Portugal is not as expensive as many other Western European countries, especially when buying food & primary goods, rent, and entertainment. The amount of money a student needs depends on their life style, but a budget of € 600 per month (this estimate is accurate for 2013) should cover basic expenses and some leisure activities.
- https://www.estiem.org/default.aspx?PageId=761
- http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Portugal
Money and Banking
Third country citizens should open a bank account because foreign credit cards may not always be accepted in Portugal. To open an account, you will need your passport or international ID card, an address in Portugal and a Portuguese fiscal number which you should be able to find at the Citizen Shop (Loja do Cidadão). Students can usually benefit from special deals between universities and banks which provide free or low service fees accounts.
Travelling costs
Students taking an internship in Portugal are normally expected to cover their own costs of travelling to the country. Students who participate in ERASMUS mobility programmes receive a grant to help them to cover travelling costs (including insurance and visa costs) related to their study period abroad.
There are low cost companies who offer good fares to the Portuguese international airports at Lisbon, Oporto, Faro and Funchal (Madeira). Daily international trains run between Paris-Lisbon, Lisbon-Madrid and between Oporto-Vigo. Buses are cheaper than trains but they are slower and less comfortable. Long-distance bus lines are Eurolines and Busabout.
Usually, students can get special rates for travelling on trains or other public transport.
- General information on Erasmus Programme Grant: http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus/study_en.htm
- Airports: www.ana.pt
- Buses: www.busabout.com
- Trains: www.cp.pt
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