Only 11% of students in the student’s accommodation plan are ready

Despite delays in the execution of the plan, the government guarantees that the deadline of March 2026 for the creation of another 19,000 students for students will be fulfilled.

The execution rate of the National Plan for Higher Education Accommodation (PNAES) is far below the expected, with Only 11% of the 19 thousand beds completed until April 2025.

According to data provided to by the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI), 2139 beds are ready – 1162 new and 977 rehabilitated – within the scope of a contractual goal with the European Commission, to be reached until the end of the first quarter of 2026.

Despite the delays, the executive guarantees to be confident in the realization of the goals, pointing to the main obstacles to shortage of proposals in public tenders and the increase in costs in construction. Still, the number of initial projects fell significantly from 60 in March to only six, and currently 89 works ongoing, with 21 more about to start.

Since its inception in 2018, PNAES has been integrated into the Plan of Recovery and Resilience (PRR), expanding the investment to 507 million eurosof which 415 million are intended for the creation of new beds. In all, 141 projects are contractual, involving 33 higher education institutions, 25 municipalities and other public and social entities.

The University of Lisbon leads in expected number of beds (1535), of which 642 are already operational. The institution estimates that, after the completion of the works, it will have 2600 beds, supporting students displaced in a city where the Accessible accommodation is scarce.

Braga stands out with the construction of the largest university residence funded by PRR, in the former Confidence Factory, with 786 beds. Already in Beja, the work of the Polytechnic Institute is 78% completedwith 503 new beds planned – 260 already ready.

The University of Aveiro, in turn, will increase the offer by more than 40%with 981 beds (425 new and 556 rehabilitated), maintaining a approach centered on welfare and social interaction.

Despite multiple challenges – from inflation to technical adjustments required by regulations – the government and the institutions involved ensure that the deadline of March 2026 will be fulfilled.