Student halls of residence in Lisbon

Are you looking for a student residence in Lisbon? In this article we tell you everything about them: their advantages and disadvantages, information on private and university residences, how to find cheap student dorms and we answer frequently asked questions. Let's go!

Pros and cons of living in a residence in Lisbon

Below you’ll find some of the most outstanding characteristics of this type of accommodation in the Portuguese capital:

Pros of living in student dorms in Lisbon

One of the reasons why many students choose to live in a residence is because it allows you to live with young people from different parts of the world, which creates a multicultural and enriching environment.
The cleaning of common areas, and in some cases cleaning of the rooms, is included in the cost. This makes coexistence much simpler, since maintaining cleanliness is always a reason for confrontation between roommates.
If you’re afraid of feeling alone as soon as you arrive in the city, living in a residence is a great idea, because you can meet all the residents even on your first day there.
They have a lot of facilities and amenities that make everyday life much more enjoyable. Among them, you can find games rooms (with ping pong, table football, etc.), study rooms and libraries, gym, swimming pool (heated or outdoor), garden, and/or furnished terrace to enjoy the views.
Most of the residences are well-equipped to spend the summer and the hottest months. That’s to say, they usually have air conditioning to better withstand temperatures, which can reach up to 35ºC with humidity!

Cons of living in student dorms in Lisbon

Some residences host numerous students, which can make the common areas very busy. This can affect, for example, having to wait to cook because the kitchen is being used.
Living with many students can also impact your studies. It can be difficult to stay studying while you know that a few metres away from you, your friends are enjoying a fun activity.
In the case of choosing a shared room, there’s no way to know who you're going to share it with until you get there.
It’s normal that in this type of accommodation there are more rules of coexistence, especially with regard to schedules of use of shared areas and noise, as well as in the possibility of having guests. In fact, in many cases you can’t have guests after a certain time at night.
In some cases, kitchenware, bed linen, towels, and pillows are not included in the room.

Private student residences in Lisbon

Thanks to the large number of students that the Portuguese capital welcomes, there are numerous private student residences from which you can select. Many of them are located in the centre of Lisbon, with good access to some campuses and leisure sites frequented by young people. Others are found in areas around Lisbon, such as Ajuda or Benfica, in proximity to the campuses of the Universities that are located there.

When it comes to the type of accommodation offered by these private residences, there’s a wide variety. You can choose between shared rooms and single rooms (which may have a private bathroom or one shared with other residents), as well as between studio flats with a bathroom and a small kitchen included.

One of the main differences between residences and private apartments is the availability of services and common spaces that they present. Among the services that you’ll find the most are: 24-hour security, bike parking, the possibility of getting meals, and cleaning. For their part, the most common facilities they have include some of the following: game rooms (with ping pong, football, etc.), study rooms, co-working and libraries, gym, swimming pool (heated or outdoor), garden, and/or furnished terrace to enjoy the views.

We recommend that you pay close attention to what’s included in the price and the room or flat you choose, since in some cases they may not include details such as kitchenware, bedding, and pillows, or towels. If they aren’t included, you can choose to bring all of this from home or purchase it once you have arrived in Lisbon. With regards to the room decoration, you can also take it from home or do like many students and go to some of the most beautiful markets and flea markets in the city to get something that you like and that’s unique. We recommend some like Feira da Ladra, LX Factory, Feira Avenida da Liberdade and Feira da Alegria.

University student halls of residence in Lisbon

In this section we refer to the different residences that belong to the Universities of the Portuguese capital. That is, in order to be welcome in these, you have to be a student, professor or researcher at the institution to which it corresponds. Please note that because some can also accommodate non-students, the atmosphere may be a little different from the residences where only young people who are studying live.

The type of accommodation offered in these residences ranges from single rooms to studio apartments, and small one-bedroom flats.

Furthermore, something to keep in mind is that the majority of university residences are mixed. That is, they make no difference between male and female sex.

Among the services which they include are: 24-hour security (with staff and video surveillance), weekly change of sheets, weekly room cleaning, laundry, and internet.

Normally, university residences have shared kitchens for students to cook and do not offer meal service included. This is because they usually have their own canteens, so young people have the option of eating there if they don't want to cook.

University Residences of the University of Lisbon

This institution has many University Residences available. They are located in different areas of Lisbon, in proximity to the different campuses it has. For this reason, it’s advisable that you identify which of them you’re going to go to find the best accommodation nearby.

If you want to know about the accommodation near the University of Lisbon, read this article.

University Residence Halls of NOVA Lisbon

This University also has several residences available near its campuses that are located in the Portuguese capital.

If you want to know about the accommodation near NOVA University of Lisbon, read this article.

University Residences of the Technical University of Lisbon

Like the two previous institutions, the Technical University of Lisbon has countless residences for its students. These are also located in proximity to their campuses, which can be located quite far from the centre of Lisbon. Because of this, you have to see if it’s the preferred accommodation for you to live.

If you want to know about the accommodation near the Technical University of Lisbon, read this article.

Rent cheap student residences in Lisbon

In the Erasmus Play search engine you’ll be able to see the different options of private residences that are verified and available for your stay in Lisbon. Use the filters to find the one that has all your favourite features! Once you identify it and carry out the booking (completely online and securely through Erasmus Play), you’ll have the accommodation issue solved. This way, you can plan other aspects of your studies in the Portuguese capital, such as finding the best place to try the famous Pastéis de Belem.

Frequently Asked Questions about student dorms in Lisbon

How much does a student residence cost in Lisbon?
The minimum cost of a single room in a university residence is €400 per month. For its part, the average is around €600-650 per month, depending on what’s included in the price.
Are there scholarships for student residences in Lisbon?
Some institutions, such as the University of Lisbon, offer scholarships for accommodation to students who meet certain conditions. Find out carefully what they are to see if you can apply for them. Also, remember that the Erasmus scholarship is awarded to cover part of the exchange, such as the monthly rental of accommodation.
What’s cheaper, an apartment or a student residence in Lisbon?
The minimum price for a student residence is around €400, while that of a room in a private shared flat is around €250 per month. Normally, this difference is due to the fact that residences offer many more amenities and services than private apartments.
When to book a student residence in Lisbon?
We encourage you to do so as soon as you can! Lisbon is one of the most chosen university destinations in Portugal and Europe thanks to its unique culture, its nature and its gastronomy. For this reason, it’s advisable that you make your reservation as soon as possible to ensure that you find your ideal accommodation.
Are there female or male university residences in Lisbon?
In the Portuguese capital, the most common thing is for residences to be mixed, so there are not many options for female or male residences. One thing worth highlighting is that in the case of shared rooms, people of the same sex are usually assigned.