Investment in student residences exceeded one billion euros in Portugal between 2019 and 2025.
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Author: Redaction
Investment in residences continues to grow
Investment in student residences in Portugal reached around 1.2 billion euros between 2019 and 2025. A large part of this amount resulted from the sale of real estate assets linked to student accommodation, alongside new construction projects.
In recent years, the student residence market has attracted the interest of international investors and operators specialised in academic accommodation. The growth in demand for rooms and beds for students has reinforced the attractiveness of this real estate segment.
Despite strong investment in residences, supply remains limited when compared to the total number of students in the country. Currently, there are around 26,000 beds available, covering only a small part of national demand.
Bed supply remains below demand
Student residences continue to struggle to respond to rising demand, driven by both Portuguese and international students. Pressure on the traditional rental market has also led more students to seek this type of accommodation.
Porto currently concentrates the largest number of private student residence beds, followed by Lisbon. Even so, the coverage rate remains well below that seen in several European countries, where student accommodation supply is more extensive.
In the coming years, new private residences are planned in cities such as Lisbon and Porto, increasing the number of available beds. Even so, the expected growth will have a limited impact on overall student demand coverage.
Residence prices vary between cities
Student residence prices vary significantly between Portuguese cities. In some markets, rental values remain high, especially in premium options and in areas with higher demand.
Lisbon and Porto maintain some of the highest prices in the student accommodation segment, reflecting strong demand and limited supply. Cities such as Braga also show high values in standard residences.
Investment in residences is expected to continue growing in the coming years, in line with the increase in student numbers and demand for more organised accommodation solutions closer to universities.