Do I need a Portuguese NIF before signing a lease at Place to Stay?
No. We can hold the room for you while you obtain your NIF after arrival. Many international students sign first and get their NIF in the first two weeks. We can also send you a NIF-ready accommodation letter on request — usually same day from
[email protected]. See our
full NIF guide.
What's included in the rent?
All Place to Stay student contracts include water, electricity, gas, fast Wi-Fi, weekly cleaning of common areas, and full furnishing — bed, mattress, linen, desk, lamp, closet, kitchenware. You arrive with a suitcase.
How long is the minimum stay?
Three months minimum for student / long-term contracts. Shorter stays (1–3 months) are sometimes possible for serviced apartments — ask the team if you have a specific window.
Is the deposit refundable?
Yes. The deposit (typically one month's rent) is refundable at the end of the contract minus any documented damage, in line with Portuguese tenancy law (Lei do Arrendamento).
Can my parents pay rent from abroad?
Yes. We accept SEPA bank transfers from any EU country and international wires. Many parents pay directly; we issue a receipt to the tenant for residencia / immigration purposes if needed.
Which neighborhood is best for which university?
For ISCTE / IST Alameda / NOVA SBE Campolide → Arroios, Anjos, Alameda, Areeiro. For NOVA SBE Carcavelos → western parishes (Alcântara, Lapa, Ajuda) on the train line. For FCT NOVA Caparica → easier from Alcântara or Lapa via the bridge bus. For Católica / FCSH → São Sebastião da Pedreira (Saldanha) or São Domingos de Benfica. See our
per-university guides.
How do I view a room before booking?
We do live video tours over WhatsApp by appointment, or in-person tours if you're already in Lisbon. Just message
[email protected] or +351 938 173 494.
What happens if I need to leave early?
Early termination is possible with 30 days' notice. The deposit covers any contractual penalty. Specifics are in each contract — we don't penalize emergencies (illness, family, university change).
Can I get a residencia / proof-of-address letter?
Yes. We issue accommodation letters on request, including ones formatted for AIMA (Portuguese immigration) or your home university's exchange office. Email
[email protected] with the format you need; we usually respond same day.
Are pets allowed?
Some flats yes, some no — depends on the building and the landlord. Tell us before signing and we'll match you to a pet-OK flat if available.
How does Place to Stay differ from booking via Erasmusu / HousingAnywhere / Spotahome?
Those platforms aggregate listings from many landlords. Place to Stay manages every flat ourselves — same team that photographs the room is the team that fixes the boiler and answers your WhatsApp. We've been doing this in Lisbon since 2013.
What if I have a problem at midnight?
Call the 24/7 line: +351 933 483 634. It's not a call centre — it's the on-call duty manager from the team.