Erasmus Student Network Portugal

What Erasmus Student Network Portugal does

Erasmus Student Network Portugal (ESN Portugal) is the Portuguese national branch of the Erasmus Student Network, legally registered as a non-profit association in 2009 and headquartered at the University of Porto rectorate. The organization operates under the principle of 'Students Helping Students' and is the Portuguese arm of what is described as Europe's largest student organization, with ~500 volunteers across 13 local sections in 14 cities (Algarve, Açores, Aveiro, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Covilhã, Évora, Lisboa, Minho, Porto, Tomar, UTAD). It serves approximately 14,000 international mobility participants annually, providing integration support, cultural activities, accommodation assistance, advocacy, and access to discounts via the ESNcard membership system, which is valid across 42 countries and 900+ institutions internationally.

ESN Portugal's product portfolio spans a membership card (ESNcard) with access to ~2,000 European discounts, online platforms (ErasmusIntern.org for internships, ESNcard.org for discount discovery, MappED! for accessibility, the Erasmus+ App), Survival Guides for incoming/outgoing/Lusophone students, and a portfolio of social projects including Christmas with Portuguese Families (96% repeat participation among host families in 2023), Erasmus in Schools (81% increased intercultural interest in 2024), Go Green environmental initiatives, and the Erasmus National Meeting annual event (~1,000 participants). The underlying technology stack is non-proprietary: a Drupal-based website, internal ESN Galaxy volunteer login, and shared ESN international platforms. There is no public API, no proprietary software IP, and no AI/ML capabilities.

The organization's revenue model combines three streams: institutional support from the European Commission via the Erasmus+ programme and Portuguese National Agencies (PROALV, Youth in Action), corporate sponsorships from named partners (Europcar, Spotahome, Selina, iServices, Eurosender, Stay Hotels, Yorn, RFM Somnii, Element, RoadCampers, plus international partners like Ryanair, FlixBus, Vodafone, Revolut, Logitech), and recurring ESNcard membership fees. No commercial pricing is published. The go-to-market is community-led and volunteer-driven, with social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok), university partnerships (International Relations Offices, student councils, Buddy Programs), national events (ENM, ESNOlympics), and Eurodesk Portugal serving as top-of-funnel channels.

Name

Erasmus Student Network Portugal

Legal name

Erasmus Student Network Portugal

Website

https://esnportugal.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Erasmus Student Network Portugal is a non-profit student organization, the Portuguese branch of Europe's largest student network, supporting ~14,000 international mobility participants annually across 14 cities through 500+ volunteers, the ESNcard discount programme, and cultural integration services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Mobility Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Student Academic & Personal Support (case management, referrals) (EDALANAE)

Keywords

• Student mobility support
• International student services
• Exchange programme advocacy
• Youth volunteer network
• Student discount membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Porto

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. European Commission / Erasmus+ Support: ESN Portugal is recognized by the European Commission as a promoter of civic participation and receives institutional support through the Erasmus+ programme. The National Agency Erasmus+ Education and Training supports the organization's activities.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnership Agreements: ESN Portugal receives financial and tangible support from commercial partners (Europcar, Spotahome, Selina, iServices, Eurosender, Stay Hotels, Yorn, RFM Somnii, Element, RoadCampers) through flexible partnership agreements, typically project-based. Partners gain branding, visibility, and access to mobile educated youth.
3. ESNcard Membership Fees: The ESNcard serves as a membership card providing access to services, activities, and discounts across Europe. The card is valid for one year and offers discounts on housing, sport, food, and entertainment throughout Europe.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ESN Portugal is a non-profit student organisation that supports international and Erasmus+ students in Portugal through 14 local sections in universities across the country. Its core offering is the ESNcard membership, which grants students access to a network of partner discounts, services, events, and integration support, complemented by cultural activities, advocacy, and mobility resources. Operations are delivered by 500+ volunteers under the "Students Helping Students" principle, supported by the European Commission and Erasmus+ programme.

Product overview

ESN Portugal operates as a non-profit student organization within the Erasmus Student Network, offering a portfolio of membership services and social projects rather than a unified software product. The core offering is the ESNcard membership system, which provides access to discounts through ESNcard.org and connects students to affiliated platforms including ErasmusIntern.org (internship placement), Erasmus+ App (mobile support), and MappED! (accessibility mapping). The organization produces Survival Guides for incoming and outgoing mobility participants and operates numerous social and advocacy projects including Christmas with Portuguese Families, Erasmus in Schools, Go Green environmental initiatives, and the Erasmus National Meeting annual event. These are volunteer-driven initiatives supported by a Drupal-based website, not commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ESNcard: The membership card of the Erasmus Student Network providing access to services, discounts, and partner offers across Europe.
• Natal com Famílias Portuguesas (Christmas with Portuguese Families)
• Natal com Comerciantes Portugueses (Christmas with Portuguese Retailers)
• Erasmus in Schools
• Go Green
• Agenda para a Participação Juvenil

Products and services

• ESNcard Annual membership card of the Erasmus Student Network that provides international students access to services, discounts from partners, and events organised by ESN sections across Europe; valid for one year and strictly personal.
• ErasmusIntern.org Online platform for finding internships abroad, enabling students to develop professionally through international work experience.
• ESNcard.org Search engine and membership database that aggregates nearly 2,000 discounts from international, national, and local deals around Europe for ESNcard holders.
• Erasmus+ App Mobile application providing Erasmus+ participants with information and resources to support their mobility experience.
• MappED! Platform to find accessible universities, helping students with disabilities identify higher education institutions that meet their accessibility needs.
• Survival Guide: Incoming Guide supporting international students arriving in Portugal with information on visa processes, accommodation, the Portuguese higher education system, culture, finances, transportation, health services, and leisure activities.
• Survival Guide: Outgoing Guide supporting Portuguese students preparing for international mobility with information on visas, documentation, packing tips, institution selection, and cultural adaptation strategies.
• Orientações Lusófonas Guide specifically for Portuguese-speaking students from CPLP countries (Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, Timor-Leste) addressing cultural and academic particularities they may face.
• Christmas with Portuguese Families Project connecting local Portuguese families with international students during Christmas holidays to provide a warm festive experience for those who would otherwise spend the holidays alone, promoting cultural exchange.
• Christmas with Portuguese Retailers Project celebrating and promoting small and medium Portuguese retailers during holidays through local and international students, supporting local businesses and buying-local initiatives.
• Erasmus in Schools Project engaging international students with local primary and secondary schools to promote intercultural understanding, mobility opportunities, and language learning.
• Go Green Environmental sustainability project featuring card recycling (Recollect) and secondhand markets (Rewear) to promote circular economy and sustainable habits among the ESN community.
• Erasmus National Meeting (ENM) Annual 4-day national event gathering around 1,000 Erasmus and exchange programme participants since 2005, featuring waterparks, beach activities, inflatables, and parties organised by ESN Portugal volunteers.
• Erasmus National Games (ENG) Annual international sports competition for Erasmus students featuring Futsal, Basketball, and Volleyball with local, national, and international competition phases.
• Agenda para a Participação Juvenil Project addressing youth labour precarity and democratic disconnection through Diagnosis, Debate, and Validation phases using non-formal education, resulting in a Roadmap for Youth Participation and Employability.

Quantifiable outcome

• 79% of participating Portuguese families enjoyed the Christmas with Portuguese Families project and 96% would participate again (2023)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Europcar PortugalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEuropcar is a market leader in vehicle rental in Portugal since 1996 with 85+ stations and 10,000+ vehicles. Offers ESN members exclusive discounts: 15% off car and commercial rentals in Portugal, 15% off bikes/scooters/motorbikes, and 10% off car rentals abroad. Discount code 56077962 required.
• SpotahomecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpotahome is an online platform for mid to long-term furnished accommodation in 170 European cities including Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra. Offers ESN Portugal members a 25% discount on their one-off service fee using promo code ESNPT25 or direct link at esnportugal.spotahome.com.
• SelinacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSelina provides accommodation, travel, and work experiences in over 163 destinations worldwide. In Portugal, locations include Ericeira, Évora, Gerês, Lisboa, Milfontes, Peniche, and Porto. Offers ESN members 20% discount on accommodation at flex rates. Booking by email with reference ESNSELINA23.
• iServicescoreGTM or Marketing PartneriServices is the leading national repair company for telecommunications and IT equipment in Portugal, present with 30+ stores. Offers ESNcard holders a 10% discount on repairs and accessories. Repairs multi-brand devices (Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, DJI drones) in ~20 minutes with free diagnostics and 2-year warranty.
• EurosenderminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEurosender is a logistics platform offering international shipping services. Listed as a national partner of ESN Portugal providing discount services to ESNcard holders.
• YornminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYorn is listed as a national partner of ESN Portugal.
• Stay HotelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStay Hotels is listed as a national partner of ESN Portugal.
• RFM SomniiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRFM Somnii is a music festival in Portugal and listed as a national partner of ESN Portugal.
• Element (Fitness)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerElement Fitness is listed as a national partner of ESN Portugal.
• RoadCampersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRoadCampers is a campervan rental company listed as a national partner of ESN Portugal.
• Let's SwapcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLet's Swap is a strategic partner for the Go Green project, implementing secondhand markets for clothes and books. Partnership called 'Rewear'. ESN Portugal and Let's Swap collaborate on sustainable consumption initiatives at local section level.
• National Agency Erasmus+ Education and Training (PROALV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESN Portugal works closely with PROALV to bring Erasmus+ as close as possible to its participants and ensure the programme works effectively across Portugal.
• National Agency for the Youth in Action ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESN Portugal works closely with the National Agency for the Management of the Youth in Action Programme to support mobility and youth participation initiatives.
• European CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe European Commission is ESN's closest and most important partner. Collaboration is based on mutual respect and trust, as both organizations are deeply involved in the implementation and development of mobility programmes. ESN is recognized by the EC as a promoter of civic participation in European citizenship.
• Portuguese National Youth Council (CNJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESN Portugal is a full member of CNJ, representing and defending mobility programmes for Portuguese young people, and contributing to national youth policy development.
• Eurodesk PortugalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEurodesk is a non-profit association supporting Erasmus+ implementation. ESN Portugal participates in youth information advisers' events and contributes to Eurodesk-led initiatives such as European Youth Week and Time to Move.
• Portuguese Volunteering Confederation (CPV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESN Portugal is a full member of CPV, a platform bringing together volunteer-dependent organizations. CPV defends volunteer rights and promotes recognition of volunteering in Portugal.
• RyanairminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRyanair is one of the named international partners of the ESNcard project, offering flight discounts to card holders across Europe.
• FlixBusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFlixBus is one of the named international partners of the ESNcard project, offering bus travel discounts to card holders.
• The EconomistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Economist is listed as an international partner of the ESNcard project.
• VodafoneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVodafone is listed as an international partner of the ESNcard project.
• LogitechminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLogitech is listed as an international partner of the ESNcard project.
• RevolutminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRevolut is listed as an international partner of the ESNcard project.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Erasmus Student Network (ESN International): ESN International is the umbrella non-profit organization of which ESN Portugal is a national section. It operates across 42 countries and 900+ higher education institutions, providing the shared ESNcard, ErasmusIntern.org, and Erasmus+ App platforms that ESN Portugal's offering is built on.
• IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience): IAESTE operates paid international traineeships for students through national committees in 80+ countries, providing a comparable model of cross-border student mobility support, institutional partnerships, and structured international exchange programs.
• BEST (Board of European Students of Technology): BEST is a non-profit, non-political student organization present at universities across Europe, organizing competitions, courses, and career events for students — a comparable volunteer-driven, EU-wide student federation model with national/regional sections similar to ESN Portugal.
• ESN Germany: The German national section of ESN, with a similarly federated local-section model supporting international students at German universities through events, ESNcard, and corporate partnerships — directly comparable to ESN Portugal in operating structure and service portfolio.
• ELSA (European Law Students' Association): ELSA is a non-profit, independent, and non-political student organization with national and local groups across Europe, providing trainee exchanges, academic events, and competitions — comparable to ESN's federated volunteer network structure focused on student mobility and development.
• ESN Spain: The Spanish national section of ESN, operating a comparable volunteer-based model across multiple Spanish cities to support Erasmus+ students with integration activities, ESNcard distribution, and corporate partnerships — directly parallel to ESN Portugal's structure and services.
• Eurodesk: Eurodesk is a non-profit European youth information network that provides information on learning mobility, EU programmes, and Erasmus+ — a direct peer in the youth mobility information space, with which ESN Portugal is itself a member via Eurodesk Portugal.
• AEGEE (European Students' Forum): One of Europe's largest interdisciplinary student organizations, AEGEE operates a pan-European volunteer network of student members running events, mobility projects, and advocacy — closely comparable to ESN's 'Students Helping Students' volunteer model and youth policy advocacy work.

Others

• EYE (Erasmus+ Youth in Europe): EYE is the European Youth Event organized by the European Parliament in partnership with the European Commission and European youth organizations, including ESN — a thematic partner in the same EU youth mobility and civic participation ecosystem that ESN Portugal operates within.

Emerging players

• GaragErasmus: GaragErasmus is a non-profit foundation supporting Erasmus alumni and entrepreneurship across Europe, partially overlapping with ESN Portugal's volunteer and post-exchange engagement model for returning exchange students and alumni.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/esnportugal
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ESNPT
• Facebookfacebook.com/ESNportugal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/erasmus-student-network-portugal
• Instagraminstagram.com/esnportugal
• TikToktiktok.com/@esnportugal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Erasmus Student Network Portugal