Accomodation
Finding a place to settle while in Lisbon is usually the number one concern of the incoming ERASMUS student. We always advice the students to come some days prior to the beginning of classes to start looking for a room since it can be a demanding task. The ERASMUS students have the possibility to enter on of the University residencies but since there are very limited vacancies (usually about 10% of the total of students that come to Lisbon), the most common solution is to find a private room or a flat to rent.
University Students Residences
Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa) has 19 residences for students in Lisbon. To apply for a vacancy, foreign students participating in these programs should:
- Send an e-mail to Erasmus Office, enclosing arrival and departure dates;
- This request must be made after the acceptance of the study period has been confirmed;
- If the student is assigned an accommodation on the above conditions, he or she shall be informed of all the procedures to be followed.
The ULisboa residences aren’t free, but are subject to the payment of a monthly fee which is fixed annually.
There isn’t any individual rooms available, only shared one’s for 2 or 3 persons (accordingly with residency where the student will stay). Upon arrival in Lisbon the student should first go to the Fine Arts Academic Services (ERASMUS Office) to obtain a statement of ERASMUS student. In order to ensure accommodation on the day of arrival, students should arrive in Lisbon on a weekday and contact the SASUL’s Student Support Office, Lodging Services, before 2.30 pm. Each residency supplies linen bed and bathroom clothes. The kitchen is equipped with kitchen stove and refrigerator, but there aren’t any kitchen utilities. In mixed residences the rooms and apartments are separated into male and female facilities.
SASUL / Stands for Serviços de Acção Social da Universidade de Lisboa (social care services of the University of Lisbon) and is located in Rua da Junqueira, nº 86, 1349-025 Lisboa, PORTUGAL.
Other Contacts:
sasul@sas.ul.pt
apoio.aluno@sas.ul.pt
alojamento@sas.ulisboa.pt
Phone +351 21 780 39 80
Opening Hours:
Monday to Fridat > 9.30 to 12h30 am and 2 to 3 pm.
Outside ULisboa
Foreign students can also rent a room or an apartment and share it with other students. It is common to find apartments for rent throughout the city of Lisbon. Prices vary by location and property conditions. ERASMUS Office has accommodation contacts outside the ULisboa campus.
The ULisboa has no connection with the institutions listed below, and only chooses to list these institutions with the goal of supporting newly-arrived mobility program students. The ULisboa cannot be held responsible for any problems arising from contracts between students and institutions listed below. However, if a ULisboa student takes advantage of an accommodation published on our website, and finds that his or her living situation is contrary to the publication’s description or is disrespectful to the contractee, please report the problem.
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Lisbon City
Lisbon is the capital and the largest city of Portugal. With over 20 centuries of History, this city located on the 7 hills has more than 500,000 inhabitants.
Lisbon shows multiple contrasts between the historical and modern, combining different cultures, trends and lifestyles. Situated near the Tagus river and sunny almost all the time, the Portuguese capital has a unique beauty and an internationally acclaimed architectural singularity.
Rich in monuments, neighborhoods (Baixa Pombalina, Belém, Bairro Alto, Chiado, Bica, Alfama and Mouraria), riverside zone, Fado houses, parks, gardens and viewpoints, Lisbon offers various possibilities to discover, so visit and enjoy the vast natural, historic and cultural city heritage.
Landmarks such as the Medieval Castle of St. George, Medieval Cathedral, Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, National Pantheon, Palace Square and the Downtown are some of the tourist attractions of Lisbon that fascinate thousands of visitors from around the world.
The gastronomy of Lisbon is very influenced by its proximity to the sea. So typical specialties in Lisbon are fried cod, fried green beans, and grilled sardines on bread (mainly in the feast of the popular saints that occurs during the month of June). The famous Bife à Café is also considered a capital’s “ex-libris” food. The most famous dessert in Lisbon is the traditional Pastel de Nata (custard tart), made in a former factory in Belém, better known as Pastel de Belém.
Visiting Lisbon is living different experiences. Lisbon is a city that charms its visitors.
Cost of Living
The average prices when living in Lisbon are:
Meals: 225€/month
Room rental: 300 to 450€/month (Expenses such as power and water supply possibly not included.)
Studio or apartment rental: 450 TO 600€/month
Public transportation pass: 35€/month (bus and metro)
Museum/monuments ticket: 2 to 15€
Cinema ticket: 6.5€
Theatre, concert, opera or ballet tickets: 20 to 75€
National Minimum Wage: 557€/month
Visas
EU nationals
Students from all Member States of the European Union (EU) must have a valid ID card. European Union citizens staying in Portugal for longer than 90 days, within 3 months after their arrival, should request a residence card from the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF). All EU citizens are entitled to this card, which is valid for one year and can be extended annually.
Non-EU nationals
All students that are non-European Union nationals must obtain a study visa from the Portuguese Consulate located in their home country, prior to their arrival.
The issuing of the study visa is dependent on the letter sent by the School of Ulisboa accepting the student. The study visa is only valid for the expected duration of the period of studies, and up to one year.
It is recommended that the request for the study visa at the Portuguese Consulate is made at least two months in advance, before the date of arrival in Lisbon.
It is suggested that students may be accompanied by an entry record (Entry Declaration), until three days after their arrival in Portugal.
It is recommended that all exchange students both European and non-European nationals are always in possession of their identification documents.
Under the terms of the Schengen Agreement for free movement of persons occurring within the Schengen area, students in possession of a visa from one Schengen State do not need to obtain another visa.
Health Insurance
Entry into Portugal requires no vaccination, unless students are from a geographical area of risk.
Students from EU countries should obtain the European Health Insurance Card in their country of origin prior to their arrival. The European Health Insurance Card gives access to the Portuguese public health system (National Health Service).
Students who are not European Union citizens must have a valid private health insurance. It is recommended that when contracting the insurance, students have prior knowledge of the terms, conditions and coverage provided for the Portuguese territory.
Mobility students in the Following Schools are covered by the School Insurance, for accidents during their activities exclusively related to their scholarly activities at the university.