530 Student halls of residence in Porto

In this article, we advise you on the most important things you should keep in mind when looking for student residences in Porto. You’ll find details on the advantages and disadvantages of private and university residences, how to find cheap residences in Porto and answers to the most frequently asked questions. Let's go!

Keep in mind that this Portuguese city welcomes many students every year, all attracted by its pretty architecture, friendly and fun riverside atmosphere, delicious cuisine, and affordability! For this reason, we recommend that you start looking for your accommodation as soon as possible and make the reservation quickly once you find the ideal one for you.

Pros and cons of living in a residence in Porto

Here are some of the most notable pros and cons:

Pros of living in student dorms in Porto

They usually have more amenities than shared apartments. Among them you can enjoy: games rooms, rooms for parties or studying, gym, terrace, garden, swimming pool, and courts for various sports.
Most of the residences have air conditioning. This isn’t a minor fact! In Porto the temperatures are usually quite high, reaching 30ºC in summer, and it’s a place with a lot of humidity.
It’s a very good way to meet people as soon as you arrive in the city, so you avoid feeling alone and lost. It also allows you to live in a multicultural and enriching space, being able to meet people from different parts of the world and different cultures.
They offer services such as security, cleaning of common areas, and maintenance, something that normally doesn’t happen in private apartments.
Regarding the papers to present to apply for the place, it's usually much easier. It’s normal that they only ask for proof of enrollment in a University, but not documents such as payroll.
Some of them offer scholarships for their residents.

Cons of living in student dorms in Porto

They often have stricter rules regarding coexistence. For example, it may be prohibited for a family member or friend to stay overnight.
Some residences (especially university dorms) are old and haven’t been remodelled, which can make the space not very welcoming. Additionally, they may have restrictive rules for hanging photos or paintings on the walls, in case you’d like to make it more your own.
In many cases, payment is requested for a registration fee or administrative fee when booking, which can be around €200. This in addition to the security deposit.
Living with a lot of people can make it difficult to concentrate on studies when necessary. Be careful if you tend to get FOMO!
If there are many students in the same residence, with access to the same common spaces, it may be that they are always busy, making it difficult to use them as you want.
The storage and refrigerator space in kitchens can be too small for everyone.
It can be quite complicated to find a place in the university residences, since they give priority to students who have scholarships.

Private student residences in Porto

Private residences are located in different parts of the Portuguese city, according to the location of the campuses of the Universities. For example, there are some in the area of Paranhos, north of Porto, while others are in the centre, in Bonfim and in Arrábida.

Three types of accommodation are common in these residences: single rooms, shared rooms, and studio apartments for one or two people (with two separate beds). Studios tend to have the highest price as they have their own kitchen and bathroom, while rooms share the kitchen with other residents and may or may not have a private bathroom. In addition, shared rooms are cheaper than individual ones.

Please note that some private residences accept both students and digital nomads. This allows you to meet people from different parts of the world and who are in different life situations.

Private student residences have numerous facilities that differentiate them from each other. Among the amenities they can offer are: living room with TV, games room (with billiards, table football, ping pong, among others), sunbathing terrace, garden, gym, swimming pool, music room with piano, and sports courts. Some even organise events and fun activities!

Another fact to highlight about private residences is that they offer several services to their residents. For example, they always have 24-hour security (in person or by video surveillance), maintenance service and cleaning of common areas. Additionally, in some cases, you can hire some extra services, such as room cleaning or laundry.

University student halls of residence in Porto

Countless Universities in the Portuguese city offer their students the possibility of staying in university residences, that is, offered by them. However, look carefully at the booking conditions, since some of them have priority given to Portuguese students or those with scholarships granted by the institution.

When it comes to the type of accommodation you can find there, there’s a great variety. You can choose between single rooms, rooms shared between two people, and studio apartments. Rooms can have a private bathroom or it can be shared with other rooms, and kitchens are shared between rooms that are on the same level of the building.

The cost depends both on the accommodation you pick and if you have a scholarship, if you are an exchange student or if you stay there for the entire course.

Another thing to keep in mind is that there are female university residences, that is, they only accept women. Furthermore, they’re all smoke free, meaning you can't smoke in them.

Among the amenities you can find in them are: garden, living rooms with television, and washing machine area. Likewise, the most offered services are cleaning of common areas and internet connection. You can also hire some extra services if you want, such as room cleaning, for example.

University Residences of the University of Porto

This institution has several residences located on its different campuses. It welcomes both Portuguese and international students, but you must know that students who receive scholarships have priority. Additionally, not all of them accept international students. For this reason, it can be somewhat difficult to get a place in them.

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

Rent cheap student residences in Porto

In the Erasmus Play search engine you can see all the private and verified residences that are available for the period of your stay in the Portuguese city. Filter by your preferred features, such as price, to find the ideal accommodation for you. Plus, you can make your reservation safely and completely online!

Frequently Asked Questions about student dorms in Porto

What are the requirements to apply for a place in a student residence in Porto?
Normally, the requirements are: being enrolled in a University (in the same institution in the case of university residences), filling out a form where you choose your preferred accommodation, and having a valid identity document or passport. Keep in mind that, in the case of university halls, students with scholarships or low income usually have priority. For this reason, the number of places available is usually not very high for the rest of the students.
How much does a student residence in Porto cost?
University residences in this Portuguese city usually range from €160 onwards, while the average cost of private residences is around €500-550 per month. Remember that it’s usually quite difficult to get a place in the first ones!
Are there scholarships for student residences in Porto?
Several residences offer scholarships to their students, so you have to check if you can apply for one of them. Furthermore, if you’re enrolling in the Erasmus program, you can use the scholarship they give you to pay for your stay in Porto.
What’s cheaper, an apartment or a student residence in Porto?
Normally, university residences are the cheapest, ahead of shared rooms in private apartments and private residences. For your reference, the cost of a shared room in a private apartment usually ranges from €200 per month onwards.
Are there female and male university residences in Porto?
Within the university residences, you should know that some only accept women, but male residences aren’t very common. If you want to live in a female residence, make your reservation as soon as possible! It’s usually quite difficult to find a place, since they’re not very spacious.