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| Hoisted Flag of Portugal |
A few years back, my cousin, who had been in Portugal just for a semester before, his narrative and description of the beautiful country made me yearn to go and study in such a place. Talking about the castles, which are centuries old, the modern research labs he talked about kept me in the loop, wondering for a while how being in a place like that will feel like. What kept me wondering the more was when he spoke about the difficult decisions he always had to make, whether to choose pastéis de nata or francesinha for lunch.
Well, my parents didn't have the money to further pay for my visit to Portugal, as compared to him, who had the scholarship to further his studies over there. To benefit from this, I tried applying for the same scholarship back then, but failed brutally. Though I happen to find myself benefiting from a different scholarship today, which you can verify on my LinkedIn profile, it doesn't hinder me from still sharing the current available opportunity with other students who would love to study in Portugal.
The applications for the 2026 Fully Funded International Scholarship covering Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs at the top universities of Portugal have been officially opened by the Government of Portugal. And this is a type of scholarship you can do without worrying about the amount of money left in your bank account.
Why Consider Studying In Portugal
Besides being in the land popularly known for its football legends and its calm beaches, I often see on social media, Portugal is also a place where education is cherished and loved. According to Study in Portugal, the country welcomes thousands of international students each and every year. I have always asked my reason why it is so, until I read a magazine about universities in Portugal, and I realized that it has world-class universities, there are low costs of living, and I won't forget to mention their friendly English-speaking communities. Although I have not once in my life visited this country, what people say about it, and what I have read personally and heard from friends about the country, make it a good environment for a student to consider studying at.
Below is a quick overview of the Portugal Government Scholarship 2026.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host Country | Portugal |
| Funded By | The Government of Portugal |
| Eligible Levels | Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD |
| Eligible Applicants | All international students |
| Host Institutions | Accredited Portuguese universities |
| Deadline | September 30, 2025 |
The benefits you will enjoy from this scholarship.
To be honest with you, this is not where you are only going to sit in the lecture hall. You are getting a full support package from the Government, and here is what is on offer.
- 🎓 You benefit from full tuition coverage. There are no fees hidden in this, no fine print. The Government of Portugal is responsible for all expenses and covers all of yours.
- 💶 You get to benefit from a monthly stipend of €1250. This is an amount which is more than enough to cover your rent, your books, and if that weekly café habit you will get accustomed to, like my cousin did.
- 🌍 You get access to the top universities in Europe. From Lisbon to Porto, you will study at institutions known for research and their excellence in Academics.
- 🗣️ You will learn in both English and Portuguese, or if you want to impress the locals there, then I guess you will learn in both languages.
- 🕍 Yes, you can't be in Portugal without being influenced by their culture and way of life. You will know about their history, and the fado music, which I learned, makes Portugal so unique.
- 💼 After graduation, you can find opportunities across Europe. This, I can say, is thanks to their strong international recognition.
- ❤️ Worried about the health and visa supports? You don't need to. Because you don't have to worry about the paperwork or the doctor's bill when studying abroad.
Wondering where I got this information from?
It is no other place than the Government of Portugal's Higher Education Portal, and the European Education Area Report.
Who Can Apply - Pretty Much Everyone
The scholarship is open to every student on the continent. So do not worry where you find yourself. Whether you find yourself in Africa, Asia, Europe, or the Americas, you can apply. All you asked for were your A's you had in your exams.
- To know if you are eligible, read my breakdown below:
- You must have completed Secondary School if you are applying as a Bachelor's Applicant.
- If you are applying as a Master's Applicant, then you need to have a bachelor's degree.
- If you are applying as a PhD Applicant, your master's degree is needed.
- At least be fluent in speaking English or Portuguese, depending on the program you selected. If you are fluent in both languages, then that's a plus for you.
- You must have a good academic record. Forget about it if your academic record is last on the race track.
- Tell them why you want to study in Portugal. This is your chance to let them know how unique you are.
How to Apply for the Portugal Government Scholarship 2026
Here is the step-by-step
- Visit the official scholarship portal on the Government of Portal Website.
- Choose the university you prefer and your program choice. Check that the program is eligible for the scholarship before you proceed.
- Prepare your academic document. Note the ones I have listed below:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree Certificates.
- Language test scores (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, or Portuguese proficiency test.
- Letter of recommendation.
4. Submit your online application before the deadline and wait.
If you are eligible to apply. Click on this link.
From My Own Perspective: What Makes Portugal's Scholarship Special
Getting this scholarship helps you to meet a lot of people from all walks of life. These people might have walked the same path you have walked in life before, and meeting them allows you to go further in life.
👉 Apply before September 30, 2025, and who knows, you might be sipping espresso between lectures in Lisbon this time next year.
Below are hands-on opportunities you can grab.
- Fully Funded McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill University
- Fully-funded PhD Scholarships at Makerere University for 2025/2026
- Fully-funded DAAD EPOS Scholarships for Master's and PhD
- Fully-funded PhD Opportunity at the University of Quebec in Outaouais-Canada 2025
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