The following higher education activities are subject to registration: those carried out in Portugal by foreign entities not integrated into the Portuguese higher education system, regardless of whether they are taught:

• In-person classes;
• In a hybrid system;
• In a distance learning format.

The registration covers the entity and the activity it carries out in Portugal, constituting a transparency and supervision mechanism designed to ensure public knowledge of the activity performed in the national territory.

Entities covered by the scope of Decree-Law No. 83/2026 of April 7, which carry out higher education activities in the national territory without intending to integrate into the Portuguese higher education system, must apply for registration.

Entities established in the European Union or the European Economic Area

Entities legally established in another Member State of the European Union or in a State Party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area must apply for registration if they cumulatively meet the following requirements:

• They provide higher education services within the national territory;
• Issue diplomas that are recognized or valid in the State where they are legally established;
• They do not intend to integrate into the Portuguese higher education system.

Entities established in third countries

Entities legally established in a State or territory that is neither a member of the European Union nor a State Party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area must also apply for registration, provided that:

• They meet the requirements indicated above; and
• They must be accredited by an accreditation agency that is a member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) .

Entities excluded from the scope of application

This regime does not apply to entities that are part of the Portuguese higher education system and are subject to the Legal Regime of Higher Education Institutions, approved by Law No. 62/2007, of September 10, as amended, as well as to the remaining legislation and regulations applicable to Portuguese higher education.

Entities covered by the scope of Decree-Law No. 83/2026, of April 7, are required to register with the IES, IP, in accordance with the legally established terms.

Engaging in the activities covered without observing this obligation may result in the application of the sanctioning regime provided for in the legislation.

The registration foreseen in Decree-Law no. 83/2026, of April 7, is purely declarative in nature, intended to ensure the transparency and supervision of the activities covered by the legislation.

The record:

• This does not constitute accreditation or certification of the entity's quality;
• This does not correspond to institutional recognition;
• The institution is not part of the Portuguese higher education system;
• It has no effect on the recognition of degrees or diplomas;
• It does not replace other legally required procedures or requirements.

The registration request must be submitted exclusively through the electronic platform provided by IES, IP, in accordance with paragraph 8 of article 3 of Decree-Law no. 83/2026, of April 7. To submit the registration request, you must access the electronic platform provided by IES, IP, through the following link: Registration Request Submission Platform .

1. Access the electronic platform

Access the electronic registration application submission platform.

1. Fill out the form

Enter the entity's identification details and information regarding the higher education activity carried out or to be carried out in the national territory.

1. Attach the required documentation.

Please gather the required supporting documents to process your application.

1. Submit the request

After validating the entered information, proceed with the electronic submission of the request. You will receive a notification after submission.

1. Awaiting review.

IES, IP, will verify the information submitted for registration purposes. You will receive a notification with the decision after the analysis is complete.

The applicant entity must present the necessary documents to prove its legal status and legitimacy to carry out higher education activities in its respective country of origin.

In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 3 of Decree-Law No. 83/2026 of April 7, the registration request must be accompanied by an application, written in Portuguese and addressed to IES, IP, which must include the following information:

• The complete identification of the applicant entity, including its legal form, company name or corporate name, nationality and registered office, without prejudice to the provisions of the following paragraph;
• A list of higher education activities to be developed in the national territory by the applicant entity;
• Identifying the entity responsible for issuing the diplomas;
• An indication of the accreditation and recognition regime for diplomas issued applicable under the legal system of the State in which the applicant entity is legally established, including proof that the entity is legally authorized to offer higher education courses and issue the diplomas in question;
• The identification and characterization of the physical facilities intended for carrying out the higher education activities of the applicant entity in national territory, if any;
• The email address and website of the applicant entity must be provided.

Whenever applicable, the submitted documentation must comply with the legally required authentication, certification, or translation requirements.

The IES, IP, will assess the registration request within a maximum period of 30 days, in accordance with the provisions of Decree-Law No. 83/2026, of April 7.

Whenever the submitted application does not contain all the elements necessary for its assessment, IES, IP, may request any additional information or clarifications that are necessary for the processing of the application.

The registration regime established by Decree-Law No. 83/2026, of April 7, aims to ensure the transparency of the activity carried out in national territory by foreign entities not integrated into the Portuguese higher education system, as well as to allow for their monitoring and supervision by the IES, IP (Institute of Higher Education Institutions).

Maintaining the registration does not exempt the entity from complying with other legal obligations applicable to its activities.

Amendment to the elements referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 3 of Decree-Law No. 83/2026, of April 7.

In the event of any changes to the elements referred to in paragraph 2, the respective entity must notify IES, IP, within a maximum period of 30 days from the date of the change, by submitting it electronically through the platform mentioned in the previous paragraph.