Preparing to access higher education in Portugal? Then you’re already familiar with the national exams. Here, your secondary school final exams count towards your university admissions, so ensuring you’re prepared is crucial to accessing higher education.

Exam requirements and entry thresholds vary by institution and course, and change annually, so staying up to date is crucial as you’re preparing. This blog will break down what you need to know ahead of the exams, including this year’s key dates.

Disclaimer: We recommend verifying the latest details with the official DGES (Directorate-General of Higher Education) website, your chosen university's admissions office, or the Portuguese embassy in their home country. We are not providing official admissions advice – you can find resources with official guidance at the foot of the page.

Students who are legally residing in Portugal, or hold a resident permit and have done so for more than two years, qualify to take the exams. EU students compete in the national process on equal footing with domestic students.

International students, namely students who did not complete secondary school in Portugal, can apply via equivalency recognition (equivalência) through the DGES. Documents must be legalised with a Hague Apostille or validated by the Portuguese embassy.

Courses taught in Portuguese will require a Portuguese proficiency test for non-native speakers. Portuguese as a Second Language is one of the main exams you can take as part of the national exams.

For programmes taught in English, your university will also require proof of your proficiency. If it’s your mother tongue or you’re bilingual, you may simply be able to declare it. If English is not your first language, satisfactory IELTS, TOEFL, CFE or CAE test scores will be accepted instead.

The main national exam for residents and students in the EU is the National Competition for Access and Admission to Higher Education, also called the National Call.

As of 2026, students must take three national exams to complete their secondary education: a compulsory Portuguese exam, and two specific subject exams tailored to the student’s academic path. These are exclusively done in person and using physical paper format.

Each university and course independently defines which national exam subjects are required; common subjects include Mathematics, Portuguese, Biology & Geology, Physics & Chemistry, and Economics. Read on to learn more about what the top universities in Portugal require.

National exams are typically held in June/July. According to the IAVE exam calendar, here are the official dates* to remember for 2026:

Phase 1: 16-26th June 2026

Posting of grades: 14th July 2026

Posting of the results of the reassessment processes: 6th August 2026

Phase 2: 16-22nd July 2026

Posting of grades: 5th August 2026

Posting of the results of the reassessment processes: 28th August 2026

*These dates may be subject to change.

The admission grade (nota de candidatura) is calculated using a weighted combination of your secondary school average and entrance exam results. Secondary school grades weigh at least 40% and exam results at least 45%, though the exact split varies by course (50/50 is a common example). The minimum exam score is typically 100 out of 200 points, although it may be weighted based on the average score of exam takers, and some competitive courses will require at least 120/200. Online simulators are available to help with this calculation, including the official government calculator on gov.pt - Simular a candidatura ao ensino superior.

Where you want to study in Portugal will affect the results you need, as each institution sets its own minimum entry requirements on top of CNAES thresholds. Learn more about the results you’ll need to get accepted to university in Lisbon and Porto.

Universidade de Lisboa: There is a dedicated Access to Higher Education Department dedicated that provides assistance to candidates applying for the National Competition for Access and Admission to Higher Education. Application support is open from the 20th of July to the 24th September 2026. If you do not fit the criteria for the national call, there are special admissions pathways to explore.

NOVA: Students applying for NOVA via the national exams will need to present a minimum grade of 9,5 in the relevant exams to their course of choice – visit the website for detailed information on the results you’ll need depending on your vocation. As of 2022 and onwards, your exams are valid for four years.

Técnico Lisboa: If applying through national admission, minimum grades of 100 points are necessary for most subjects. You will, however, be required to earn at least 120 points if your course of choice is Applied Mathematics and Computation. There is more information available on Técnico Lisboa’s official website.

Universidade do Porto: A percentage of vacancies are reserved for students applying from the Azores, Madeira, or Portuguese immigrants. Some courses and faculties require that specific conditions are met. These conditions are related to your performance in the respective fields; examples include interpersonal communication, eyesight tests, or functional, physical and sport aptitude. Learn more on UPorto’s official website.

Universidade Católica Porto: If applying through the national call, the Universidade Católica Porto requires a minimum score of 95 points in exams and 100 in admission (for the first cycle). The subjects and results you’ll need for your chosen school or course are all laid out in detail on the website’s entrance exams page. 

Universidade de Aveiro: Applications through the National Access competition are made through an online platform, made available by the Directorate-General for Higher Education. You can choose up to six different combinations of institutions and courses, which you indicate in order of preference. Learn more on the Universidade de Aveiro’s official website.

We understand that preparing for the national exams in Portugal can be overwhelming. Psychologist Dr Tara Quinn-Cirillo has created a resource of Study Tips for students that may help, including but not limited to:

You can also explore our guide to Exam Success in Portugal for more advice.

According to the latest guidance on access to higher education, 2026/2027 will bring an increase in the number of places offered by public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), specifically an increase of 1,465 places compared to 2025/2026.

This means life as a student in Portugal is going to be better than ever! While you’re preparing for national admissions, imagine the student community you’ll be joining and all the wonderful things you’ll do in your new city.

Sunny Lisbon has tons of great things to do; whether you’re interested in gorgeous historical monuments or delving into the city’s thriving creative culture, you’re bound to find your place. Likewise, you will never run out of places to explore in Porto – the city is flanked by phenomenal green spaces and filled with unique neighbourhoods. 

And if you just can’t wait, why not make the most of your study breaks and start exploring now? There’s no better motivation to earn the grades you need!

As you prepare for your national entrance exams, remember that this is just the beginning of a huge adventure. If you’re moving to Lisbon or Porto, and you’re still looking for the perfect home away from home, we’d love to welcome you to one of our residences.

With study spaces, social areas, year-round events and a community of like-minded students and young professionals, let your new chapter be the best one yet with Nido Living. Take a look at our Portugal residences and get in touch with any questions you have today.

Here’s a hub of resources that might be useful for you as you prepare for national admission.