Portugal Government Scholarship (DGES) in Europe 2026/2027
The Portugal Government Scholarship, administered by Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior (DGES), provides genuine financial support to students at public or private higher education institutions in Portugal — full or partial tuition coverage plus a living expenses grant, calculated against real household income and family circumstances.
Don’t Miss: Top Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students
This scholarship is not open to applicants worldwide the way “all countries eligible” usually implies: you must already be either a Portuguese citizen or a foreigner holding permanent residency in Portugal. If you’re applying from abroad without existing Portuguese residency, this specific scholarship isn’t accessible to you, regardless of how strong your application would otherwise be.
Also, Check Out: Top Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships in Europe
Portugal Government Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Portugal Government Scholarship (Bolsa de Estudo, DGES) |
| Host Country ⇒ | Portugal |
| Study Level ⇒ | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Master’s |
| Eligible Applicants ⇒ | Portuguese citizens, or foreigners with permanent Portuguese residency |
| Benefits ⇒ | Full or partial tuition support, living expenses grant, based on household income |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 14 August – 2 October 2026 |
About the Scholarship
Managed by DGES, this scholarship exists to promote equal access to higher education for students who meet Portugal’s defined financial and residency criteria. It’s open to students enrolled in Higher Professional Technical Courses (CTESP), Bachelor’s degree programmes, Integrated Master’s programmes, and Master’s programmes.
Applications run entirely online through the DGES student portal. First-time applicants create a new account; returning applicants use their existing login credentials. If you applied through Portugal’s higher education admission system, DGES sends a unique link by email to complete your scholarship application. A DGES Simulator is also available, letting you estimate your likely award amount before formally applying.
One thing worth knowing: Portugal’s “+Superior” programme, which previously ran alongside the standard bolsa de estudo, was formally revoked under recent legislation (Decree-Law 148/2026). In its place, a new “bolsa de incentivo” now provides a one-time payment to first-time higher education entrants who are first-tier family allowance beneficiaries, worth twice the current Social Support Index (IAS) value.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be enrolled at a public or private higher education institution in Portugal
- Be pursuing a CTESP, Bachelor’s, Integrated Master’s, or Master’s programme
- Be enrolled in at least 30 ECTS credits
- Not already hold a diploma or degree equal to or higher than the one you’re applying for
- Hold Portuguese nationality, or legal permanent residence status in Portugal
- Have an annual household income below the threshold set for that academic year (confirm the exact current figure directly with DGES, since thresholds are updated annually)
- Have movable assets below the applicable limit
- Be up to date with tax and social security contributions
Special conditions:
- Working students may apply under a higher income threshold
- Students from Syria, Afghanistan, or Ukraine under humanitarian or temporary protection status may apply without the standard minimum income limits, and may be eligible for the maximum grant amount
What the Portugal Government Scholarships Covers
- Full or partial tuition support
- A living expenses grant, calculated based on family income and number of dependents
- A housing supplement for displaced students unable to secure a place in official student residences, capped at a percentage of the Social Support Index depending on the municipality where their institution is located
- Proportional scholarship amounts for students applying mid-year
The exact amount awarded depends on your specific financial background, household composition, and education-related expenses.
Required Documents
- Completed application form, submitted online through the DGES portal
- Academic transcripts from your current or previous institution
- Relevant degree certificates, depending on your study level
- A personal statement or motivation letter explaining your need for the scholarship
- An updated CV covering your academic and professional background
- Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees
- A copy of your valid passport or national ID
- A passport-sized photo
How to Apply
- Gather all required documents in advance
- Log in with your existing DGES credentials if you’ve applied before, or create new credentials if you’re a first-time applicant — if you applied through Portugal’s higher education system this year, check your email for a direct link from DGES
- Access the DGES Student Portal, complete your application, and upload every required document
- Use the DGES Simulator, optionally, to estimate your likely financial support before submitting
- Submit your complete application within the official window — 14 August to 2 October 2026. Late applications are not accepted.
Official Application Portal
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students apply for the Portugal Government Scholarship from abroad?
Not under this specific scheme. You must be either a Portuguese citizen or a foreigner already holding permanent residency in Portugal — this isn’t accessible to applicants abroad without existing Portuguese residency status.
Does this scholarship require an English test like TOEFL or IELTS?
No. This requirement appears in some third-party listings but isn’t part of DGES’s actual documented criteria — this is a Portuguese-administered domestic support scheme, not an English-language international scholarship.
What’s the current application window?
14 August to 2 October 2026, confirmed directly on DGES’s official page.
What happened to the “+Superior” programme mentioned in older scholarship guides?
It was formally revoked under recent Portuguese legislation. A new “bolsa de incentivo” now provides a one-time payment specifically to first-time higher education entrants who are first-tier family allowance beneficiaries.
How is the scholarship amount calculated?
Based on your household income, family composition, and documented education-related expenses — confirm your specific estimated amount using DGES’s own online Simulator before formally applying.
Disclaimer: Scholarship details, including eligibility and application dates, were verified directly against DGES’s official Portuguese-language pages as of August 2026. Specific financial thresholds change annually — always confirm current figures and your own eligibility directly at dges.gov.pt before applying. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with DGES or the Portuguese government.
Join ScholarWaka Community
Get the latest scholarship updates and study abroad opportunities before anyone else.
