VISA
EU/EEA citizen Citizens from the European Union, the EEA or Switzerland are exempted from the visa procedure. You can enter, stay and study in Portugal with a national identity card or a valid passport.
Non-EU/EEA citizen You must contact the Portuguese Consulate of your country to obtain a long-stay visa (exceeding 90 days): https://www.study-research.pt/en/plan-your-stay/visas-general-info/ It is recommended that the study visa is requested at least 2 months before the planned date to leave for Portugal. You need to have received the acceptance letter from UPT before starting the visa application procedure. For further information on visa requirements, you may also visit the local office of Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/solicitar/estudar/
Insurance
EU/EEA citizen European Health Insurance card allows students to be assisted in case of sickness or personal accident, thus taking advantage of a wider coverage in terms of health care. With this card, your medical expenses will be taken care of by social security in accordance with the country health benefit schedule, this meaning you will pay as much as Portuguese citizens under the same circumstances. Ex: Urgency at hospital: 18€; medical appointment at health center: 4,5€
Non-EU/EEA citizen Outside the EU or EEA states, the national health insurance schemes do not cover any costs. Health insurance must be valid during the entire mobility period and cover: doctors’ fees, medicines, examinations and analyses prescribed by a physician, urgent dental care, hospital expenses and surgical fees.
Other insurances Students undertaking a placement should pay UPT’s scholar insurance – 31,00 €/year. There are other risks which the participant should be aware of and which can be covered at one’s own discretion. The sending institution can give advice in this matter. Among others, the following insurances could be concluded:
- Civil liability including third-party liability occasioned by physical or material damage to third parties.
- Treatment and repatriation expenses, funeral expenses, death and permanent disablement.
- Theft and loss of documents (e.g. identity card, passport, travel tickets)
- Travel between home institution and host institution.
Opening a Portuguese Bank account
You will be needing a Portuguese Tax Payer’s Card Number (NIF- Número de Identificação Fiscal).
So, first of all, go to “Finanças”.
This one is probably your best bet: R. de Gonçalo Sampaio 291, 4150-365 Porto. Schedule: from 9 am to 3 pm. Take with you:
- Identity Card or Passport
- Address proof from your “home country”
If you are a non EU/EEA citizen, you should ask a Portuguese citizen to be your Tax representative. You will receive a single A4 sheet of paper with the information you provided and your new NIF. Go to the bank and show again:
- Identity Card or Passport
- Address proof from your “home country” + NIF
These banks may be a good option since they do not charge any maintenance fees.
https://www.santander.pt/cartoes/cartoes-debito/cartao-global-u
https://www.activobank.pt/en/public/produtos/Pages/homepage.aspx