Accommodation

Accommodation

To study or research in Portugal it is necessary to find a home away from home that is adequate to the circumstances and individual preferences.

The majority of the higher education institutions have student residences and, in some cases, they also have accommodation for teachers and researchers. For those who study in one of these institutions, this may be one of the first options to consider when searching for accommodation. Information should be provided preferably directly by the institution.

For those who prefer to rent a room/apartment through the private market, individually or to share, the options range from accommodation in family homes to specific places for students, teachers and researchers.  

The cost of accommodation is, generally, lower in the higher education residences, and generally higher in cities that are densely populated and sought after.

As a complement to the normal adverts in newspapers, the internet has gained an increasing importance in disseminating accommodation offers, through specific portals or social networks. It is also very frequent to find accommodation adverts in and around the perimeter of the higher education institution.

Useful advice

• Photographs can be misleading, it is important to go and see the accommodation.
• If something isn’t clear, it is necessary to request more information.
• It is necessary to confirm what is included in the price.
• Avoid transferring money without the guarantee that it is safe to do so.
• In some cases you can consider an accommodation as temporary until you find “the one”.

Rent values vary depending on the region. Go to the Cost of Living section of the website for more information on housing prices.