International Students

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Studying and Living in Coimbra

The University of Coimbra, through its Social Services (SASUC), offers affordable accommodation in University Residences across its three campuses in the city, conveniently located near faculties, services, research centers, and other learning facilities. The residences are furnished and fully equipped, with weekly change of bedding and towels.

The SASUC provides three residences specifically for international undergraduate and integrated master's students enrolled at UC under the International Student Statute. The monthly fee includes water, electricity, gas, TV, weekly change of bedding and towels, access to a kitchen equipped with a microwave, fridge, cooker, vent hood, washing machine, tumble dryer, iron, and ironing board, as well as access to a study area.

Outside of the UC residences, there is a wide range of student accommodation options available, including furnished or unfurnished flats with fully equipped kitchens, rooms in family houses, or private residences. If you choose the latter, but are unsure about the conditions offered, you might consider staying in a hostel or hotel for a few days. Sign the rental contract only after you have arrived in Coimbra, visited the premises and checked the conditions.

Please note that you are responsible for booking your accommodation, whichever option you choose.

The SASUC also offers additional support services, including

Food: The University of Coimbra has 14 university canteens, bars, cafeterias and buffets, offering a wide range of options including traditional Portuguese and Mediterranean dishes, pizzas, pasta, vegetarian cuisine and various sandwiches. Occasionally there are theme weeks or events dedicated to traditional foods from different regions of the world. Canteen meals usually cost around €3, while cafeteria and buffet prices range from €4 to €11 per meal, depending on the dish.
Medical Assistance: The UC also offers its own medical service, providing general and specialist medical appointments at a cost ranging between 5 and 10 euros, depending on the type of consultation.
Laundry, ironing and sewing services

Childcare services (nursery and kindergarten for the children of students and staff)

Non-EU citizens wishing to study or conduct research in Portugal, including researchers with work contracts (for instance under Marie Curie), need to request a visa at the nearest Portuguese Consulate/ Embassy of their city of residence.

(I) Full degree-seeking students

After enrolment and registration, and the payment of the corresponding amounts, students can download the Acceptance Letter from inforestudante.uc.pt for free following these steps:

Login > Academic Service > Documents > Generate a new document request > Acceptance letter > Generate document > Confirm the requested data > Continue > Continue > Download

The validation (verification of authenticity) of the Acceptance Letter downloaded from inforestudante can be done by the Consulate/ Embassy here.

(II) Exchange/ Mobility students

After the acceptance of the learning/ training agreement, students can download the Acceptance Letter from inforestudante.uc.pt for free following these steps:

Login > Applications > Incoming Mobility > Details > Acceptance Documents > Download

(III) Visiting Professors/ Researchers

In the case of visiting professors/ researchers, the University of Coimbra sends them the Acceptance Letter via email and by post (if requested).

In the three cases, this letter must be annexed to the remaining documents required by the Portuguese consular services, upon visa request. The visa request should be done by the visa applicants in as short a time as possible before the start date of their stay in Portugal.

Inform yourself about the types of visa that apply to your case, required documents, and procedures at the nearest Portuguese Consulate/ Embassy of your city of residence (search for location and contacts in the interactive map of the Portuguese Communities’ Office).

The visa request, the associated costs, and the collection of documents required by the consular services are the sole responsibility of the visa applicants.

The evaluation and validation of the requests and visa issuing are the sole responsibility of the consular services.

More information available in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website about visas: https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/en

Declaration of Entry in Portugal

Non-European Union citizens entering Portugal through a EU border without passport control may need to hand in a Entry Declaration upon arrival at Portugal. Visit the Agency for INtegration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) site for more information.

Proof of Address

If you’re staying in an university residence, ask for that proof to the Accommodation Services of UC. If you’re living in a private house/ apartment, ask for that proof to the landlord/ house responsible.

Residence Permit/ Visa Extension

These procedures apply to non-European Union citizens and have to be requested to the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) front office at Loja do Cidadão or the Student Hub at UC . For that purpose you have to schedule an interview 90 days before the expiry date of your permit/ visa.

Interview appointments have to be done by phone/ Web at https://aima.gov.pt/pt.

European Citizen Registration

This registration applies to European Union, European Economic Area, Andorra and Switzerland citizens, staying for more than 3 months, and has to be done at the City Hall desk at Loja do Cidadão.

Tax Number (NIF)

This tax number is called “NIF” in Portuguese. This number is necessary in case you have tax obligations in Portugal or whenever a public or private organization providing a service to you requires this number.

In order to obtain this number you should go to a Portuguese tax service (“Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira”). You can find this service in Loja do Cidadão.

Bank Account

There are several banks in the city near the University, where you can open a bank account.

Within the framework of the agreement between the UC and the Santander Totta Bank, this bank has offices located inside the UC campuses.

Student Card

If you complete your enrolment and registration correctly and have your photo approved in the inforestudante system, the card is automatically issued. Then, you just have to wait for a email notification telling you where and when you can pick up your card. If you have any problem with the card, please get in touch with the academic services of your Faculty/ Department.

Academic Affairs

1st year full-degree International Students, who were admitted via special call for international students, should contact the Academic Assistance and Attractiveness Division, according to the indications of the email received after you are admitted.
Full-degree regular students of other study cycles should contact the Academic Management Service.

View Welcome Guide for International Students

Merit Scholarships and Awards for UC International Students

With the aim of awarding the merit and ensure equal cross-cutting opportunities to the whole community, the UC has created the Regulation no. 346/2025, which is the Regulation on the Merit Scholarships and Awards awarded to International Students in the University of Coimbra.

Find out more

Prizes and Distinctions

MERIT FRAMEWORK FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT UC

The best international students with an admission grade equal or higher than 14, who are enrolled and registered for 1st Cycle or Integrated Master’s Degree Courses, 1st curricular year, for the first time, at the UC are distinguished by being included in the 1st year UC International Student Merit Board.

DIPLOMA OF DISTINCTION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA

This Diploma is granted in a public ceremony to students whose admission score is equal or above 17 points at the UC.

DIPLOMA OF EXCELLENCY

This Diploma is granted in a public ceremony to students whose final score of Master Programmes is equal or above 17 points, when they conclude the Master Programme at UC.

BEST DOCTORATE THESIS

The Best Doctoral Thesis Prize targets national, national equivalent or international PhD holders at UC, whose scientific output during the course of the programme stands out by recognizing the quality of the Doctorate Thesis. This is an annual Prize consisting of the public granting of the Scientific Merit Medal and the Diploma of Best Doctorate Thesis at UC defended in the previous civil year, in a certain scientific area or interdisciplinary field (Regulation of Prizes and Scholarships for the students at University of Coimbra, No. 685-A/2019).