Are you dreaming of studying in Portugal but worried about the cost? The Government of Portugal is now officially accepting applications for its Higher Education Scholarship Program for the 2025–2026 academic year — a golden opportunity for international and local students facing financial constraints.
What’s the Opportunity?
This fully government-funded scholarship aims to support financially disadvantaged students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, or Higher Professional Technical Courses (CTESP) at both public and private Portuguese higher education institutions. Scholarships cover the full academic year, paid in 10 monthly installments, and are designed to ease tuition, living, and education-related expenses.
For PhD-level studies, international applicants are encouraged to apply separately via FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) Scholarships.
Who Can Apply?
- Students (national and foreign) enrolled in Portuguese public or private universities
- Must be studying at least 30 ECTS credits
- Should not already hold a degree equivalent or higher than the one they’re applying for
- Must meet income thresholds:
- Annual household income under €11,049.89
- Movable assets below €115,303.20
Working students and those with temporary income may qualify under special allowances. Refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and students under temporary protection from Ukraine can receive up to €5,981.73 — the maximum grant available — even if minimum income limits aren’t met.
How to Apply?
- Go to the official DGES portal: https://www.dges.gov.pt
- Log in or retrieve your credentials
- Fill in the online form and upload your required documents
- Use the DGES Scholarship Simulator to estimate your possible grant
Apply: https://www.gov.pt/servicos/candidatar-se-a-uma-bolsa-de-estudo-para-o-ensino-superior
Application Timeline
Applications for the Portugal Government Higher Education Scholarship for the 2025–2026 academic year must be submitted between June 25 and September 30, 2025. If a student registers after September 30, they have up to 20 working days from their date of registration to apply. For those beginning a professional internship, the application must be submitted within 20 working days after receiving proof of the internship’s commencement.
Additionally, students may still apply during the academic year between October 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026, but in such cases, the awarded scholarship amount will be adjusted proportionally based on the remaining months of the academic year. Students completing their bachelor’s degree this year and starting a master’s degree next year must also apply within the June 25 to September 30 window or within 20 working days following late registration.