Portugal National Exams and Access to Higher Education 2026

The 2026 National Exams in Portugal already have a schedule defined by IAVE and take place in two main phases, with the first phase being the most relevant for applications to higher education. Grades are released immediately after the exams, allowing students to request the ENES Form, an essential document for application. The National Access Competition to higher education has three phases, with DGES warning of possible annual adjustments to the dates. Students must meet specific requirements, with each course potentially requiring between 1 and 3 exams as proof of entry. Access to higher education in Portugal remains dependent on a rigorous system, highlighting the importance of organization and meeting deadlines by students.

The 2026 National Exams in Portugal already have a schedule defined by IAVE and will take place in two main phases. Find out the dates for the exams and for applications to Higher Education.

The 2026 national exams will take place in two phases:

The first phase is the most important for applying to higher education, and it is also the one that brings together the majority of students.

Test results

The rankings are released shortly after the exams are administered.

After the release of their grades, students can request the ENES Form (which contains all the necessary information for applying to higher education), an essential document for applying to higher education.

The National Entrance Examination for higher education is divided into three phases:

Phase 1

Phase 2

3rd phase

DGES confirms that this process may undergo annual adjustments, so some dates should be considered indicative until the final official publication.

To apply, the student must meet several requirements:

Each course may require between 1 and 3 entrance exams, as determined by the higher education institutions.

Access to higher education in Portugal continues to depend on a rigorous system, based on national exams, classifications, and well-defined application phases. For students, the key lies in organization and strictly adhering to deadlines.