List of the Top 20 International Schools in Portugal in 2024

 

Whether it is the climate, the rich history, the high standard of living, or the quality of life, many families are drawn to Portugal’s shores. The country also offers a high-quality education system, and there are many excellent international schools in Portugal, especially in the cities of Lisbon and Porto, and in the delightful Algarve region.

When it comes to education in Portugal, families moving to the country will be pleased to know that their children will receive a high-quality education. Whether you opt for a public school offering the Portuguese national curriculum or a private school with international curricula, such as the International Baccalaureate program, British curriculum or other international curriculum, there are several options on the table.

Portugal has become a world-class business hub in the past years, but the country has much more to offer for families than just work and business opportunities. Families have the option to spend much of the year outside due to the favorable climate and the fact that the Portuguese are a very family-centered people means that Sundays are often reserved for spending quality time together.

In this article, we will explore the top international schools in Portugal, Portugal’s public schools, and the national curriculum. We will also discuss how foreign residents can find the best international or private school, and other important aspects related to international schools in Portugal.

Is education free in Portugal?

When it comes to Portugal’s school fees, public education in the country is free, and every child must attend school up to the age of 18. Foreign residents who are living in the country with valid residence permits can enroll their children in a local primary school or high school.

Private and international schools will require tuition fees that vary depending on the school you choose. Although private international schools in Portugal may be the more expensive option, even if you find the cheapest international school in Portugal to enroll your child in, the costs will likely be worthwhile. There are a number of excellent international schools in Portugal to choose from. Some will offer a more rigorous academic program incorporating innovative teaching methods, while others offer religious education alongside multilingual education. It all depends on choosing the school that best caters to your child’s educational needs.

Pre-school education is optional. This is for children between the ages of three and six and is provided by kindergartens. Kindergartens are managed by various public organizations, independent schools, charitable institutions, and cooperatives.

Is university education free in Portugal?

Public Portuguese universities are free to decide the tuition fee amount that students must pay. Public universites generally charge less than €1,500 per year for their Bachelor and Master programs, although some private universities may charge up to €4,000 per year.

Finding a School in Portugal

When it comes to schools, all parents will have different requirements for their children. To find the school that is most suitable for you and your family, contact one of the schools in the area that you are living in Portugal or the Regional Education Authority (Direcção Regional de Educação).

The final date for enrollment is usually 15 July of each year. However, it is best to confirm this with the school that you decide on, as specific dates may vary.

Note that any student in a public school in Portugal (between pre-school and year nine) whose mother tongue is not Portuguese can receive one-on-one language support, should they need it. This is a bonus for foreigners looking to move to Portugal and send their children to a public school, many of which offer an excellent standard of education.

If you are more interested in international schools in Portugal that teach a particular program, such as the International Baccalaureate, you can use the International Baccalaureate Organization website to find American international schools, German schools, and other schools in your area offering the IB curriculum.

Public Education in Portugal

Many teachers in Portugal have an excellent command of English. However, the public curriculum is taught in Portuguese. While this may be difficult for non-native Portuguese speakers, there are plenty of resources available to help children overcome the language barrier and support them in their language-learning process. If you choose to send your child to a public school, they will no doubt become bilingual and will quickly give you a run for your money with their Portuguese-speaking skills.

The general documents that you will need to present for your child to enroll in a public school in Portugal are the following:

• Completed enrollment form, provided to you by the school
• Your child’s ID or birth certificate
• One photograph of the child
• Medical records and your child’s immunization records (boletim de vacinas)

Note that some schools may require additional documents and have additional criteria. Ultimately, the public Portuguese schooling system may not be for everyone, and many residents choose to send their children to other school systems — a private or international school.

Private and International Schools in Portugal

There are several private and international schools in Portugal, but most of them are clustered in Lisbon, the Greater Lisbon Area, Porto, and the Algarve. International schools operate on paid tuition and fees. Many new residents opt for private schools, with some of the advantages being smaller class sizes, many extracurricular activities, and more modern facilities.

Private and international secondary schools in Portugal

There are different kinds of private schools in Portugal that you can pick from if you want your children to attend this type of school. These include private Portuguese ssinternational schools such as British schools offering an international curriculum or British curriculum, religious and boarding schools, and international schools that offer North American style education.

There are several international schools in Portugal, especially in the regions of the country, favored by expats. These institutions offer a multicultural setting that enables students to develop global competencies, interact with various cultures, and gain significant language proficiency.

If a parent prefers that their child studies in their native language or the curriculum of a specific country, they can choose from British international schools, American international schools, French international schools, or German schools, with some schools offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The average tuition fee for an international school in Portugal is approximately €800 per month. Tuition costs range from a minimum of €400 to a maximum of €1,800 per month, although each school will have its own fees.

Religious schools in Portugal

There are a lot of Catholic secondary schools in Portugal where pupils learn some religious courses in addition to the core curriculum. Religious schools are popular with parents because they offer more extracurricular activities and often perform better in annual tests (in Portuguese).

Some schools offer to teach in English as well, and International Baccalaureate (IB) diplomas are an option for graduates in some schools. The annual cost of tuition is usually between €2,500 and €10,000.

Boarding schools in Portugal

Few boarding schools and academies exist in Portugal, and those that do tend to be located around Lisbon and the Algarve. Since annual tuition is normally approximately €30,000, it is recommended to visit the school to familiarize yourself with the campus and the curriculum before applying. While boarding academies are still in their infancy in Portugal, more schools are exploring this opportunity.

Private and international schools: Admission requirements

Private and international schools in Portugal can sometimes have strict admission processes. It’s worth checking with the school that you are interested in about their procedure, but most will have the documents for admission on their website.

You will typically need to provide the following documents:

• 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 require an entrance exam and past school records, and many will ask for a personal interview with the student.

Many parents choose international and private schools, confident that their children will have a world-class education where they can compete with their peers so they are best prepared for university and further education.

Tuition fees for private prep schools

Independent schools can be quite costly and will vary from school to school. On average, you can expect to pay between €400 – €500 each month, from primary school to high school level. There are also enrollment fees to consider, which will be around €300 per year, and books can cost up to €300, an extra factor to keep in mind.

Tuition fees for international schools

Tuition fees for international schools in Portugal will vary. To provide you with some indication of the price that you may need to pay, monthly fees are usually around €800 per month (the minimum that you would pay is €400), and prices can reach as high as €1,800 per month.

For many of these schools, you will pay a nonrefundable fee for submitting the application, which is usually between €30 and €70. Also, there is an annual enrollment fee of between €200 and €500 and additional costs for books, school supplies, and possibly a school uniform, depending on the school that you opt for.

The Best International Schools in Portugal

Since international schools in Portugal adhere to international educational standards and quality curricula, they are good choices for expats. You’ll find that international schools in Portugal for foreigners follow a range of different curricula, including curricula from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. Some international schools in Portugal adhere to IB standards, whose main emphasis is on teaching critical and independent thinking as well as nurturing international students’ curiosity and helping them solve complex problems.

Why international schools are an excellent option for expat families?

International schools can be a smart move to help your children get to grips with moving to a new country. As Nathalie Willis-Davies, Founder and Managing Director at Tendoria, states in our live session on International Schools in Portugal (you can check it out in the video above), “International schools typically offer a wider range of extracurricular activities than local schools do. This allows children to explore their interests and develop their skills beyond the classroom.”

Willis Davis points out that international schools can make life much easier for your child or children, “An international school is really a softer landing for families relocating to Portugal, especially for children aged 12 plus, who will need more time to learn Portuguese than their younger counterparts. And international schools offer an international setting, meaning that the students have come from different backgrounds, and that makes it sometimes makes it easier to integrate and make friends.”

Some very good international schools are shown below. If you are looking for an American school in Portugal, there are also excellent options, such as the International Christian School of Cascais, which provides an American style of teaching.

In Lisbon and the surrounding area

Some options for international schools in Lisbon and the surrounding area are:

• United Lisbon International School: The modern United Lisbon International School opened its doors in 2021 and is situated next to Parque das Nações. The school provides academic programs in English that are based on US standards (NEASC).
• British School of Lisbon: The British School of Lisbon teaches students from the ages of three to 14 years old and uses the British curriculum, with English as the language of education. The annual tuition is between €11,300 to €14,535.
• Greene’s College Oxford: The school in Estroil provides personalized learning and is led by excellent tutors and qualified staff. Students at the college learn by doing, with a focus on debating things in class, thanks to the tutorial method of learning. Students are taught in small groups in this school.
• International Christian School of Cascais: This is an international Christian school founded in 1982. The school is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International, and it offers an American teaching methodology. There are also other international schools in Cascais to explore.
• St Julian’s School: The school was established in 1932 and, situated in Carcavelos, in the greater Lisbon area, it is the largest British International School in Portugal. It offers IB, international, British, and bilingual curricula, with English and Portuguese languages.
• Carlucci American International School of Lisbon: A major benefit of the Carlucci American International School is that it is located between Sintra and Cascais and is also just a 20-minute drive from the center of Lisbon. There is easy access to Carcavelos, Oeiras, Estoril, Cascais, Mafra, and Sintra as well.
• International Preparatory (IPS) School: This is an elementary school established 25 years ago for students aged three to 12. IPS prides itself on giving attention to each student’s needs, something the school has become very famous for.
• PaRK International School: The school joined the Changemakers School Network in 2017, a group of international schools dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through cooperation and empathy education. Park International School is also recognized by ECIS (The Educational Collaborative for International Schools) and the Cambridge Schools Network.
• St Peter’s School: This school offers the IB curriculum in secondary school, preparing students for tertiary education.
• German School of Lisbon: The German School of Lisbon (Deutsche Schule Lissabon) provides kindergarten, primary school, and secondary education, making it ideal for native German speakers.
• St Dominic’s International School: The school is run by Veritas Education, SA, and it also grants the International Baccalaureate diploma.

International schools in Porto

The options below are a few great options to consider if you are looking into relocating to Portugal’s second-largest city and are interested in finding the top international schools in Porto.

• CLIP Oporto International School: As one of the best international schools in Portugal, CLIP Oporto International School caters to students at primary school, middle school, and upper school levels. The international school offers a curriculum based on the English National Curriculum.
• Oporto British School: Renowned for being the oldest British school in Portugal, Oporto British School is an international sharing school based in Foz do Duoro, Porto, and offers an international primary curriculum from early year stages through to secondary school, following the British curriculum, and preparing students with the best personal and professional development.
• Lycée Français International de Porto – LFIP: Lycée Français International de Porto is an innovative international sharing school offering students at kindergarten, elementary, high school, and college level a multilingual education that is focused on critical and independent thinking.
• Deutsche Schule zu Porto: As the second oldest German school in Portugal, Deutsche Schule zu Porto offers a multilingual education to students at kindergarten, primary school, and high school levels.

International schools in the Algarve

Some options for international schools in the Algarve are:

• Nobel International School Algarve: One of the oldest schools in southern Portugal, the Nobel International School Algarve provides a range of academic programs for children aged between three and 18 years old. It is close to Carvoeiro and situated between Portimão and Albufeira.
• Vale Verde International School: Situated in the Algarve, the school was established in 2002 and educates children from the ages of three to 18 years old, adhering to the British curriculum.
• Colegio Santiago Internacional: The school teaches children in English and Portuguese and follows the British curriculum. It is located in the center of Tavira.
• CIV Vilamoura International School: Children from the ages of three to 18 can enroll in a comprehensive educational program at this international school in Vilamoura.
• Aljezur International School: Located on the western coast of the Algarve, Aljezur International School is an international preparatory school offering an innovative version of the UK national curriculum in an inclusive and supportive environment.

 

Do I choose the property or school first?

It can be difficult to strike the right balance between choosing your ideal home and the top school option for your children. You will need to ask yourself questions, such as: How long am I willing to commute? How much do I want to pay for the property? Is this neighborhood somewhere I see myself bringing up my children? This can lead to the question of whether you ought to choose the property or school first when relocating to Portugal.

Gonçalo Peixoto, Head of Real Estate at Goldcrest, mentions in our live session that there is no one right answer here; “It really depends on the family. For example, the child age and grade for younger children, the proximity to the school may be a higher priority. Older children might be able to handle longer commutes. You can also look at the school availability and the admission charge criteria. Some schools have limited spots or specific enrollment requirements. So ensuring a place for your kid before settling on a property can avoid disappointment on this side.” 

He also stresses the importance of family matters, “For some families, they want to live in a calm area and not in the center of the city. And, although the college or the school that they choose is in the middle of the city, they might choose to drive the kids there or have a driver to take the kids to school. Also, the budget plays a very big part in this decision. Some of these schools are located in high-pressure areas, so properties in those locations will require a higher budget to secure, and that will have a big effect on the decision. Or if you have small kids and are working a lot, it is really important for parents to pick a school closer to them […]. In wider Lisbon, the distance for commuting isn’t that big, so it’s feasible.”

You’ll want to strike the balance between choosing the home or school first and consider how far your willing to commute, property prices, and quality of life. This will ultimately impact your decision.

Post-Secondary Education in Portugal

Post-secondary education in Portugal is well-known worldwide, with many international students choosing to study at one of the top universities in Portugal. The University of Lisbon ranks as the highest in the country, according to the QS World University Rankings in 2024. In Lisbon, Universidade NOVA, Catolica University, ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon, and Técnico Lisboa are very well-regarded universities.

Portugal is also home to many reputable polytechnics, which enable students to focus on a specific career path.

While some subjects are only offered by either a university or polytechnic institute, there is considerable overlap, with both universities and polytechnics providing degrees in subjects such as management, engineering, and the humanities.

Most courses at the bachelor’s level are taught in Portuguese. However, there are several English language programs that exist at the graduate level, and many courses at the master’s level are taught in English.

Graduating in Portugal

The University of Lisbon is the first-ranked university in the country out of the three that are included in the QS World University Rankings 2024. The other two highest-ranking universities are the University of Porto and the University of Coimbra.

Portugal’s tertiary schooling system is separated into two components:

1. Universities that offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. These university education institutions concentrate on theoretical education and research.
2. Polytechnic institutions in Portugal that provide undergraduate and graduate degree options offering education and training in particular subjects.