Coimbra, Portugal, Aug. 24, 2026 (Lusa) - A survey carried out by Portugal's Coimbra Academic Association (AAC) concludes that a quarter of students have considered dropping out of higher education due to the costs, with two-thirds paying €300 or more for a room.
According to the online survey carried out in August amongst the academic community, with a total of 1,039 validated responses, 24.6% of students have considered suspending their enrolment or dropping out of their studies due to the costs associated with higher education, such as accommodation, food, transport and study materials.
«Accommodation is the main obstacle preventing students from remaining in higher education,» José Machado, president of the AAC – which published the survey findings on Monday – told the Lusa news agency, whilst also setting out recommendations to the Government to address the problem of access to student accommodation.
The survey indicates an average room price of €312, with around two-thirds (65.2%) paying €300 or more for a room in Coimbra.
Around 32% of respondents said they did not have a formal tenancy agreement, and 28.6% spend between 51% and 70% of their monthly budget on accommodation (12.3% spend more than 70%).
More than half (52.7%) of the students who responded to the survey stated that the price and availability of accommodation wholly or partly influenced their choice of city or higher education institution.
In light of these results, the AAC advocates the creation of a standardised tenancy agreement for student accommodation, with a legally capped deposit fee and clear rules; the uninterrupted operation of the Student Accommodation Observatory to provide more up-to-date monitoring of room price trends across the country; and the establishment of a public accommodation brokerage platform, with certification provided by the State.
For José Machado, the number of students who continue to live in rented rooms without any tenancy agreement is «very concerning», given that these students «are exposed to abuse by landlords and forced evictions».
According to Machado, the Government «cannot condone this sort of practice», criticising the fact that the rent payment support programme does not provide for the inclusion of rent invoices.
«The ultimate solution to this housing problem is the creation of more halls of residence and state-funded beds, but in the short term there must be an urgent response,» he argued.
JGA/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
