The numbers are from Cushman & Wakefield, within its recently published «European Accommodation Guide», according to which there are currently 18.000 beds available for students in the country.
Andreia Almeida, director of Research at the consultant, mentions in a release that «driven by the potential the market presents, it is estimated that in 2016 71 million euro were invested in the development of student residences in Portugal and this pace is expected to be maintained in the next few years. As proof of this dynamics, operators such as Collegiate, SmartStudios, U.hub and Studenville, which established themselves in the market in the last two years, have ambitious plans to grow together with international partners».
This study shows that Portugal had around 400.000 university students during the 2017/2018 school year. Of those, 42% were displaced nationals and 13% were international students. It is a market boosted by the students’ strong demand, which still contrasts with the lack of modern and adequate offer. This has attracted investors and developers, who are now looking for opportunities in a market with high potential.
Furthermore, Lisbon and Porto «are becoming innovation centres», according to the consultant, and the promotion of corporate clusters boosts new entrepreneurial initiatives within the universities, which has «a strong appeal for young national and EU students».