Second race for university in Portugal: Approximately 23 thousand candidates are waiting for a quota

Competition in the second phase of entry to higher education in Portugal has increased significantly compared to last year.

22,694 candidates applied to the second stage of the 2026 national higher education placement process.

The number of applications increased by approximately 33% compared to the same stage last year.

Approximately 5 thousand more applications

22,694 applications in the second stage mean an increase of approximately 5 thousand people compared to 2025.

More than 60 thousand applications were received in the first stage.

The second stage is open to students who were not placed in the first round, as well as candidates who want to re-select.

However, since the quotas available in the second stage depend on the places left vacant after the first stage or opened later, there are not the same number of options in each department.

When will the results be announced?

Second stage placement results are expected to be announced by September 30.

The registration and enrolment procedures of the placed candidates are as follows:

1–3 October 2026

It will be held between .

For this reason, students who choose in the second stage have a very short time period for registration after the result is announced.

What does a high number of applications mean?

The 33% increase in applications does not directly mean that the total number of students in universities will increase at the same rate.

The number of students who can be placed in the second stage will be determined by the available quotas.

At the same time, since a candidate can make more than one choice, the number of applications depends on the number of applications. It is necessary to distinguish between the demands in a university or department.

What should candidates do now?

Students who applied for the second stage can follow the process via Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior while waiting for the results to be announced.

In case of placement, it is especially important not to miss the registration period between 1-3 October.

For students who cannot be placed, a new opportunity may arise later on through the remaining quotas in the third stage.

Resources

Público — Daniela Carmo, 21 September 2026

https://www.publico.pt/educacao/ensino-superior

Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior

https://www.dges.gov.pt/