Study MBBS in Portugal for Pakistani Students 2025-26

Studying MBBS in Portugal is the best choice for Pakistani students, as it provides a healthy environment for studying. Portugal is the most beautiful country in Europe and is famous for its awesome architecture, rich heritage, unique climate, incredible countryside, and oldest history.  Portugal provides an effective opportunity for medical studies. MBBS duration in Portugal is six years, and the Portuguese university offers a comprehensive and globally recognized medical degree.

Acquiring a medical degree in Portugal is an exciting way to a fulfilling career. The best institutes, such as Coimbra, Lisbon, and Porto, boast professional faculty and strong research programs. The Portuguese government provides many need and merit-based scholarships to Pakistani students. The teaching language for studying MBBS in Portugal is English. For medical study, IELTS requires a minimum score of 6.0 to 7.0.

The tuition fee for MBBS varies according to the university, but the average is approximately 4000 to 10000 EUR per year. The monthly living cost in Portugal is around 750 to 1400 EUR, depending on lifestyle and residence. Portugal medical universities allow part-time jobs for 20 hours per week during their studies and full-time during holidays and semester breaks. The success visa ratio is about 70% to 80% for international students, including Pakistan. The required bank statement is around 6000 to 7000 euros for six months.

Advantages of Studying MBBS in Portugal

There are the following benefits to studying MBBS in Portugal for Pakistani students.

• High-quality education: Portugal is the hub of various prestigious and oldest institutions in the world, such as Coimbra University, which is renowned for its excellence in medical education. The universities of Portugal are famous for their high-quality education and are well-recognized globally.
• Cultural experience: Studying MBBS in Portugal offers a beautiful landscape, warm climate, and vibrant cities that make it an enjoyable place to study. Portuguese are popular due to their friendly and welcoming behavior.
• Affordability; Portugal offers an affordable option for medical education, with average tuition fees ranging from 4000 to 10000 EUR per year. This cost-effective approach makes it an ideal destination for Pakistani students looking to manage their academic expenses while receiving a quality education.
• Experienced faculty: Portuguese universities, such as Coimbra, Lisbon, and Porto, are home to experienced faculty and robust research programs, ensuring students receive a high-quality education and gain valuable insights from seasoned professionals.
• Englis taught programs: The official language of Portugal is Portuguese, but some institutes provide medical programs in English, making it reachable for Pakistani students who are good in English but not Portuguese. This allows Pakistani students to concentrate on their education without any worries about the language barrier. Furthermore, learning the Portuguese language during studies can enhance personal growth and professional life.
• Quality of life: Portugal provides Pakistani students with a quality of life, a unique climate, healthcare, and excellent food.
• Safe country: Portugal is among the safest nations in the world, with a low crime rate, which makes it an ideal destination for Pakistani students.
• Global Recognition: MBBS degrees from Portugal are globally recognized, opening doors for graduates to practice medicine internationally and ensuring a promising start to their medical careers.
• Clinical experience: Pakistani students get clinical experience in well-established clinics and hospitals, which exposes them to various medical treatments and conditions.
• Research opportunities: Portugal is increasingly recognized for its research and innovation in multiple medical areas. Pakistani students have opportunities to be involved in cutting-edge research projects.
• Scholarship chances: Students can apply for these scholarships through the respective university's scholarship office or the Portuguese embassy in Pakistan. The application process usually involves submitting academic transcripts, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. There are multiple scholarships in Portugal for Pakistani students that can decrease the financial burden related to MBBS studies. These grants provide an opportunity for students to get a quality education in Portugal.
• Language skills: During your MBBS study, you can learn Portuguese, which can significantly improve your professional and personal skills. Proficiency in the local language can enhance your communication with patients and colleagues, and it can also enrich your cultural experience and make your daily life in Portugal more enjoyable.
• Part-time work opportunity; Students can work part-time for 20 hours weekly during their studies and full-time during their holidays. The types of jobs available for students are usually in the service industry, such as restaurants, cafes, or retail stores. These jobs can help students cover their living expenses and gain valuable work experience.

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Scholarships to Study MBBS in Portugal

There are various scholarships in Portugal for MBBS students. Some of them are described below:

1. Portuguese government scholarships
2. University of Coimbra scholarships
3. University of Lisbon scholarships
4. The University of Porto scholarships
5. The University of Minho scholarships
6. Nova School of Business and Economics Scholarships

1. Portuguese Government Scholarships

The Portuguese government offers a scholarship to Pakistani students with a monthly stipend of 1250 EUR for 12 months. The benefits of this scholarship are tuition fee coverage, high-quality education, a monthly stipend, no application fee, and chances to travel in Europe. This scholarship is offered to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in various field studies, including medicine.

2. University of Coimbra Scholarships

The University of Coimbra scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that covers tuition expenses. It is offered to bachelor and integrated postgraduate programs. Students will receive scholarships worth between 1000 and 2000 EUR. This scholarship covers various programs, such as medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical pharmacy, and bioanalytical sciences.

3. University of Lisbon Scholarships

Lisbon University provides multiple merit-based scholarships to brilliant students who enroll in medical studies. These scholarships are offered for bachelor's and master's programs. Depending on educational performance, this scholarship covers tuition fees. Moreover, this grant decreases the tuition fee, around 7k to 12k EUR yearly.

4. The University of Porto Scholarships

The University of Porto provides multiple scholarships to Pakistani students:

• SASUP scholarship is offered to bachelor's and postgraduate students and provides monthly cash grants. 
• Merit Scholarships: Awarded to students with brilliant educational performance. This scholarship is offered to undergraduate, postgraduate, and integrated master's programs.
• Scientific Scholarships: These scholarships cover tuition expenses and provide additional financial aid, about 240 to 340 EUR monthly, for Pakistani students involved in research projects. The scholarship aims to provide scientific training in research projects in Portugal.

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Medical universities in Portugal for Pakistani students

Following world-class medical universities in Portugal that are more affordable than other European institutes are given below:

1. University of Lisbon
2. University of Coimbra
3. University of Minho
4. Lisbon School of Medicine
5. University of Porto
6. University of Aveiro
7. NOVA University of Lisbon
8. University of Algarve

1. University of Lisbon

The University of Lisbon's medicine faculty is famous for its top-notch medical faculty and advanced teaching facilities. It is among the best medical universities in Portugal and Europe. This is the biggest public research institute in Portugal, situated in Lisbon. Moreover, it was founded in 1911. This university has an acceptance rate of 37%, with an IELTS score of 5.0 to 6.5. It has a world ranking of 260. The average tuition fee is approximately 4k to 6k EUR per year.

2. University of Coimbra

The University of Coimbra is the oldest and was founded in 1290. This university offers both density and medicine programs. This is a public-sector university situated in Coimbra. This university enrolled 25k students, of which 15% are international, including Pakistan. Moreover, this is the 355 world-ranked university. The university has an acceptance rate of 40-50%. IELTS requires a band score of 6.5. The average tuition cost is around 7000 EUR per year.

3. University of Minho

The University of Minho is a public institute in Minho province. It was founded in 1973. The faculty of medicine is the new department in this university. This university has various campuses, such as Azurem, Couros, Gualtar, and Congregados. This is Portugal's largest university, with 600 staff members and 1300 professors. Additionally, this university has a world ranking of 611-620 with an acceptance rate of 40%. The average tuition fee is about 6000 to 9000 EUR per year. IELTS is needed with a band score of 6.5.

4. University of Porto

The University of Porto is a public research institute founded in 1911. Its faculty of medicine and Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences offer medical education. The University of Porto's medicine faculty is well-considered in Portugal and globally. Thanks to its multiple operative medical research centers, it is the best research university in the country.

Moreover, the average tuition fee is about 6000 EUR per year. The university has a 278 world ranking, while IELTS is required with a minimum band score of 6.0. The acceptance rate of this university is around 58.8%.

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Admission Requirements and Document List

Common admission documents that are needed to study MBBS in Portugal are listed below:

• Copy of valid passport
• Recent passport-sized pictures
• Previous educational documents
• Motivational letter
• English language proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL)
• Entrance exams such as ACT or SAT
• Recommendation letter
• Birth certificate
• Health insurance
• Statement of Purpose
• CV
• Financial means evidence
• Paid application fee proof (50 euros)
• No criminal record
• Medical certificate

Visa Requirements and Documents List

The success visa ratio is about 70%-80%. There are the following visa documents are required to study MBBS in Portugal:

• Valid passport
• Passport sized pictures
• Past academic certificate
• Signed visa application form
• Visa application fee receipt (80 EUR)
• Acceptance letter
• Medical insurance
• Certificate of criminal record
• Accommodation proof
• Bank statement (6k to 7k EUR for 6 months)
• Flight reservation
• IELTS certificate
• Birth certificate

Cost of Living

The average cost of living is approximately 750 to 1400 EUR per month, which covers accommodation (300-600), academic materials (50-100), health insurance (20-50), transport (30-50), food and groceries (200-300), and utilities (50-100).

Part-time Working Hours and Income

Portugal allows part-time jobs for 20 hours per week during studies and 40 hours per week during holidays. The minimum wage in Portugal is about 5 EUR per hour.

After Study Work-permit

After study completion, Pakistani students can apply for a work visa within 30 days of student visa expiry. You can work in clinics, hospitals, private practice, and the public health sector.

FAQs

Q1) What are the benefits of studying MBBS in Portugal?

Answer: Studying MBBS in Portugal offers many benefits, such as high-quality education, affordability, various scholarships, language skills, research opportunities, and cultural experience.

Q2) How much is the bank balance needed for a Portugal student visa?

Answer: A 6000 to 7000 EUR bank statement is required for six months for a Portugal student visa.

Q3) Can Pakistani students stay in Portugal after their studies?

Answer: After completing their studies, Pakistani students can apply for a work visa within 30 days of their visa expiry.

Q4) How many years of MBBS in Portugal?

Answer: The duration of the MBBS in Portugal is six years. During your studies, you can work for twenty hours per week.