Portugal

Organisational autonomy: medium high

The law states selection criteria for executive heads, dismissal procedure (with external confirmation necessary), and exact term of office. Universities must include and freely appoint external members in their board/council. Portuguese universities decide on their academic structures. They may create both for-profit and non-profit legal entities with restrictions.

Financial autonomy: medium high

Universities may not reallocate block grant funds across set categories. Universities can keep surpluses with the approval of an external authority. There are differences in access to borrowing as only foundation status universities are able to contract loans. Universities may own and sell buildings with notification to the ministry. At Bachelor level tuition fees for national/EU students have to be set below a ceiling stipulated by an external authority, while universities may freely set fees for other levels and for international students.

Academic autonomy: medium low

Universities negotiate overall student numbers with the ministry. At Bachelor level admission criteria are co-regulated between universities and the ministry. All new degree programmes at Bachelor, Master and doctoral levels must be submitted for prior accreditation so as to be introduced. Universities cannot choose either quality assurance mechanisms or providers.

Staffing autonomy: medium high

The recruitment of senior academic staff is regulated by law, while an external confirmation is only required for senior administrative staff with civil servant status. The State controls the overall expenses in salaries, which are externally set for staff with civil servant status. Dismissals are strictly regulated for these staff. The law regulates the composition of promotion committees for senior academic staff.