitive national calls (Reddit, Amicus School, EpoMag Opportunities
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University-specific scholarships:
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University of Porto (including SAUSP: tuition + living support)
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University of Lisbon
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NOVA SBE, Católica Lisbon scholarships for business/PhD levels (Scholarships for International Students, Scholars Avenue, Blinwa)
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Erasmus+ Joint Masters: fully funded EU programmes which may include study time in Portugal as part of consortiums (Reddit)
📋 Quick Summary Table
Aspect | Details |
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Who can apply? | International students (any nationality) |
Study levels | Bachelor, Master, PhD |
Coverage | Tuition+ €1,250/mo stipends+ health insurance+ visa support |
Language | English or Portuguese proficiency required |
Application dates | 25th, June–30 Sep 2025 |
Start term | Academic year beginning in August/September 2026 |
❓ Frequently Asked
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Is airfare included?
No, travel costs are typically not covered, except select PhD grants may include conference travel funding (Scholarships Future, scholarshipsedge.com, Reddit). -
Can I work while on scholarship?
Yes—part‑time work (up to 20 hrs/week during term and full-time during holidays) is permitted. The stipend is generally sufficient for living expenses (Scholarships Future). -
Must I already know Portuguese?
Not necessarily. Many programs offer study in English. Portuguese language training is made available to recipients (Reddit, Scholarships Future).
📝 Next Steps to Take
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Identify suitable programs at top Portuguese universities (e.g. Porto, Lisbon, Coimbra, NOVA).
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Confirm admission application timelines for each university for fall 2026 intake.
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Plan and register on the DGES portal before late spring/summer 2025.
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Gather and prepare all application documents—including transcripts, language tests, motivation letter, CV, etc.
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Submit applications before the 30 September 2025 scholarship deadline.
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Monitor DGES portal and university communication for selection results later in 2025.
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Confirm full enrolment by 30 June 2026 and prepare for relocation.
With strong academic credentials, proactive planning, and the application strategy above, the Portugal Government Scholarship 2026 is a highly over‑credentialed opportunity. Want help identifying programs for your field or writing a standout motivation letter? I’ve got you covered!
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