Studying in Coimbra: universities, costs, housing and student life

Why study in Coimbra

Coimbra built its identity around a single university that has run continuously since 1290, and the city center still centers on its hilltop campus. Studying here means smaller program sizes compared to Lisbon or Porto, a historic setting, and one of the lowest costs of living among Portugal's university cities.

The University of Coimbra

The University of Coimbra had 29,577 total students as of fall 2023, split across 13,213 undergraduates, 10,017 postgraduates, and 3,724 doctoral students. More than 15% of the student body is international, drawn from over 70 countries, which makes Coimbra one of Portugal's more internationally mixed campuses despite its smaller size next to Lisbon and Porto.

The university's historic core, the Paço das Escolas and its surrounding Alta district, holds UNESCO World Heritage status. Faculties spread from this old center into newer buildings across the city, covering law, medicine, sciences, arts, and engineering.

Tuition and funding

Portuguese public universities charge an annual tuition fee to all students, including EU applicants, though the amount stays modest compared to fees at private universities or in many other European countries. Non-EU students typically pay a higher international fee, set separately by the university, so check the current rate for your program directly with the University of Coimbra.

SASUC also runs need-based grants that can reduce the effective cost of tuition and living expenses for eligible students. Application windows and eligibility rules run on their own schedule, separate from the main admission process.

Cost of living in Coimbra

Source: Numbeo cost of living data for Coimbra . Coimbra runs cheaper than Lisbon and Porto across the board, and a single room in a shared house or a república costs a fraction of a full apartment.

Housing: repúblicas and student residences

Coimbra has a housing tradition unlike any other Portuguese city: the república, a self-managed student house passed down between generations of students, often decorated with murals and named after the students who lived there over decades. Rooms in repúblicas rent for less than the private market and come with an established house culture, though spaces open up mostly by word of mouth or through student networks rather than public listings.

• Contact SASUC, the university's social services office, for information on subsidized student residences and need-based housing support.

• Search private rooms and shared flats through local listings if you want more independence than a república offers.

• Start your housing search before arrival. Rooms near the historic center go first, especially before the September intake.

Getting around: transport

SMTUC runs Coimbra's public bus network, and a standard monthly pass costs around 30 EUR, according to Numbeo . The historic center sits on a hill, so expect some walking regardless of how much you use the bus network. Coimbra's compact size means most student housing sits within a 20 to 30 minute walk or a short bus ride from the main faculties.

Student support and services

SASUC (Serviços de Ação Social da Universidade de Coimbra) runs the university's social support system, covering subsidized canteens, need-based grants, and student residences. Check current eligibility and application windows directly on the SASUC site, since terms and amounts change between academic years.

Academic calendar

Portuguese universities run two semesters each year. The first starts in September and runs through January, and the second starts in February and runs through July, with most exchange placements built around a single semester. Confirm your program's exact dates with the University of Coimbra before booking travel.

Applying as an international student

EU and EEA students can enroll in Coimbra without a visa, though registering with local authorities is required after arrival. Non-EU students need a student visa applied for at a Portuguese consulate before travel, based on an admission letter from the University of Coimbra. Apply well before the semester start, since Portuguese visa processing can take longer than the university's own enrollment deadlines.

Practical steps before you arrive

Apply for a NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal), Portugal's tax identification number, soon after arrival. You need it to open a bank account, sign a rental contract, or get a phone contract, and it works as a basic requirement for most administrative tasks in Portugal.

Register with local authorities once you have accommodation confirmed, a standard step for both EU and non-EU students living in Portugal for an extended period.

Health insurance

EU and EEA students can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access Portugal's public healthcare system (SNS) during their studies. Non-EU students generally need private health insurance to meet visa requirements, and should confirm the exact coverage rules with the Portuguese consulate handling their visa application.

Where students live

Solum and the streets around Praça da República hold a dense cluster of repúblicas and student rentals close to the main university buildings. Students who want a quieter setting often look toward Santa Clara, across the Mondego river, a short walk or bus ride from the historic center.

Student life in Coimbra

Coimbra's academic calendar peaks each May with Queima das Fitas, a week-long festival that marks the end of the academic year with parades, concerts, and the ribbon-burning ceremony that gives the festival its name. Students wear black capes tied to specific faculties, a tradition older than most other student customs in Europe and one that shapes daily student identity in the city.

Outside festival season, the Mondego river and its riverside paths give students a break from the steep streets of the old town. Cafes cluster around Praça da República, a natural meeting point for students from every faculty.