Updated: February 12, 2025
Nestled along the stunning coast of Southern Portugal, the Algarve is renowned for its captivating coastal charm. The region enjoys over 300 days of sunshine annually and a sublime Mediterranean climate. The natural beauty and luxury coastal lifestyle attract Portuguese nationals, tourists, and expats from across the globe with its unique local culture and cuisine and incredible beaches – from the stunning Praia da Rocha near Portimão to the peaceful Praia da Ilha de Tavira.
Plus, thanks to the Algarve’s proximity to Portugal’s capital of Lisbon, which is just about a 2.5-hour trip away, and its very own international airport in the region’s capital, Faro, expat communities have grown over the past few years.
In addition to all the perks of coastal living on the Iberian Peninsula, the Algarve region is home to an excellent selection of international schools that are well-suited for expats in the area – 12 to be exact. All these factors make the Algarve one of Portugal’s best places for expat families. In this article, we will guide you through the best areas to live in and the best international schools in the Algarve.
Life in the Algarve
In 2023, the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK reported that the foreign resident population in Portugal increased to just under 800,000 foreign residents. Many expats choose the Algarve region for the calm coastal lifestyle and the local schools, especially international schools that offer globally recognized curricula. The affordable cost of living in the Algarve was another attractive feature.
Before we take a closer look at the international schools in Algarve, Portugal, let’s explore a few of the best areas to live in where you can get settled and prepare your children to become top-tier students.
Faro
Faro is the capital city of the Algarve region and offers residents and visitors the perfect blend of busy streets and peaceful areas where you can live with your family. Faro is also home to the Aspire International School, located just to the west of the city. This prestigious educational institute offers high-quality education from kindergarten level to secondary school level based on the British international curriculum.
You can find out more about the Aspire International School on their website.
Lagos
Lagos is a famous town in the Western Algarve. It is known for its vibrant city life, stunning beaches, and popular tourist attractions like the Ponta da Piedade rock formations. Lagos is also the historic center of the Portuguese Age of Discovery. Lagos is also home to the Nobel Algarve British International School, which offers the English national curriculum, Portuguese national curriculum, and International Baccalaureate curriculum from early year levels to secondary school students.
You can find out more about the Nobel International School Algarve by checking out their website.
Albufeira
Famous for its historic architecture and modern lifestyle, Albufeira is the perfect Algarvian city for families to relocate to. Albufeira offers fantastic beaches and a fun outdoor coastal lifestyle. The charming town is also conveniently situated near the Vilamoura International School in Loulé, Portugal. Known as one of the best international schools in Portugal, Vilamoura International School offers the Cambridge international curriculum to preschool, primary school, and secondary school learners. The international school also offers multilingual education that includes Portuguese, English, French, and Russian.
You can find out more about the Vilamoura International School on their website.
Best International Schools in the Algarve
There are several high-quality international schools in Portugal. In the Algarve region, areas like Lagos, Lagoa, Loulé, and Albufeira have various international schools where you can admit your children for educational purposes.
This section will provide you with a list of the best international schools in the Algarve.
Nederlands Onderwijs 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.
Aljezur International School
If you have children aged between 10 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 €6,900 in 2024.
Colégio Santiago Internacional
The Colégio Santiago Internacional is a co-educational school in the Algarve region that offers a bilingual medium of instruction in English and Portuguese.
The school provides both primary and secondary education and follows a British curriculum.
The annual tuition fees in 2024 for this school range from €4,620 to €7,260.
Eden Montessori International School
Suppose your children are between the ages of three and nine years old.
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 are between €6,340 and €9,090.
Algarve International School
Algarve International School, also known as Aspire International School and one of the best international schools in Portugal, provides international education to expat children in the Algarve region. English is the preferred medium of instruction in this school.
This international school offers high-quality education based on the British international curriculum, from kindergarten to primary school and secondary school. Like other international schools, this Algarve International School offers GCSEs and A-levels for international students.
Algarve International School fees are €6,595 per year.
Full List of International Schools in the Algarve
Below you can find the full list of the 12 international schools in the Algarve by region.
Lagos:
- Barlavento International Primary School
- Vale Verde International School
- Nobel Algarve British International School
Silves:
- Nederlands Onderwijs Algarve Portugal
Olhão:
- Colégio Bernardette Romeira
Loulé:
- Educan, Algarve
- CIV – Vilamoura International School
- Eupheus International School Loulé – Algarve
- Algarve International School
Tavira:
- Colégio Santiago Internacional
Aljezur:
- Aljezur International School
Albufeira:
- Eden Montessori International School
The Standard Grading System in Portugal
The Portuguese education system ranks 24th in the 2023 Best Countries for Education Report produced by the US News and World Report, BAV Group, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
However, 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
Grading systems are very different when compared to the Portuguese grading system in American schools and other countries’ grading systems. 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 for private and international schools in Portugal
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.
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
How to Find the Best International School
Finding international schools in Portugal is easier if you commit to research and seek assistance from expat groups and forums. If you have colleagues, family members, or acquaintances who are expats living in the Algarve and who have children enrolled in an international school, ask for advice based on their experience and for tips to make moving to Portugal as seamless as possible.
Many international schools have an online presence through school websites and social media accounts, making it easy to begin your search by simply searching terms like “British international schools in Portugal,”. Once you browse your options and make a short list, you should also check out the online reviews and forums on the international school.
Our residency and citizenship division, Global Citizen Solutions, has carefully created an International School Guide, which provides a full rundown of the international schools in Portugal.
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Frequently Asked Questions About International Schools in the Algarve
How many international schools are in the Algarve?
There are 12 international schools in the Algarve region.
Are international schools free in Portugal?
No, you must pay a yearly fee for your ward’s education in international schools across Portugal. Bear in mind that the tuition fees will vary based on the school you choose to enroll you children in.
Is Portugal affordable for international students?
Since the cost of living in Portugal is lower compared to other European countries, the cost of education is also affordable for international students.
What are the class sizes of Algarve international schools?
The average class size of international schools in the Algarve region is around 20-25 pupils. Most schools have highly qualified teachers and offer extracurricular activities and teaching facilities in small groups.
Are there international boarding schools in Algarve?
Boarding schools are not as common in Portugal as in other countries, but they are beginning to increase in popularity. The Nobel International School Algarve is the largest private school group in southern Portugal and provides co-educational day and boarding options across multiple locations for students aged 3 to 18.
What are the best international schools in the Algarve?
The best international schools in the Algarve include Vilamoura International School, Nobel International School, and Aspire International School. These institutions are known for their academic excellence, diverse extracurricular activities, and strong support for expat families.
How much does it cost to attend an international school in the Algarve?
The average tuition fee for an international school in Portugal is approximately €800 per month. Fees can range from a minimum of €400 to a maximum of €1800 per month, depending on the school.
What curriculum do international schools in the Algarve follow?
International schools in the Algarve typically follow British, American, or International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula. The curricula will depend on the school.
Are there British international schools in the Algarve?
Yes, there are British international schools in the Algarve. Notable examples include the Vale Verde International School and the Aljezur International School, which follow the British National Curriculum.
How do international schools in the Algarve compare to public schools?
International schools in the Algarve typically offer smaller class sizes, a range of curricula, extracurricular activities, and often better facilities compared to public schools.
What extracurricular activities do international schools in the Algarve offer?
International schools in the Algarve offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, music, drama, and various clubs. These activities are designed to foster students’ interests and talents outside the classroom.
What languages are taught in international schools in the Algarve?
Languages taught in international schools in the Algarve typically include English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and German.
Are there international schools in the Algarve that offer the IB (International Baccalaureate) program?
Yes, there are international schools that offer the IB program in the Algarve, such as the Nobel Algarve British International School. The IB curriculum is renowned for its rigorous academic standards and emphasis on critical thinking and global awareness.
What are the transportation options for students attending international schools in the Algarve?
Transportation options for students attending international schools in the Algarve include school bus services, carpool arrangements, and public transportation. Some schools offer dedicated bus routes to various parts of the region. We recommend speaking with the school to determine your options.