CATÓLICA-LISBON, located right in the center of Lisbon, where you will experience the dynamism of an entrepreneurial and diverse European capital.
Nova SBE, a bright new campus located right at the ocean side, will add to your experience one of the best highlights of Lisbon – the amazing seaside.
MIT Sloan, located in the heart of Cambridge, by the Charles River nearby the bustling Kendall square.
Holding top positions in the European FT ranking, CATÓLICA-LISBON and Nova SBE are part of an elite group of business schools – less than 1% that hold the triple crown accreditation, EQUIS, AMBA, and AACSB.
The Lisbon MBA Católica|Nova is one of the few MBAs in Europe that offers an immersion experience at MIT Sloan, #6 in the world by the FT Global MBA ranking 2025.
Lisbon is undoubtedly a top “go-to” destination, a beautiful, diverse, and entrepreneurial city, offering an inspiring blend of commerce and culture surrounded by a stunning coastline. The oldest city in Western Europe is ranked as the 6th most popular city for international congresses, hosting the largest technology conference in the world, Web Summit, that welcomes more than 10.000 startups a year. With beaches that extend along 100 km, you will find a range of wild surfing destinations, calm, family-oriented beaches, and charming resort towns. Perfect for a balanced life-study experience, whether alone or with your family. Last, but not least, Portugal was ranked 7th in the Global Peace Index (2024).
Julian Thomas
USA
Management Consultant at The Gunther Group (USA)
“It’s the city of 7 hills, so regardless from where you are, you are probably a 2 min walk from an incredible view point. Another thing I would highlight is the cost of living – when you do the full-time, you have to stop for a year, so being in a place that is so beautiful but with an accessible cost of living was a key factor for my decision.”
Alan Augusto
BRAZIL
Business Development Specialist at EDP (Portugal)
“The Lisbon MBA is a unique opportunity not only to learn and develop valuable business hard and soft skills, but also to experience one of the most vivid, intense and sunny European cities.”
Are you considering studying in Europe? We have prepared this e-book with useful information for prospective students who wish to study in Portugal.
The MIT Immersion offers not only a unique learning experience but also a very different living experience.
The MIT campus is a unique place built for a community of people inventing the future. Everywhere you look, you’ll see bright minds working together to make meaningful ideas matter in the world.
During your time on campus you have everything that you could ask for quite literally on your doorstep, from MIT’s own museum showcasing research and innovation to the visual arts center offering contemporary artistic inspiration in its most unique form.
In addition, The Lisbon MBA students are also able to participate in the wide range of social events taking place on campus. An equally vast array of sporting activities also ensure that you don’t just need to be a Red Sox armchair supporter. Remember, networking does not just happen in the classroom or the boardroom.
Elizer Varias
PHILIPPINES
Chief Financial Officer at Villarreal Drywall (USA)
“Lisbon is truly a cultural melting pot, and the class of 2014 was there to fully soak it in. From Rockin’ Rio, to Meia Maratonas, to the buzzing nightlife, we were an active part of the Lisbon scene.”
Davor Stosic
AUSTRIA
Director, Global Strategic Technology Alliances and Ecosystems at Dynatrace (Austria)
“Living in Lisbon, studying at three top business schools, expanding my network, forming lasting friendships, and adding business acumen to my engineering skills opened new horizons and transformed my career.”
Lisbon remains one of Europe’s most attractive capitals, offering a high quality of life at a cost of living that is competitive with major hubs like London or Paris. However, the budget varies significantly depending on your program’s format.
For International MBA Students (Full-Time Relocation)
As a full-time student, you will be moving to Lisbon for the duration of the program. We recommend budgeting between €1,000 and €2,000 per month to cover all living expenses. It is common for our international students to secure a temporary location (such as an Airbnb or short-term rental) for the first two to three weeks. Once on campus, students often connect and decide to share larger apartments or houses, which typically brings their individual rent down to between €500 and €1,000, depending on the neighborhood. The remainder of your budget will cover groceries, utilities, and transportation. Lisbon is highly walkable and has an affordable public transit system, making it easy to enjoy the city’s vibrant social and culinary scene without a significant financial burden.
For Executive MBA Students (Monthly Immersion)
The Executive MBA is designed for professionals who remain in their current roles. Here, the “cost of living” refers to the logistics of your monthly stay. Since classes are held in concentrated blocks once per month (Thursday through Saturday), most students book Airbnbs or hotels for their three-night stay. For those who choose to relocate to Lisbon while continuing to work remotely, many opt for shared apartments with colleagues, while those moving with families typically seek private residential options. A major benefit of our schedule is that all lunches and coffee breaks are included during your three days on campus. This simplifies your daily logistics and reduces your incidental spending, allowing you to focus entirely on the academic journey and peer networking.
When it comes to average costs of living in Lisbon, the city provides diverse neighborhoods that balance proximity to the Católica-Lisbon and Nova SBE campuses with varying price points.
Premium & Central
Mid-Range & Balanced
Affordable & Vibrant
Finding the right home is a key part of your MBA experience. Lisbon offers a diverse range of housing, from high-end student residences with all-inclusive services to vibrant private neighborhoods that offer deeper immersion in local culture. You can start by checking the recommended residential areas.
If you want to be near Católica-Lisbon, you’ll likely find yourself in the city’s central hub. For a premium, professional atmosphere, neighborhoods like Saldanha, São Sebastião, and Marquês de Pombal are the most sought-after; they sit in the heart of the business district and are within walking distance to class. If you prefer a more multicultural and budget-friendly vibe, Arroios, Alameda, and Alvalade are excellent alternatives. These areas offer great “value-for-money” for shared apartments and keep you perfectly connected via the Green and Red Metro lines.
For those focusing on the Nova SBE campus, the “Linha de Cascais” provides a unique coastal lifestyle. You might opt for the elegant, historic charm of Belém, Lapa, or Estrela, which offer a peaceful riverside environment connected to Carcavelos by a scenic train ride. Alternatively, living directly in Carcavelos, Parede, or Oeiras is a highly practical choice for many; these mid-range areas allow you to walk to campus and the beach, significantly reducing daily commute costs and enabling you to fully embrace the seaside campus culture.
Premium Student Residences
For many students, especially those in the International MBA, student residences offer a “ready-to-move-in” solution that eliminates the stress of setting up utilities or buying furniture. These residences are designed for co-living, often featuring study rooms, gyms, and social spaces.
Lisbon Hub (near the Católica-Lisbon campus):
Carcavelos Hub (Near Nova SBE):
The “Shared Home” Experience: Many students start in these residences and, after the first few weeks of the program, move into shared apartments with their classmates to reduce costs.
Recommended Search Platforms
Real Estate Portals & Agencies: These are best for browsing a wide range of local listings for long-term leases:
Verified Student & Executive Housing: These platforms are ideal for international students as they offer verified listings:
Short-Term & Flexible Stays
Best for Executive MBA students during their monthly 3-day immersion sessions:
Student life at The Lisbon MBA is a high-energy journey where academic intensity meets the relaxed, sun-drenched lifestyle of the Portuguese capital. Because the program is a joint venture between Católica-Lisbon and Nova SBE, you don’t just join a class; you become part of an “MBA Family” with access to two world-class campuses and a global network of over 40,000 alumni.
A Dynamic Professional Ecosystem
Life here is fast-paced, and your schedule will be busy. Beyond the rigorous coursework, the program is designed to keep you at the center of the European business scene. You will regularly connect with the alumni community and engage with other cohorts through exclusive networking events and more.
Lisbon has also become a premier global hub for innovation. As a student, you are at the doorstep of Web Summit, the world’s largest tech conference, alongside a constant stream of entrepreneurial meetups and startup events. These provide a unique platform to rub shoulders with founders and investors from every corner of the globe.
Culture, History, and the Outdoors
When you step away from the books, the city itself becomes your playground. Lisbon is a treasure trove for those who appreciate history and aesthetics; you can spend weekends exploring the iconic Jerónimos Monastery, the contemporary MAAT, or the stunning Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. The city is dotted with historic churches and “miradouros” (viewpoints) that offer the perfect backdrop for post-study reflection.
For those who need to stay active to stay sharp, the lifestyle is unbeatable. You’ll find students organizing morning surf sessions in Carcavelos, playing tennis at local clubs, or hitting the gym in the business district.
The social calendar is anchored by world-class cultural events. From the massive NOS Alive and Rock in Rio Lisbon music festivals to the traditional Santos Populares street parties in June, there is a constant sense of celebration.
A Global Gastronomic Journey
One of the most praised aspects of the Lisbon experience is the food. The city offers a remarkable culinary duality. You can enjoy authentic local gastronomy, from the legendary Pastéis de Belém and fresh grilled sardines to a comforting Bacalhau.
However, Lisbon’s multicultural heart means you are never far from world-class international cuisine. Whether it’s high-end sushi in Chiado, spicy curries in Arroios, or trendy brunch spots in Santos, the food scene is both diverse and remarkably accessible, allowing for frequent networking dinners and social gatherings without the “premium” price tags found in other European capitals.
Yes, the school provides dedicated support for the visa process for both programs. Given that a significant percentage of the cohort is international, the Relocation team is well-versed in navigating the requirements. Here is how the support works for each program:
International MBA (12 Months, Full-Time)
Since this is a full-time relocation, non-EU students will require a Student Visa.
Executive MBA (20 Months, Part-Time)
For the Executive MBA, the visa requirement depends on your residency and travel frequency:
The Role of the NIF (Tax Number) & Logistics
It is important to note that a Portuguese Tax Number (NIF) is essential for almost all administrative life in Portugal. You will need a NIF to open a local bank account, sign a long-term lease, or set up utilities, and internships (International MBA) require this number for official administrative and legal registration.
Spouse & Family Support
While the school provides comprehensive support for the student, please note that Visa and relocation support for spouses or family members are not automatically covered in the standard student service. In these cases, additional fees will apply for specialized legal assistance.
You’ll find that you don’t actually need to speak Portuguese to live comfortably or excel in your studies, as both the International MBA and Executive MBA are conducted entirely in English, reflecting the global nature of our cohorts. In fact, with over 60% of the International MBA students arriving from abroad, English naturally becomes the lingua franca for everything from intense group projects and workshops to casual coffee breaks at the Católica or Nova campuses.
This ease of communication extends far beyond the campus gates. Lisbon has evolved into a major international hub, home to massive global events like Web Summit, meaning that the professional ecosystem of tech, finance, and consulting operates almost exclusively in English. When you attend “CEO Talks” or network with our 40,000-strong alumni community, you’ll find that English is the standard for high-level business interactions. Even in your daily life, whether you’re navigating the Metro, visiting a private hospital, or ordering world cuisine in the trendy spots of Santos and Chiado, you will find that most locals are highly proficient in English, and menus and services are almost always bilingual.
That being said, a little bit of the local tongue can go a long way toward enriching your “authentic” Lisbon experience. While you can easily manage the essentials without it, a simple “Bom dia” or “Obrigado” acts as a warm bridge when you’re visiting traditional neighborhood restaurants for a quick espresso or exploring the local markets downtown.
On March 30, discover the NEW Alumni Portal. Harness your network and engage with your global community. Unite. Connect. Share & Develop.