CATÓLICA-LISBON

For stays longer than one year: non-EU students will need a Residence Permit. Firstly, in order to apply for a Residence Permit, students need to have completed and entered a Residence Visa into their passports before entering Portugal (valid for a period of 4 months). Non-Eu students can apply for the Residence Visa at a Portuguese Embassy or Portuguese Consulate in their home country or in their country of residence. Afterwards, the application for a Residence Permit is automatically appointed at the Integration, Migration and Asylum Agency (AIMA, Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) and it must be submitted personally on a standard form signed by the applicant. The application can be submitted at any AIMA’s directorate or regional delegation and it may take up to 90 days to be issued by our authorities. Residence permits are valid according to the duration of the student's program.

Some or all of the following standard documents may be required:

• Residence Visa
• Two identical passport-sized color photographs with plain background
• Valid Passport
• Completed AIMA's application form
• Proof of address
• Proof of sufficient means of support
• Criminal record from the country of nationality of the person applying or criminal record from the country where the citizen resided for more than one year before residing in Portugal, duly authenticated
• Proof of enrollment
• Proof that you have no debts at Universidade Católica Portuguesa 
• Proof of health insurance coverage or proof that you are covered by the National Health Service

If you require additional assistance, please contact our Student Experience team at we.are.clsbe@ucp.pt. We collaborate closely with a dedicated team of legal experts who will support you every step of the way through the process.

Opening a bank account might seem intimidating, but it's entirely doable and it will benefit students' day-to-day life.

CATÓLICA-LISBON has established a partnership with the national bank “Caixa Geral de Depósitos”, which is responsible for the issuance of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa student cards. In a branch of the bank, you can open a bank account without costs. In order to do this you should bring the following documents with you:

1. National Identification Card or Valid Passport;
2. Portuguese Fiscal Number (NIF) - See information regarding NIF
3. Rental contract or Bank declaration (this can also be issued by the International Office stating your Portuguese address, as proof of address.)

After being successfully admitted, students will receive our Student Guide with more detailed information on how to proceed step by step.

In case students decide to open a Portuguese bank account, one of the necessary requirements is a Portuguese Fiscal Number (NIF) issued by the Tax Offices (“Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira” or “Finanças”).

Students must present the following:
1. Identity Document/Passport;
2. Document proving an address in Portugal;

No costs are charged for the issuance of this document.

Important: It is highly recommended that students book an appointment in advance if they need to visit a Tax Office to obtain their NIF (Tax Identification Number). While students can potentially be attended to without an appointment if they arrive before 11:30 AM, this is not guaranteed.

Alternatively, the process can be completed online. Please note that all students from countries outside the European Union must have a Portuguese Tax Representative, whether they request the NIF in person or online.

If, at any point during the process, students need a Portuguese Tax Representative, please write to we.are.clsbe@ucp.pt

Portugal has a public healthcare system, run by the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS).

Most essential medical services are available free of charge, while non-essential services or treatments require a small co-payment. Lisbon has plenty of hospitals and healthcare facilities, so there are many options to choose from in terms of either public facilities or private institutions. 

You can take a look at some of them here: 

In case you need further assistance with this you can write to our team: we.are.clsbe@ucp.pt

Managing a full course load can become very overwhelming, generating high levels of anxiety and stress. Learning how to relax and manage stress is just as important as the time you spend studying with the work you need to complete.

Our Social Responsibility Office, in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Human Sciences, have been working to promote the mental health and well-being of our academic community through Mental Health Counselling. As such, our School offer the possibility for all students to enjoy this service, as all support is given either in Portuguese or English.

For more information and details on how to make an appointment, please write to we.are.clsbe@ucp.pt.

In Lisbon, students must hold a card in order to use public transportation. The best option would be to acquire and charge the  Monthly-Based Card called “Navegante Metropolitano/Municipal”, which gives you access to all transport operators in Lisbon metropolitan area. This is the cheapest method to travel in the city.

You can request your card at any metro and train station. You will need the following documents:

1. Application form - personally requested at any metro station, train station or here. Afterwards, it must be handed over personally at the metro or train station where you wish to do your monthly card;
2. Passport photo;
3. Identity document;
4. Contact details (address, email and mobile phone number);
5. Proof of enrollment - if requesting a Navegante Travel Card with the sub23 profile;
6. Taxpayer Identification Number (NIF) – if requesting a Navegante Travel Card with the sub23 profile.

You can also find more information on the following links:

• Metro services in Lisbon
• Carris/Bus services in Lisbon

To be able to live and study in a new country offers the possibility of getting familiar with a new language! As such, in our School students will find the opportunity of learning Portuguese.

This course is intended for beginners in Portuguese as a foreign language and aims at preparing participants for their first contact with the language and the daily communicative situations they will come across whilst in the country. The course is offered every semester, starting at the beginning of September and February. Guidelines and fees are sent by e-mail to all international students. 

• Crash course: total of 18hours (1.5 ECTS credit points)
• Extensive course: total of 54hours (4.5 ECTS credit points)