Erasmus accommodation near IST Alameda
Where the campus sits, and what that means for housing
IST's Alameda campus is a self-contained block on Avenida Rovisco Pais, two minutes from Alameda metro where the green and red lines cross. The red line gets you to the airport in 25 minutes; the green line drops you in Baixa-Chiado in 10. That intersection is the main reason Técnico students don't need to live anywhere fancy — almost any flat in the central-east arc puts you on campus inside a quarter of an hour.
The practical effect: you can prioritise rent and flat quality over location. Most of our IST tenants land in São Jorge de Arroios or Areeiro, walk to lab, and use the saved metro time for everything else.
Commute from Place to Stay parishes
| Parish |
Mode |
Time |
| São Jorge de Arroios |
Walk |
5 min |
| Areeiro |
Walk |
8 min |
| Anjos |
Metro (green) |
10 min |
| Alto do Pina |
Walk |
12 min |
| Penha de França |
Metro + walk |
15 min |
| Avenida Almirante Reis area |
Walk/metro |
10–15 min |
Typical price band for IST students
Most IST Erasmus tenants land in the €450–€650 range for a furnished private room with bills included. Engineering and CS exchanges tend to come on Erasmus+ grants of €350–€500/month plus a top-up from home, and they're sharing a flat with two or three others rather than taking a studio. The walkable parishes around Alameda — Arroios and Areeiro especially — sit comfortably inside that band, which is why we steer most Técnico arrivals there first.
If you're a master's student or PhD candidate on a longer stay (6–12 months), studios in Areeiro or one-bed serviced apartments in Arroios run €750–€1,100 — still a fair deal for the location.
FAQ
Do I need a Portuguese NIF before signing a lease at Place to Stay?
No — we hold rooms while you obtain your NIF after arrival. Many IST students sign first and get their NIF in the first two weeks, often through a Finanças appointment near campus or via a fiscal representative. We can point you to the closest Finanças office and explain what to bring.
What's included in the rent?
Furnished room, all bills (water, electricity, gas, internet), weekly common-area cleaning, and 24/7 maintenance. Bedding and a basic kitchen kit are in place the day you arrive. No surprise charges at the end of the month.
Can my parents pay rent from abroad?
Yes. We accept SEPA bank transfers from any EU country and international wires from outside the EU. Most parents set up a standing order for the duration of the lease. We send the invoice in your name so you have proof of payment for any visa or grant requirement.
Can I get a residencia / proof-of-address letter for immigration?
Yes — we issue an official proof-of-address letter (declaração de morada) free of charge, usually within 48 hours of moving in. It's accepted by AIMA (formerly SEF) for residency registration and by IST's international office.
Is the deposit refundable?
Yes, fully, minus any documented damage. We do a joint check-out walkthrough and refund within 30 days to the account you specify. We've had this policy since 2019 and we're happy to share what "documented damage" means in practice — normal wear is not on the list.
What if my semester ends early or I need to leave?
Standard Erasmus contracts are aligned to academic semesters (Sep–Jan or Feb–Jul). If you need to leave earlier, give us 30 days' notice and we'll work out a fair exit — usually waiving the remainder if we can re-let the room quickly.
Browse IST-friendly rooms
Have a look at what's currently free in Arroios, Areeiro, and Anjos, or send us your dates and we'll come back with three options that match your budget and start date. We're from Lisbon, we know which side of Alameda gets sun in winter, and we don't oversell.
