Shared apartments, spare rooms and roommates in Lisbon

When looking for roommates in Lisbon, try to find people with similar habits or lifestyles to avoid common living-together issues, like frequent guests, smoking inside, or too many parties. In Lisbon, you’ll find roommates from all over the world, giving you the chance to learn about different traditions and cultures.

Advantages and disadvantages of sharing a flat in Lisbon

Living in a shared apartment in Lisbon is a very common experience among students, but it also has its pros and cons.

Advantages of sharing a flat in Lisbon

• Life in Lisbon is cheaper compared to other European capitals. By sharing a flat, you can save money and use it to enjoy the city’s cultural offerings and travel around Portugal and Europe.
• Portuguese people are known for being friendly and open. Living with local roommates can help you dive into the culture, learn about their lifestyle, and you might even pick up some new recipes!
• Many shared apartments in Lisbon are in vibrant student neighbourhoods like Alameda, São Sebastião, or Bairro Alto.

Disadvantages of sharing a flat in Lisbon

• Most apartments don’t have heating installed since winters are mild. You might need to use radiators if necessary.
• Many apartments are old and may not be in the best condition since the owners don’t live there.
• Lisbon is bustling with tourists and locals. If you need personal space to escape from social environments, consider a flat with individual rooms.

Erasmus Apps for your exchange programme in Lisbon

You can use different apps created for Erasmus+ students to navigate different aspects of your exchange. For example, the app created by the European Commission provides essential information on the procedures for applying for mobility, reaching cities, and validating subjects, shares different experiences and student recommendations, and offers access to other services and discounts.

Check out our Erasmus Play app, with which you’ll be able to be a part of a community of international students that are going to live in this Portuguese city for a while.

How to meet people in Lisbon?

Enjoying the company of your flatmates is a great way to start. Share different activities with them both inside and outside the apartment. Here are some other ways to meet people in Lisbon:

Student associations in Lisbon

Each university faculty usually has a student association to help with doubts or problems. Also, you can join ESN Lisboa and Erasmus Life Lisboa, which organise different activities and affordable trips for students.

Facebook groups for Erasmus students in Lisbon

Facebook groups of student associations post information about the activities they organise, such as sporting events (volleyball, basketball, soccer, surfing), international meals, parties, and more. You can also join groups specific to your academic year to connect with fellow students arriving in Lisbon at the same time.

WhatsApp groups for Erasmus students in Lisbon

In Lisbon, student associations also have WhatsApp groups to keep students updated on all activities. These groups are great for introducing yourself and finding students with similar interests.

Tips for living in a shared apartment in Lisbon

Here are some tips for living in the Portuguese capital:

• Check out the location of your apartment on Google Maps to see if it’s on one of Lisbon's typical slopes to avoid any surprises upon your arrival.
• If you’re here in winter and it gets cold, try to reach an agreement with your roommates about heating usage to avoid high bills.
• Living in the centre of Lisbon means being surrounded by students, locals, and tourists. If you prefer a quieter place, consider the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Frequently Asked Queries about sharing a flat in Lisbon