
HOUSING GUIDELINES
Being a student is a challenge in itself and it becomes even harder when we are away from our home country. In fact, the things that make us feel at home can be found in the small details, but in the absence of a homemade meal or the warmth of our homeland, let's focus on the home in the literal sense.
With these Guidelines, we hope your journey on finding accommodation gets easier and smoother.
If you just began your adventure on mobility, or if you already are a veteran of being abroad, ESN Porto is here to help you out!
Where To Find A Place?
You can conduct your research for accommodation through various information and communication channels. Here are some:
- Facebook (Private Groups);
- Websites:
- Spotahome (partnered with ESN Porto, so the ESNcard provides a discount!)
- In Life Housing
- Imovirtual
- Idealista
- OLX
- Bquartos
- Bquartos
What to avoid? Tips!
Unfortunately, not all landlords or landladies in Portugal are honest. Some of the listings can be fake or include hidden charges that, if you are not sure, you should always ask about. We will develop this topic later on.
Some houses in Porto can be really old and, as such, suffer from a lot of humidity or other problems. Plus, some houses are not properly equipped with good heating systems so it can be hard to spend the winter period. A thorough visit of the house, along with the inspection of the appliances is a necessary step. Don't be afraid to be nosy!
As you most certainly are away from your Erasmus destination to be ask someone to do ir for you: Get a buddy in advance!
Although it may seem generic, and sometimes unattainable, find a place where you are willing to spend 5 to 6 months, or an entire year. For example, there are numerous “student houses”, which are just 8 to 10 room houses catering to Erasmus students, but we do realize that is not an option for everybody. House hunting in Porto can seem to be a challenging task, even with the numerous student residencies, so you always need to be on the lookout during the months preceding your mobility.
Communication Channels and Groups
While communication channels are vital for a successful search, caution and thorough verification are equally important.
Here are our favorite communication channels to help you find a home for the best months of your life:
You can subscribe to a real estate agency mailing list by filling out a form on their website, specifying your preferences such as location, budget, and property type. The agency then filters their listings based on your criteria and sends personalized options directly to your email.
Facebook serves as an excellent bridge connecting landlords, ex-tenants, and international students, facilitating transparent communication and reliable references. It provides a platform for sharing experiences, verifying property authenticity, and building trust within the rental community.
In a group chat with other international students, you can exchange potential housing options and seek recommendations from others who have explored multiple places. This collaborative approach enhances your chances of finding reliable and suitable accommodations through shared experiences and insights. Here you can find the links for our group chats!
ESN Porto Partners:
ESN Porto provides you a large range of partners in the housing sector from student residences, to hostels and even camping.
Here you can find updated information about each one of them. By acquiring your ESNcard you can book your accommodation with a great discount and you will also be able to have other offers that vary from partner to partner.
What options do I have: From apartments to residencies
As previously mentioned, there are many options from each you can choose when it comes to find accommodation for your mobility experience.
- Apartment: always sign a contract with your landlord with : the time frame of the leasing agreement, the fixed price for rent, the terms in case of breach of the contract, and other legal aspects that may be considered case by case. You shouldn't pay anything before you arrive in Portugal and get to see the place.
- Student's Residence: sign a contract with the Residence with the establishment of the: conditions, rules and regulations. Instead of paying a fixed rent to a landlord you will pay a fixed amount to an entity which includes, usually, the usufruct of more services, facilities and common spaces (depending on each Residence).
The Most Common Frauds
In this section, we will enumerate some forms of fraud so you can always have a critical and attentive eye while researching housing options:
Posting rental ads on free classified portals or social networks, using attractive photos and descriptions, with very competitive prices. They ask for a deposit to reserve the property and disappear with the money before the visit.
This is a more sophisticated fraud, where scammers pose as property owners and conduct visits with interested tenants. There are many ways to get a copy of the key, making it harder for potential tenants to realize they're being scammed.
With these scenarios, we don't intend to be catastrophic but merely to warn about the frauds associated with the housing business and raise awareness, encouraging a more informed, clear, and safe decision!
Porto Areas: the city meets it all!
Porto is a city with different zones and therefore different prices to offer. The city has seven neighborhoods that can help you understand how to conceptualize the city:
- Downtown
- Paranhos
- Bonfim
- Campanhã
- Lordelo do Ouro
- Foz
- Ramalde
In these different areas you'll find different transport and service offers, which will end up changing the price of what you're looking for.
Another point to bear in mind is that prices tend to increase in more central areas such as downtown and some areas of Ramalde (Boavista), while if you go to more peripheral areas such as Paranhos, prices will tend to be lower. That's what we're going to show you in this chapter, what to consider in your search that makes accommodation prices vary.
Transportation Line

Did you know that:
- You can get a metro pass for free if youre under 23 (link)
- It is possible to buy your tickets online, although you will still need a physical card to load them. For these purposes, you can use the app Anda.
- Unfortunately, Google Maps or even some of the web pages can be a bit dodgy when it comes to schedules, so we recommend you use the app Moovit to see when the buses might arrive. In addition, most bus stops are equipped with a schedule that has a QR code showing you the approximate time of arrival of the next bus, which is usually accurate.
To Conclude, be aware of: Final Key-Points
During your search for accommodation during your study period, there are various communication channels where offers are promoted: WhatsApp Groups, Telegram Groups, Facebook Pages, Real Estate Company Websites. The current issue is determining whether the offer you receive is fraudulent or not.
Indeed, some landlords require payment before you have even arrived in Portugal. To avoid falling victim to fraud, we recommend the following:
- Ask a family member/friend to visit the house before committing or making any bank transfer.
- Verify the source of information for its credibility through a deeper research.
- Prefer to search on communication channels or websites recognized for having high admission and demand standards.
- Talk to students that are already in Porto to ask for advice.
- Do not make any payments without confirming the identity and legitimacy of the landlords. This can be confirmed through the permanent certificate available on the “Registo Predial Online” platform, costing 15 euros. The permanent property certificate is a document with all records about a property, including information on all charges and encumbrances, and is valid for six months.
- Use traceable payment methods, such as bank transfers, and if paying in cash, always ask for receipts.
- Always prefer to sign a rental contract!