Increased tuition costs pose an added obstacle for academic associations, according to their statements.

The Portuguese government has announced a decision to freeze tuition fees for Bachelor's degree programs starting from the 2026/2027 academic year. However, the move has sparked controversy, with various academic associations and political parties expressing their concerns.

The frozen tuition fee for Bachelor's degrees will be 710 euros, an increase of 13 euros from the current fee of 697 euros. This decision comes after a reduction in fees since the 2020/2021 academic year, when the fee was set at 697 euros.

The Minister of Education had previously mentioned the possibility of freezing the value of tuition fees based on the conclusions of a study by the University of Nova de Lisboa on the social action system. However, no organization criticizing the revival of fees for Bachelor's degree programs for the year 2026/2027 is mentioned in the available search results.

In contrast, the freeze on tuition fees for master's degrees has also been announced, without any maximum ceiling. This decision, coupled with the increase in tuition fees for Bachelor's degrees, has raised concerns among students and academic associations.

Some institutions currently charge values well above 1000 euros per year for master's degrees. The Student Movement warns that the increase in tuition fees for master's degrees risks elitizing access to higher academic degrees.

The second cycle (master's degrees) is considered increasingly essential for professional qualification and competitiveness in the labor market. The decision to increase tuition fees, although seemingly small, is considered a "worrying political signal" by students.

According to the conclusions of the researchers from the University of Nova de Lisboa, the real value of scholarships awarded to needy students in higher education has fallen in the last decade and most students say it only covers up to 20% of expenses. The Student Movement argues that the 43% increase in the State Budget for school social action is not sufficient to compensate for the negative effects of an increase in tuition fees.

The Allegation: PCP wants to hear from the Minister in Parliament about the freeze on tuition fees. The PCP had proposed the freezing of the maximum tuition fee within the State Budget for 2017. The movement that brought together academic associations from various universities in Portugal criticized the measures announced by the Minister of Education.

The constitution of the Portuguese Republic foresees "progressively establishing the gratuity of all degrees of education." The change in tuition fees is viewed as opening the door for institutions to progressively increase the values charged, moving in the opposite direction to what is established in the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic.

In January of last year, the Minister of Education had admitted the possibility of freezing the value of tuition fees, depending on the conclusions of the study by the University of Nova de Lisboa on the social action system. The decision to increase tuition fees, despite this previous statement, has led to a wave of criticism and protests from students and academic associations across Portugal.