List of International Schools in Algarve: Complete 2026 Guide

International Schools by Region in the Algarve

Choosing the right school is crucial to set your children up in the best way for the challenges of life. Below you can find the complete list of the 15 international schools in the Algarve by region to easily compare your options.

Portugal school calendar 2025-2026

Exact school calendar dates will vary depending on the school. However, schools generally begin in mid-September and end in June the following year.

The 2025 to 2026 Portuguese education system is shown below:

• First term: School term tends to start between 11 and 15 September, and ends 15 December
• Second term: Runs from 6 January to 29 March 20226
• Third term: 5 to 30 June, depending on the Grade

Holidays are shown below:

Best International Schools in the Algarve

There are several high-quality international schools in Portugal, and the Algarve is home to some of the best. Popular areas such as Lagos, Lagoa, Loulé, and Albufeira each have various international schools where you can pick and choose the best option for you.

This section will provide you with a list of the best international schools in the Algarve.

Aljezur International School

If you have children aged between 11 and 18, the Aljezur International School is the perfect match for your child.

Situated in Aljezur, in the Western Algarve, this is among the most prominent international schools that offer secondary school education to children aged between 10 and 18, based on the British curriculum and using innovative teaching methods adapted to Portugal’s culture and lifestyle.

The annual tuition fees for this British international school start at €7,200 t0 €8,100 in 2026.

Algarve International School

The Algarve International School (AIS), also known as Aspire International School, is one of the best international schools in Portugal, providing international education to expat children in the Algarve region. English is the preferred medium of instruction in this school.

This British curriculum school in the Central Algarve offers a modern, international environment for primary and secondary students. Families favor this school due to its small classes and personalized learning. The Algarve International School offers GCSEs and A-levels for international students.

Algarve International School fees are €6,595 to €13,995 per year in 2026.

Barlavento International School

With a school family community, exceptional teachers, and modern buildings, Barlabento excels in providing children with the tools to engage in the world around them while also having a strong academic focus.

Barlavento is based on the UK national curriculum.

Tuition fees stand at €7050 per year.

Brave Generation (BGA)

A bit different from other education centers in the Algarve, BGA offers hybrid and secondary schooling options, internationally recognized qualifications, and alternative higher education routes.

There is a range of BGA hubs across the Algarve, with tuition fees of around €8,340.

Bright International

Bright International provides a personalized Cambridge curriculum to the Algarve, with a nurturing environment where students can be themselves and thrive.

Annual fees for Bright International are €7,470 (pre-reception) to €15,200 (Year 10).

Colégio Bernardette Romeira (CBR Olhão)

Colégio Bernardette Romeira is a bilingual international school that prides itself on its strong academic foundation and small class sizes, allowing for a better teacher-to-student ratio and more hands-on learning.

This is a top choice in the Eastern Algarve, with tuition fees in 2026 ranging from €6,700 to €7,700.

Vilamoura International School (CIV)

Founded in 1984, Vilamoura International School (Colégio Internacional de Vilamoura, CIV) is one of the Algarve’s most highly respected international private schools. The school harnesses more than 40 years of leading education, and students can choose between two pathways from the ages of 3 to 18: Portuguese Studies, following the National Curriculum, or English Studies.

Fees for CIV in 2026 range from €5,385 to €12,415, with discounts (as with many schools) for second (10 percent discount), third (15 percent discount), and fourth children (20 percent discount).

Santiago International College

The Colégio Santiago Internacional is a bilingual, co-educational school in the Algarve region that offers instruction in English and Portuguese. The school has small class sizes and a strong academic foundation, making it a firm favorite in the Eastern Algarve.

The school provides both primary and secondary education and follows a British curriculum.

The annual tuition fees in 2026 for this school range from €4,855 to €7,618.

German School (Deutsche Schule Algarve – DSA)

The Deutsche Schule Algarve is the region’s German international school. With a German curriculum and a strong academic structure, the school, located in Silves, is one of the most respected in the region. The school focuses on well-structured programs and on critical thinking ability, with subject specialization in the final years.

Eden Montessori International School

Montessori offers early education for children between the ages of 3-12

In that case, Eden Montessori International School is one of the international schools in Portugal that offers authentic Montessori education in the Algarve region.

English and Portuguese are the languages of instruction provided by this school.

The annual tuition fees for this school in 2026 are between €6,340 and €9,090.

Educan (Loulé)

Educan, in Loulé in the Central Algarve, is a modern international school that offers a project-based approach to more traditional schooling. The school focused on shaping the leaders of tomorrow. The school has a growing expat appeal as it becomes more well-known.

Tuition fees range from €6,309 to €8,387 in 2026.

Montalvo International School

Montalvo International School, established in 2023, offers education from the ground up, providing for the needs of each child in the school. With small class sizes and cutting-edge technology, Montalvo International has emerged as one of the best new schools in Portugal.

Fees range from around €13,780 to €18,100 in 2026.

Nobel Algarve International School

The Nobel Algarve British International School is surrounded by green spaces and offers modern facilities. The school is open to students from Nursery up to Year 13. The curriculum is British, offering IGCSEs, BTECs, and the IB. You have two schools, one in Lagoa and one in Almancil

Surrounded by green space and boasting excellent facilities, Nobel Algarve Almancil is open to students from Nursery to Year 13 and teaches a British curriculum offering IGCSEs, BTEC, and IB Diplomas.

Vale Verde International School

Vale Verde International School is a close community school aiming to ensure students reach their full potential. The school has a bilingual primary school and excels with good school results due to high academic standards. Pupils will have freedom to explore their creativity, and there are plenty of sporting opportunities for them to get involved in.

Annual fees for Vale Verde in 2026 are €6,993 (Years 1 and 2) to €12,258 (Years 12 and 13).

Dutch Education Algarve Portugal

One of the best international schools in Portugal, Nederlands Onderwijs Algarve Portugal, follows a Dutch curriculum and offers students both primary and secondary school.

The curriculum is based on Dutch education practices alongside the Portuguese national curriculum.

They also provide Portuguese language lessons, lessons in Dutch, and English lessons in a supportive environment.

Annual tuition fees range from €5,500 to €6,500.

The Standard Grading System in Portugal

The Portuguese education system ranks 25th in the 2026 Education Rankings Index, highlighting that the standards are high. However, while many schools will follow the British curriculum or other national curricula, it is essential to note that families moving to Portugal can expect to find a different grading system from their home country for primary, secondary, and higher education.

The basic public education school program in Portugal is simple: 

• Public and private preschools: Ages 3 to 6
• Primary education: Ages 6 to 15
• Upper secondary school: Ages 15 to 18
• Higher education: 18 and above

For middle-schooling, a five-point scoring system is used, with 50 percent being the lowest grade to pass: 

• 90-100 percent – Muito bom – Very good
• 70-89 percent – Bom – Good
• 50-69 percent – Suficiente – Satisfactory
• 20-49 percent – Insuficiente – Unsatisfactory
• 0-19 percent – Mal – Fail

For secondary education (grades 10-12) and higher education, a 20-point grading system is used: 

• 17.5-20 – Excelente – Excellent
• 15.5-17.4 – Muito bom – Very good
• 13.5-15.4- Bom – Good
• 9.5-13.4 – Suficiente – Satisfactory
• 3.5-9.5 – Insuficiente – Unsatisfactory
• 0-3.4 – Mal – Fail

The Portuguese education system works with this grading scale; decimals from 0.5 and higher are rounded up to the closest whole number — for instance, 9.5 becomes a 10, making 9.5 the minimum grade to pass.

Admission Requirements

Whether you are looking for German Schools, American international schools, or British international schools, it is essential to bear in mind that private and international schools in Portugal can sometimes have strict admission processes. It would help if you considered this carefully, in addition to the Portuguese education system and the international schools’ cost, location, and foreign language tuition.

Required documents

You will typically need to provide the following documents. However, it is best to contact the school you are enrolling your child in to check if they require any specific or alternative documents listed here:

• School enrollment form (available from the school’s website)
• ID cards for the parents and child
• Three passport photos of the student and their sponsor of education (encarregado de educação)
• Proof of residence
• Previous school records and reports
• Medical certificates and the child’s immunization records (Boletim de vacinas)
• Proof of payment of the application fee
• Language tests, if applicable

Some schools will also require an interview or assessment to complete.

What to Consider When Choosing an International School in the Algarve

When choosing an international school in the Algarve, you’ll want to consider the following:

• Curriculum: What curriculum do you want your children to follow? British (IGCSE, A-Levels, Cambridge), IB, Portuguese national curriculum, Montessori, German, Dutch, hybrid, etc.
• Location: Which part of the Algarve is most suited to your lifestyle and where you would like to live? Western Algarve (Aljezur, Vale Verde, Lagos), Central (Lagoa, Loulé, Albufeira), or the Eastern Algarve (Tavira, Olhão).
• Age range: Some schools offer only primary education, while others go up to A-Levels or IB. Consider this for a smooth transition from one school to another, or if you’d like your child to remain in the same school throughout their education.
• School size: Consider the advantages of smaller schools or larger established schools and their track record and atmosphere.
• Fees: Thoroughly research and compare school fees (see table above)
• Waiting lists: If your desired school has a waiting list, enroll as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Also, we advise that you have a backup plan, just in case.

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