International schools in Portugal
When deciding to move to Portugal with your family, one of the first things to consider is where to enrol your children. For a better adaptation, you should consider choosing one of the many quality international schools in Portugal to enrol them.
As your own family is not Portuguese, the national education might be a bit different from what your children are used to. But how to start looking for a good international education in Portugal?
To help expatriate families like ours, we’ve done extensive research. Find here in this complete article all the best international schools in Portugal. Compare, visit the institutions’ websites and get closer to a good decision. Your children will thank you!
International Schools in Portugal: where to enrol your ex-pat children
The best international schools in Portugal
There are many great international schools in Portugal, but some have caught the attention of ex-pat parents. Here are arguably the 5 best international schools:
Luso-French school of Porto
St. Peter’s School
Park International School
British School Porto
Nobel International School of Algarve
As Portugal attracts foreigners to all of its different regions, there are international schools all over the country.
International schools in Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and also the biggest city in the country. Living in Lisbon, you’ll find the largest concentration of international schools in Portugal.
The British School of Lisbon
Founded in 2019, the British School of Lisbon is among the newest in the network of a British non-profit organization. It is one of the international schools with the greatest excellence in teaching for children in Portugal.
Location: Central Lisbon
Ages: 3 to 10
Curriculum: English
Languages of instruction: National Curriculum of England
Annual Fees: from €10,815 to €13,440
Park International School
One of the most known and comprehensive international education groups in Lisbon is the Park International School. With locations all over the Lisbon district and a curriculum that evolves with the student throughout life, it is one of the main teaching options in the city.
Locations: Alfragide, Cascais, Praça de Espanha, Restelo
Ages: 1 to 18
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB) IGCSE Program
Languages of instruction: English and Portuguese
Annual Fees: from €6,276 to €15,951
German School of Lisbon
The German School of Lisbon is known for its quality and tradition. Founded in 1848, it’s the second-oldest German school abroad, teaching in German and in Portuguese.
Location: Central Lisbon and Estoril
Ages: 1 to 18
Curriculum: German
Languages of instruction: German and Portuguese
Annual Fees: €6,700 to €6,880
Lycée Français Charles Lepierre
Also known as the French High School Charles Lepierre, this is one of the best francophone schools in Portugal.
Location: Central Lisbon
Age: 1 to 18
Curriculum: The French National Curriculum
Languages of instruction: French and Portuguese
Annual Fees: €4,485 to €6,200
International Sharing School Taguspark
The International Sharing School in Lisbon is located in Portugal’s first and most innovative science and technology park, Taguspark.
Location: Central Lisbon
Ages: 1 to 18
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP);
Languages of instruction: English
Annual Fees: not public
International Preparatory School
Another renowned early childhood school in Lisbon is the International Preparatory School (IPS). Besides primary education of quality, the British institution also holds a nursery.
Location: Alcabideche
Ages: 1 to 11
Curriculum: National Curriculum of England
Languages of instruction: English
Annual Fees: €9,000 to €12,855
Saint Dominic’s International School
Saint Dominic’s International School is one of the most traditional private schools in the Lisbon area. What started as an Irish school for girls in 1954, became one of the city’s most prestigious educational institutions in Portugal.
Location: Cascais
Ages: 3 to 18
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP)
Languages of instruction: English
Annual Fees: €10,500 to €19,200
Oeiras International School
Located in a suburb of Lisbon, Oeiras International School is a great choice of school for ex-pat families in Portugal. It stands out from other schools for its big land with its own farm, encouraging students to have contact with nature.
Location: Oeiras
Ages: 6 to 18
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP)
Languages of instruction: English
Annual Fees: €10,250 to €14,210
Carlucci American International School of Lisbon
If you are looking for American education in Portugal, this is a top choice. Carlucci American International School of Lisbon offers quality international education for children of all ages in Sintra, only a few minutes away from Cascais and Lisbon.
Location: Sintra
Ages: 3 to 18
Curriculum: American Curriculum and International Baccalaureate (IB)
Languages of instruction: English
Annual Fees: 8,920€ to 18,900€
International Christian School of Cascais
Located near Sintra and Oeiras, the International Christian School of Cascais is an international school dedicated to also teach Spiritual values in their curriculum. It and offers a North-American Curriculum to students of 25 different nationalities.
Location: Cascais
Ages: 3 to 18
Curriculum: American Curriculum and International Baccalaureate (IB)
Languages of instruction: English
Annual Fees: not public
St Julian’s School
St. Julian’s School is one of the most famous and traditional schools in Lisbon. The British educational institution is located in an old Portuguese estate near Carcavelos, offering high-quality education since 1932.
Location: Carcavelos
Ages: 3 to 18
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB), National Curriculum of England and Portuguese National Curriculum
Languages of instruction: English and Portuguese
Annual Fees: €9,936 to €23,010
Prime School International
One of the few educational institutions in Portugal with a Cambridge Curriculum is Prime School International. With a campus in Sintra and another in Estoril, the school is a favourite for British ex-pats in the country.
Location: Sintra and Estoril
Ages: 3 to 18
Curriculum: Cambridge Curriculum
Languages of instruction: English and Portuguese
Annual Fees: €7,990 to €16,500
International schools in Setúbal
The region of Setúbal, located south bank of the Tagus river, is just 30 minutes away from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. It benefits from a good location, good climate, and lower cost of living.
International schools in Setubal.
St. Peter’s International School
Founded in 1993, St. Peter’s International School is one of the most distinguished private schools in Portugal. It is located near Setúbal, and offers high-quality education with lessons in English and Portuguese to all ages.
Location: Palmela
Ages: 4 to 18
Curriculum: Portuguese National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
Languages of instruction: English and Portuguese
Annual Fees: Not public
International School of Palmela
The International School of Palmela is another great choice of school in Portugal. It stands out from others for being the only educational institution that also offers an Islamic Curriculum, besides the Cambridge Curriculum.
Location: Palmela
Ages: 5 to 18
Curriculum: Cambridge Curriculum and Islamic Curriculum
Languages of instruction: English
Annual Fees: Not public
Seixal International School
If you’re looking for a Bilingual school in Setúbal with expertise in young learners, Seixal International School is the right choice. The school is small and welcoming, encouraging communication between students of all nationalities.
Location: Seixal
Ages: 3 to 10
Curriculum: Portuguese National Curriculum and International Baccalaureate (IB)
Languages of instruction: English and Portuguese
Annual Fees: Not public
International schools in Porto
Porto is a Portuguese city located in the north of the country, known for its beauty and diverse business atmosphere. As the second-biggest urban centre of Portugal, living in Porto is also a top choice for ex-pats.
International schools in Porto
Lycée Français International Porto
One of the most renowned schools in Portugal is also a favourite of the French ex-pats. The Lycée Français International Porto is a French school located near Foz in Porto, it offers quality education to children and teenagers.
Location: Porto
Ages: 3 to 18
Curriculum: The French National Curriculum
Languages of instruction: French
Annual Fees: €4,588 to €5,326
The Oporto British School
The Oporto British School is one of the most traditional international schools in Portugal. Founded in 1894, it is also a teaching reference in the country.
Location: Porto
Ages: 3 to 18
Curriculum: National Curriculum of England and International Baccalaureate (IB)
Languages of instruction: English
Annual Fees: €7,265 to €12,420
CLIP Oporto International School
Also known as the Colégio Luso Internacional do Porto (CLIP), the Oporto International School is another great option to enrol your ex-pat children. The private international school offers many extracurricular activities and has a strong student community.
Location: Porto
Ages: 3 to 18
Curriculum: National Curriculum of England
Languages of instruction: English
Annual Fees: €6,912 to €10,175
German School of Oporto
The German School of Oporto or Deutsche Schule zu Porto offers education according to the German Curriculum in both Portuguese and German. Despite being a school with over 120 years of operation, it has modern and up-to-date education in the city of Porto.
Location: Porto
Ages: 3 to 18
Curriculum: German Curriculum
Languages of instruction: German and Portuguese
Annual Fees: €4,424 to €5,098
International schools in the Algarve
The Algarve region, located in the extreme south of Portugal, is home to the biggest expatriate community in the country. More than 20% of the population living in the Algarve is made by foreigners, attracted by the great weather, quality of life, and stunning settings. Besides Portuguese, English is widely spoken in the Algarve, as well as German and French.
International schools in the Algarve Portugal
Nobel International School Algarve
The Nobel International School is one of the most famous schools in the Algarve. Besides the school campus in Lagoa and Almancil, the institution also holds a Boarding House nearby. Students get to live in a stunning location, facing the ocean on top of a cliff.
Location: Lagoa and Almancil
Ages: 3 to 18
Curriculum: National Curriculum of England and Portuguese National Curriculum
Languages of instruction: English and Portuguese
Annual Fees: €4.650 to €12,300
Vilamoura International School
Another interesting choice of educational institution in the Algarve is the Vilamoura International School, located near the city of Loulé. Founded in 1984, the private school has been recognized for its quality all over Portugal.
Location: Vilamoura
Ages: 3 to 18
Curriculum: International Cambridge Curriculum and Portuguese National Curriculum
Languages of instruction: English and Portuguese
Annual Fees: €5,550 to €10,650
Aljezur International School and Barlavento International Primary School
Located in the western area of the Algarve region, the Aljezur International School and the Barlavento International Primary School are part of the same group. The schools hold a positive approach to behaviour, encouraging independence. Also, the schools emphasize the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility in their curriculum. A great way to enjoy the surroundings of Aljezur.
Location: Aljezur
Ages: 3 to 18
Curriculum: Early years foundation stage (EYFS), National Curriculum of England
Languages of instruction: English
Annual Fees: €6,300 to €6,600
Colégio Santiago Internacional
Providing quality English education in the Eastern Algarve is the Colégio Santiago Internacional. The school was founded in 2012 and built in an XV century building in the center of Tavira. It is one of the Algarve’s most renowned international schools.
Location: Tavira
Ages: 5 to 18
Curriculum: National Curriculum of England
Languages of instruction: English and Portuguese
Annual Fees: €4,300 to €6,745
Eupheus International School
The Eupheus International School of Algarve is one of the first international Pre-Schools and Primary Schools in the Algarve. It offers excellence in education to young children and is also a favorite for the many British expatriates in the region.
Location: Loulé
Ages: 3 to 14
Curriculum: Early years foundation stage (EYFS), Cambridge Assessment International Education and National Curriculum of England
Languages of instruction: English
Annual Fees: €6,000 to €13,000
Vale Verde International School
Located in the Western Algarve, near the city of Lagos, is Vale Verde International School. Besides being an international educational institution, the school is bilingual and promotes innovative teaching methods.
Location: Burgau
Ages: 5 to 18
Curriculum: National Curriculum of England
Languages of instruction: English and Portuguese
Annual Fees: €5,850 to €10,800
Eden Montessori International School
The Eden Montessori International School is the only international school offering a Montessori curriculum to young children in the Algarve region. The staff is made up of both Portuguese and English, and the location is central, near the famous city of Albufeira.
Location: Albufeira
Ages: 3 to 9
Curriculum: Montessori
Languages of instruction: English and Portuguese
Annual Fees: Not public
International schools in central Portugal
The central region of Portugal corresponds to the coastal area between Lisbon and Porto. Although less known to foreigners, it’s also a very well-developed region with high-quality education.
International schools in Central Portugal
Colégio S. José
With unique educational curricula in the country, Colégio S. José is a bilingual international school located in the historical city of Coimbra. It is also a Catholic school that focuses on enabling young children to develop their personalities actively.
Location: Coimbra
Ages: 3 to 12
Curriculum: Clonlara School Philosophy and VOAR Portuguese Program
Languages of instruction: English and Portuguese
Annual Fees: €4,498 to €5,048
St. Paul’s School
With a cosmopolitan and diverse vision, the St. Paul’s School in Coimbra is one of the most distinguished international schools in Portugal. Not only offers high-quality education, but also stimulates the learning of languages in their curriculum. Students in St. Paul’s study English, Portuguese and Latin, while they can still choose to do French and German.
Location: Coimbra
Ages: 3 to 13
Curriculum: International Cambridge Curriculum
Languages of instruction: English and Portuguese
Annual Fees: Not public
CLIC – Center for Luso-International College
The Center for Luso-International College is the only international school in Leiria, a city located near Fátima in central Portugal. Also known as CLIC, the school embraces students of all ages, from preschool to upper school, in both English and Portuguese.
Location: Leiria
Ages: 3 to 18
Curriculum: IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and Portuguese National Curriculum
Languages of instruction: English and Portuguese
Annual Fees: €4,440 to €7,860
International schools in the Madeira Island
One of Portugal’s most beautiful islands is also home to thousands of expatriates. Thankfully, there are also good options of international schools in the area to serve both the locals and the foreigners living in Madeira.
International schools in Madeira island Portugal
International School of Madeira
The International School of Madeira is the first of its kind on the Portuguese island, providing children with a quality education in English and Portuguese in an environment that promotes diversity.
Location: Funchal
Ages: 3 to 10
Curriculum: National Curriculum of England and Portuguese National Curriculum
Languages of instruction: English and Portuguese
Annual Fees: €3,000 to €3,960
International Sharing School of Madeira
With the same quality as the group’s other school in Lisbon, the International Sharing School of Madeira is a modern institution with an innovative atmosphere. Learning languages is an important part of the school’s culture, and students finish their studies speaking at least five of the seven languages offered.
Location: Funchal
Ages: 3 to 16
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
Languages of instruction: English
Annual Fees: Not public
When does the school year start in Portugal?
Like most countries in the Northern Hemisphere, the school year for schools in Portugal starts in September and ends in June.
The biggest vacation period is in the summer months, especially in July and August. There are also Easter and Christmas holidays, besides the various holidays throughout the year, many related to Christianity.
Why choose these schools over the public education in Portugal?
Although public education in Portugal is considered of quality according to European standards, it does not offer education in a language other than Portuguese. Which is completely understandable.
However, if your children do not speak Portuguese, enrolling them in a Portuguese school could impair their performance in studies. Not to mention the need, especially for younger people, to make new friends and adapt better to the new country.
So choosing to enrol your ex-pat children in one of the many international schools in Portugal gives them a better chance to a better experience.
What about higher education?
If you’re interested in investing in college education in Portugal, know that there are great options for universities in the country.
Here is a list of the 10 best universities in Portugal according to different International Rankings as shown by Masters Portugal:
The Catholic University of Portugal
University Nova de Lisboa
University of Porto
University of Lisbon
ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon
University of Aveiro
University of Beira Interior
University of Coimbra
University of Algarve
University of Minho
The academic years in Portugal start in September and, in most cases, undergraduate courses last for 3 years. Tuition fees for international students vary by university and course, ranging from €2,000 to €10,000 per year.
Article by Viv Europe - Official Legal and Relocation partner to KipperTree.
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