Government proposes linking public university undergraduate fees to inflation from 2027/2028. Now capped at €697 a year
In the draft 2027 budget (OE2027), the government proposes unfreezing tuition fees (propina) for undergraduate degrees at public universities from the 2027/2028 academic year and raising them in line with inflation every year. Since 2020/2021 they have been capped at €697 a year. The cap applies to Portuguese students and others admitted under the general rules. For students with international student status (estudante internacional), fees are set by each university.
Education Minister Fernando Alexandre defended the proposal in parliament on 4 November (Notícias ao Minuto). The government tried to do this a year ago, but the opposition kept the cap in place.
Universities will have to spend 15% of their tuition fee income on social support for students: grants, halls of residence and canteens. In total, the budget sets aside about €125 million for student social support and housing.
From 2027/2028, grants will be calculated in a new way, based on how much it costs to study in the municipality where the student is enrolled (fees, food, travel and housing) and how much the family can contribute. The rules for students studying far from home and the rules on housing support have already changed. There is also a new grant supplement of €1,074.26 for students whose families receive first-tier child benefit (abono de família), that is, those on the lowest incomes.
The opposition and students are criticising the proposal, and parliament has not yet approved the budget.
