Portugal Education and Training Services Industry Snapshot
Last published date:

Capital:  Lisbon

Population: 10.2 million (2022 est.)

GDP (Purchasing Power Parity):  $331.6 billion (2020 est., in 2017 dollars)

Currency:  Euro (EUR/€)

Language:  Portuguese (official)

 

UNESCO Student Mobility Number

Portugal has 22,807 students studying abroad according to UNESCO.

CIA World Factbook

24.52% of the population in Portugal is under 25 years old.

 

OVERVIEW

 The Portuguese higher education system is currently a three-cycle system, with a network of more than 40 public and 92 private higher education institutions.

According to the 2022 Institute of International Education Open Doors Report, there were 1,030 students from Portugal studying in the United States during the academic year 2021-2022, an increase of 30% percent compared with the previous year.  However, the proportion of the Portuguese population between the ages of 15-24 years has been declining over the past ten years.

In the 2021-2022 academic year, 477 students from Portugal enrolled in the United States at the undergraduate level, followed by the graduate level with 311 students. Optional Practical Training (OPT) followed with 136 students and, lastly, 106 students enrolled in non-degree programs, such as English language or short-term studies.

Portuguese students are actively seeking study abroad opportunities, and many take full advantage of the European Union’s Erasmus program for exchanges within Europe.  Portuguese students highly value educational opportunities in non-EU countries, namely the United States.

SUB-SECTORS

 •  U.S. – Portuguese university student exchange programs

•  High school exchange programs

•  ESL – English as a Second Language intensive short-term programs

•  Distance and e-learning

OPPORTUNITIES

Portuguese students are primarily interested in the following types of programs in the U.S.:

  • U.S. universities and community colleges
  • Undergraduate, graduate, and master’s degree programs
  • Summer camps
  • Online programs
  • Boarding schools
  • Optional Practical Training (OPT)

To effectively enter the Portuguese market, it is highly recommended that U.S. schools consider the following strategies:

  1. Seek partnerships or agreements with public or private universities to facilitate joint programs and exchange programs for students and faculty.
  2. Participate in local recruitment fairs, trade missions, and outreach events, as well as meet face-to-face with school counselors and other stakeholders.
  3. Identify local agents/distributors/partners.

U.S. schools should also provide clear and in-depth information about programs and the application process, as well as describe opportunities for scholarships and financial aid.  Due to the current conditions of Portugal’s economy and the fact that tuition fees in Portugal and in Europe are generally lower than in the United States, fully- or partially funded scholarships are the best way to attract Portuguese students.

EVENTS

RESOURCES

 • U.S. Commercial Service, Portugal:  https://www.trade.gov/portugal

• Fulbright Commission Portugal:  http://www.fulbright.pt/

• Portuguese National Council of Education:  http://www.cnedu.pt/

• Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities:  http://www.crup.pt/

• Portuguese Polytechnic Institutes Coordinating Council:  http://www.ccisp.pt/

• Portuguese Association of Private Higher Education:  https://www.apesp.pt/

• Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology:  https://www.fct.pt/


U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE CONTACT

Ana Vila, Commercial Advisor

U.S. Commercial Service – Lisbon, Portugal

Email: Ana.Vila@trade.gov

Phone: +351 217 702 532