2026 university term in Lisbon and Porto: Homestays as the answer to housing shortages

At the dawn of this new academic year, the search for a roof over one's head is once again becoming a real challenge for thousands of young people. Finding student accommodation in Lisbon or Porto is now a feat, given the soaring demand and shrinking supply. At Roomlala, we are closely monitoring this tense situation and we understand the anxiety of students and their parents. The start of the 2026 academic year in Portugal promises to be particularly complex in terms of property, with rents continuing to rise in major cities. However, solutions do exist. Faced with this cruel shortage of traditional student housing, long-term homestays and shared housing are establishing themselves not just as alternatives, but as the most viable, economical, and human responses to counter this student housing crisis.

An unprecedented student housing crisis for the start of the 2026 academic year

The situation in August 2026 is clear: Portugal is going through a student housing crisis of unprecedented scale. The figures speak for themselves and illustrate the extreme pressure on the property market. The country currently suffers from a structural deficit estimated at 119,000 beds for students. This glaring lack of infrastructure forces almost all young people to turn to an already saturated private rental market. Universities, though aware of the problem, are struggling to build new buildings quickly enough to meet the constant influx of new students.

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Public student residences, historically designed to relieve families on modest incomes, are now largely insufficient. Nationally, barely 7% of Portuguese university students have access to a spot in a public residence. This figure, already alarming, hides even more worrying regional disparities: it falls to just 5% in Lisbon and 10% in Porto. In other words, 95% of students in the capital have to manage on their own to find a place to live, study, and thrive.

This shortage is hitting an increasingly mobile student population hard. Today, there are around 147,000 so-called "displaced" Portuguese students, i.e., those studying outside their home city, in addition to nearly 80,000 international students who have come seeking academic excellence and the Portuguese quality of life. These two groups find themselves in direct competition in a market where supply is not keeping up. In the second quarter of 2026, demand for rooms to rent in Portugal jumped by 27%, while supply paradoxically fell by 11%.

At Roomlala, we receive daily testimonials from distressed students who see the start of the academic year approaching without having a place to stay. This situation generates immense stress that can impact academic success. That is why it is crucial to understand current price dynamics and turn to supportive and sustainable alternatives to ensure a peaceful 2026 academic year in Portugal.

Prices are soaring: Private residences vs. the traditional market

The real cost of student accommodation in Lisbon and Porto

The scarcity of supply has inevitably led to a dizzying rise in prices. In August 2026, the median rent for a standard student room stands at 550 euros per month in Lisbon and 450 euros in Porto. These amounts, although high for a young person's budget, now represent the base rate for hoping to find a place in these attractive cities. It is important to note that these prices mainly concern the homestay or traditional shared housing market, which remain the most affordable options.

At the same time, the market has seen a boom in numerous private student residences (PBSA - Purpose Built Student Accommodation). While these complexes offer high-end amenities (gyms, coworking spaces, 24/7 security), their rates are completely disconnected from the economic reality of the majority of students. In Lisbon, rents in these private residences soar between 740 and 1,500 euros per month! A financial abyss that is inaccessible for most families.

This dichotomy between the traditional market and ultra-modern private residences highlights the crucial importance of the homestay. For a student looking for student accommodation in Lisbon with a realistic budget, PBSAs are simply not an option. It is therefore vital to make the distinction and focus one's search on platforms connecting individuals to find fair rates, located in the 450-550 euro range.

Let's take a concrete example: Tiago, an engineering student originally from Faro, was admitted to the University of Lisbon. Faced with private residences at 900 euros, his parents almost gave up on his enrollment. It was by turning to a homestay at 500 euros, charges included, that they were able to make his study project viable. This case study perfectly illustrates the need for these affordable alternatives.

State aid: Valuable but capped support

Aware of the social urgency, the Portuguese state has implemented support measures for the start of the 2026 academic year. Housing subsidies are specifically intended for scholarship students who, due to a lack of space in public residences, are forced to rent in the private sector. It is an essential breath of fresh air, but one that comes with strict limits that must be well understood to balance one's budget.

These government subsidies are indeed capped to reflect the reality (or at least part of the reality) of market prices. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the aid ceiling is set at 500 euros per month for Lisbon and 419 euros for Porto. These amounts have been calculated to help young people cope with the median rents mentioned above, but they obviously do not cover the extravagance of private residences (PBSA).

The equation is therefore simple: for a scholarship student to be able to find housing without a remaining balance to pay (or with a minimal one), they must imperatively target a homestay or shared housing whose rent corresponds to these caps. Renting a room at 550 euros in Lisbon with aid of 500 euros leaves a remaining balance of 50 euros, which is manageable. On the other hand, aiming for a private residence at 800 euros makes the aid insufficient.

At Roomlala, we strongly encourage eligible students to prepare their application for aid as early as possible. Administrative procedures can take time, and having a rental promise or a properly formatted homestay contract is essential to release these funds. Our hosts are accustomed to providing the necessary documents to facilitate these procedures.

Shared housing and homestays: Sustainable alternatives

Why choose a homestay?

Faced with the student housing crisis, the homestay is no longer a plan B; it is a real solution for the future. The principle is simple: a host with a spare room in their main residence rents it to a student. Financially, it is the assurance of finding rents that respect the market median (450-550 euros), often with all charges included (water, electricity, internet), which avoids unpleasant surprises at the end of the month.

But beyond the economic aspect, it is the human experience that prevails. For a student leaving the family nest, sometimes for the first time, or for an international student arriving in an unknown country, living in a homestay offers a reassuring setting. Hosts are often a good source of advice for discovering the neighborhood, explaining how public transport works, or helping with cultural and linguistic integration.

At Roomlala, we make it a point of honor to secure these connections. We verify profiles, secure online payments, and offer a trusted framework. Hosts, for their part, find in this process a way to monetize an unoccupied space and cope with inflation, while doing a huge service to the younger generation.

Let's take the case of Maria, a French student on Erasmus at the University of Porto. Finding no student room in Porto in traditional residences, she rented a homestay with Dona Rosa through our platform. Not only does she pay 420 euros per month (perfectly within her budget), but she has also made huge progress in Portuguese thanks to dinners shared with her host, turning a logistical constraint into an unforgettable experience.

The rise of shared housing in Portugal

Alongside the homestay, shared housing in Portugal is enjoying tremendous success. Renting a large apartment with others allows for sharing the cost of rent, but also all the related expenses: internet subscriptions, home insurance, and even groceries if the flatmates organize themselves well. It is an extremely resilient economic model in the face of soaring property prices.

Shared housing also meets a fundamental need for socialization. University studies can be stressful, and coming home to an empty apartment at night can weigh on one's mood. In shared housing, you create a substitute family. You share moments of conviviality, help each other with revisions, and forge bonds that often last well beyond the years of study.

However, finding the right shared housing requires method. It is not just about finding a room, but about finding people with whom you share the same rhythm of life and the same values (cleanliness, noise, organization of chores). Many apartments in Lisbon (in neighborhoods like Alameda or Arroios) or in Porto (towards Paranhos, near the university center) are, in fact, historically dedicated to this way of life.

We always advise our users to talk thoroughly with the existing flatmates before committing. A video call or a meeting over coffee allows you to ensure that the fit is good. On Roomlala, shared housing listings often detail the atmosphere of the apartment, which greatly helps in making the right choice and ensuring a harmonious academic year.

Our advice for finding your room before the start of the academic year

The key to success in finding accommodation in a context of shortage is anticipation. Even if demand has increased by 27% and supply has fallen by 11%, there is always movement in the market. New listings are published every day on Roomlala. If you are doing it at the last minute, don't panic: stay connected, activate alerts, and be extremely responsive when a room matching your criteria is posted online.

Preparing your rental application is a step you should not neglect. Hosts receive many inquiries and prioritize organized candidates. Make sure you have a digital version of all your documents ready to be sent: ID card, proof of university enrollment, proof of income from your guarantors, and possibly a scholarship certificate if you are counting on state aid. A well-completed Roomlala profile, with a smiling photo and a short description of yourself, often makes the difference.

Show geographical flexibility. Everyone dreams of living in the historic center of Lisbon or by the Douro in Porto, but that is where prices are the most inaccessible. Expand your search area to neighboring municipalities well served by public transport. In Lisbon, towns like Almada (across the Tagus) or Odivelas offer much more affordable homestays, just 20 or 30 minutes by metro or boat from the university.

Finally, the security of your process must be your absolute priority. Unfortunately, the housing crisis also attracts scammers on social networks or unmoderated classifieds sites. Never send money via direct bank transfer before having visited or signed a contract. By using a secure platform like Roomlala, your payments are protected and are only released to the host after your successful arrival at the property. Here is a small checklist for an effective search:

• Define a strict budget by including charges and taking into account state aid (capped at 500€ in Lisbon, 419€ in Porto).
• Prepare a complete, clear, and translated file if necessary (for international students).
• Expand your search radius by carefully studying metro, bus, or suburban train lines.
• Prioritize human contact by writing personalized messages to hosts to explain your study project.
• Secure your transactions by using exclusively the Roomlala payment system.

In conclusion, although the start of the 2026 academic year in Lisbon and Porto presents major challenges in terms of housing, the homestay and shared housing stand as effective shields against student precariousness. At Roomlala, we are proud to facilitate these intergenerational and intercultural encounters that allow young people to focus on what is essential: the success of their studies.