Choosing the Best International Schools in Portugal: All the Details

If you are considering moving to Portugal or already have, choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions that you will make.

Their education will develop their skills, allow them to form lifelong friendships, and set them up for life’s challenges. Thankfully, Portugal has an excellent education system, spanning a vast array of top-quality international schools.

But even so, deciding on which school your child should go to is difficult. In this guide, you’ll find out everything you need to know about the education system in Portugal and the schools available.

You’ll also learn more about:

Portugal’s education system

Take-a-look-at-the-international-school-guide

Portugal’s Education System

Portugal’s families have access to a high-quality education system. Within this system are three main options:

public schools
private schools that teach the Portuguese curriculum
international schools that teach English, French, or other curricula, often along with Portuguese.

There are pros and cons to each of these, but expats moving to Portugal often have different needs when compared with families who have been in Portugal for a while. That’s where international schools come in.

As Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions, explains, choosing the right school is crucial.

“Throughout their lives, there are some difficult decisions you will have to make for your child/children. However, choosing a suitable school is arguably one of the most important.”

International schools may be the perfect option for people who plan to raise their children in a global setting.

Nathalie Willis-Davis, Founder & Educational Consultant at Tendoria, explains that Portugal has experienced an…

“exponential increase in the number of international schools. Families now have more opportunities to find a school that best matches their educational goals and needs, and schools are energized to push their offerings to the next level by investing in facilities and professional development.”

Some top tips to consider from Nathalie:

Begin the search as early as possible, as places can fill up fast
Make sure you understand the curriculum options and how they will impact your child’s learning
Visit as many schools as possible that you are interested in, as this is the best way to get a feel for them
Apply to at least three schools; it is best to hedge your bets
Bear in mind that what works for one family may not work for you
Seek professional assistance to discover the schools that best match your expectations and educational goals

Best International Schools in Lisbon

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British School of Lisbon

The British School of Lisbon is a fairly new school in Cais do Sodré that was founded in 2019. This English-language school teaches children from the ages of three to 14.

The British School is chartered by The Schools Trust, a UK-registered international school trust responsible for developing international schools worldwide.

Curriculum: British
Educational language: English
Tuition: Є11,300 to Є14,535 per year
Address: Rua de S. Paulo, n.o 89, 1200-427 – Lisboa

Oeiras International School

Oeiras International School focuses on science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. It follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum and is open to students from the ages of six to 19. The school’s key values are integrity, respect, commitment, growth, and personal challenge.

Curriculum: IB
Educational language: English
Tuition: €10,550 to €18,060 per year
Address: R. Antero de Quental, n.o 7, 2730-013 – Oeiras

Redbridge School

Redbridge School is an elementary school in the Campo de Ourique neighborhood. The school focuses on creativity and an international mindset, and teaching is done in a multilingual (English and French) environment.

Redbridge School focuses on providing a creative approach to learning, digital literacy, and a connection to the community.

Curriculum: IB, Portuguese, and French Curriculum
Educational language: English and French
Tuition: €7,572 to €11,150 per year
Address: R. Francisco Metrass, n.o 97, 1350-165 Campo de Ourique – Lisboa

Lycée Français Charles Lepierre de Lisbonne

Lycée Français Charles Lepierre is a French international school in Lisbon. The Lycée accepts students from the ages of three to 18 years old and offers children the opportunity to learn English and Portuguese.

Curriculum: French
Educational language: English and French
Tuition: €4,710 to €6,510 per year
Address: Avenida Eng. Duarte Pacheco, no 32, 1070-112 Campolide – Lisboa

Deutsche Schule Lissabon

Founded in 1899, the Deutsche Schule Lissabon (DSL) is one of the oldest German schools outside Germany. This German international school serves kindergarten, primary, and secondary students.

The DSL considers bilingualism and multicultural exchange to be essential conditions and fundamental goals of their work.

In addition to the main campus in Lisbon, there is also a campus in Estoril.

Curriculum: German
Educational language: German
Tuition: €6,900 to €7,830 per year
Address: Largo Willy Brandt DSL, 1600-891 – Lumiar. If you are looking for student health insurance, take a look at HCCMIS Student Insurance.

Best International Schools Near Cascais and Sintra

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IPS Cascais

IPS Cascais is a primary school for children aged three to 12 that has been teaching children since 1982. Its students and teachers are multinational, and the school focuses on global understanding.

Curriculum: British
Educational language: English, Dutch, and Portuguese
Tuition: €9,200 to €13,400 per year
Address: Rua da Lagoa, n.o 171, 2645-344 Alcabideche – Bicesse

St. Julian’s School

Founded in 1932, St. Julian’s School is Portugal’s largest British international school. It has a strong record of academic achievement. This nondenominational, co-ed school teaches children from ages three to 15.

It aims to promote excellence, academic achievement, and intellectual curiosity.

Curriculum: IB, a bilingual curriculum of English and Portuguese
Educational language: English, German, French, and Portuguese
Tuition: €10,740 to €25,260 per year
Address: Quinta Nova – Av. Jorge V, 2775-588 – Carcavelos

International Christian School of Cascais

The International Christian School of Cascais offers a North American-style education. It’s a non-profit that serves the Christian missionary community and other expats in Portugal.

Curriculum: American
Educational language: English
Tuition: This school does not make its fees public
Address: Av. de Sintra 1154, 2755-322 – Cascais

St. Dominic’s International School

St. Dominic’s International School is a highly respected and well-known international school that emphasizes the arts, sports, and community service.

Curriculum: IB
Educational language: English
Tuition: Є10,500 to €19,200
Address: R. Maria Brown, n.o 311A, 2785-816 São Domingos de Rana – Cascais

Carlucci American International School of Lisbon

While it’s called the Carlucci American International School of Lisbon, this school is actually in nearby Sintra. The school works in cooperation with other American international schools and with the US Department of State.

It adopts and adapts the Common Core curriculum for English and math and Next Generation Science Standards for science.

Curriculum: American
Educational language: English and Portuguese
Tuition: Є9,144 to €19,372 per year
Address: Rua António Dos Reis, n.o 95, 2710-301 – Sintra

Best International Schools in Porto

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CLIP Oporto International School

The International College of Oporto (CLIP) offers a curriculum that connects physical, personal, and social development with academic discipline.

Curriculum: British
Educational language: English
Tuition: €7,585 to €10,945 per year
Address: Rua de Vila Nova, n.o 1071, 4100-506 – Porto

Lycée Français International de Porto – LFIP

Lycée Français International is located in the leafy green Parque Serralves. It’s part of the worldwide network of AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad), which is in line with the education standards of France’s Minister of Education.

Curriculum: French
Educational language: French
Tuition: €4,703 to €5,460 per year
Address: R. Gil Eanes 21, 4150-348 – Porto

Best International Schools in the Algarve

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Nobel Algarve British International School

The Nobel International School Algarve is the oldest private school in southern Portugal. It offers a range of programs for students ages three to 18.

This unique setting promotes common experiences, friendship, and trust. The Nobel Algarve British International School has two excellent campuses, a flagship Eco-school in Lagoa and a state-of-the-art campus in Almancil that opened in 2020.

Curriculum: British and Portuguese
Educational language: English
Tuition: Є4,884 to €16,720 per year
Address: Barros Brancos, EN125, 8400-400 – Lagoa

Vale Verde International School

Vale Verde International School offers education to an international student body based on sound values and high expectations. The school was established in 2002 and achieved excellent pass rates for students in all subjects in exams.

Curriculum: British
Educational language: English and Portuguese
Tuition: Є6,096 to €10,800 per year
Address: Alagoas, Estrada do Burgau, 8600-120 Luz – Lagos Life in the Algarve is amazing. Read all about Living in the Algarve.

Best International Schools in Madeira

International School of Madeira

The International School of Madeira is a primary school that prepares students to go on to secondary school and higher education. It’s open to kids from the ages of four to ten and offers immersive English-language classes.

Curriculum: British and Portuguese
Educational language: English and Portuguese
Tuition: €2,750 to €3,300 per year
Address: Calçada do Pico 5, 9000-206 Funchal – Madeira

With a holistic curriculum and a multicultural and multilingual approach to education, the International Sharing School provides a safe and empowering learning environment where students are encouraged to be their best.

Curriculum: IB
Educational language: English, Spanish, French, German
Tuition: €4,950 to €10,945 per year
Address: Caminho dos Saltos, n.o 6, 9050-219, Funchal – Madeira

Frequently Asked Questions

International schools can be found all over Portugal. Depending on the school, courses are offered in English, French, Portuguese, or German. Many offer international courses of study like the International Baccalaureate (IB).

There are public and private higher education institutions throughout the country, offering a wide range of educational options for students seeking a university or college experience.

International schools in Cascais include IPS Cascais, St. Julian’s School, the International School of Cascais, St. Dominic’s International School, and the Carlucci American International School of Lisbon.

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I'm a freelance copywriter and free-spirited traveller from Australia. I fell in love with Portugal when I arrived here and hope to share with you all the reasons why.

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Portugal’s Education System