Best international schools in Portugal: A guide for expats with children

Portugal is one of Europe’s top destinations for international education. It has over 70 international schools spread across Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, and Madeira.

Choosing the best institute for your child can be hard if you have so many options and recommendations. Every parent wants a school that offers the perfect mix of academics, extracurriculars, and learning environment.

In this article, we’ll discuss the best international schools in Portugal for children of all ages. We’ll also share each school’s pricing, facilities, and academic system, so you can make an informed decision.

Key takeaways

• Portugal has over 70 international schools across Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, and Madeira.

• Families can choose from British, American, IB, French, German, or Montessori systems.

• English-speaking schools in Portugal are widely available, especially in major cities.

• Annual tuition for international schools typically ranges from €6,000 to €26,000.

• Public schools in Portugal are tuition-free and follow the national curriculum in Portuguese.

• Many international schools offer bilingual programmes blending Portuguese and English.

• Schools like St. Julian’s, CAISL, TASIS, and Prime School are among the most reputable.

• Portugal supports inclusive education for students with special learning needs.

• Expat families can enroll children using residence proof, NIF, ID, and health records.

• Touchdown helps expats handle relocation, legal paperwork, and school readiness.

Best schools in Portugal

Here are the best international schools Portugal has to offer, with different learning environments, teaching languages, and academic programmes.

English-speaking schools in Portugal

The following are the international schools Portugal provides for children of all levels:

Prime School

Prime School is an international school for students aged 3 up to 18 years old. It operates across three campuses in the Lisbon area: 

• Alvalade for all age groups

• Estoril for secondary and advanced students

• Sintra for younger and lower secondary students

The school follows the Cambridge International curriculum (IGCSE, A-Levels) and also offers technical/vocational (BTEC) programmes for older students. Classes are taught in English, with a bilingual pathway option in Portuguese and English.

Prime School is known for its modern facilities and extra opportunities, such as small class sizes and ISO 9001 quality certification. 

Prime School's yearly fees can range from €10,470 to €19,280, depending on the level of education.

Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL)

Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL) is located in Linhó, Sintra. It serves students from age 3 through grade 12.

CAISL offers an American curriculum leading to a U.S. High School Diploma. You can also opt for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in upper grades. 

All classes are taught in English, while Portuguese is taught as a native or foreign language, depending on the students' background. 

For the 2025-2026 school year, tuition ranges from €11,716 up to €22,736.

CJD International School

CJD International School is located in Porto, Portugal, which is an international division opened in the 2023/2024 academic year. The school is widely known for being one of the oldest private national schools in Portugal.

The international wing offers the Cambridge International curriculum from Primary 1 up to A-Level. Its academic provision spans from nursery or creche through secondary school.

If you prefer a national school, your kids will have to study the Portuguese curriculum, which is taught in Portuguese.

The annual fee for the CDJ International School is between €9,300 and €11,000.

The Oporto International School

The Oporto International School (CLIP) is located in Porto. It is made for students from Pre-Kindergarten through Form 12. It offers a curriculum based on the National Curriculum for England, adapted to meet its pedagogical goals and the local context.

CLIP blends academics, arts, sports, and community engagement. It focuses on nurturing students to think critically and act responsibly.

The yearly tuition at CLIP ranges from €8,600 to €14,700, depending on the student’s grade level.

St. Julian’s School

St. Julian’s School is a coeducational international school located in Carcavelos, near Lisbon. It serves students from age 3 up to 18. 

The school offers a British curriculum (IGCSE) in its English section, and the IB Diploma Programme in its upper years. It also has a bilingual section (English and Portuguese) from Primary to Secondary levels.

Its campus features an 18th-century palace, gardens, woodland, sports fields, specialised rooms, and continual development projects to modernise facilities.

The tuition fee of St. Julian’s School can range from €12,384 to €29,097 annually. 

TASIS Portugal

TASIS Portugal is an international school offering education from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. It is located in Sintra, near Lisbon, Portugal.

The school follows a curriculum that includes IGCSE and IB Diploma Programme elements. TASIS Portugal is widely recognised for its modern campus facilities, including theatres, libraries, and athletics fields.

TASIS Portugal's yearly tuition fees are between €12,390 and €23,160, depending on the grade level.

British School of Lisbon

The British School of Lisbon (BSL) is a British international school in Lisbon, operated under The Schools Trust. 

The school follows the English National Curriculum while also weaving in Portuguese language and cultural studies to reflect its local context.

For the 2025/26 year, BSL fees run from €13,110 up to €21,375, depending on the student’s grade and whether it is their first year.

Aljezur International School

Aljezur International School is located near Aljezur in the western Algarve. It offers secondary education (ages roughly 11 to 18) with the Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level curriculum.

The school is known for small class sizes, strong individual attention, and a focus on sustainability, community, and cross-curricular learning.

The annual tuition of Aljezur International School ranges from €7,200 to €8,100, depending on the grade level.

International Sharing School Taguspark

International Sharing School Taguspark (ISS Taguspark) is an IB World School located in Taguspark, Oeiras. The school offers the full continuum of International Baccalaureate programmes: Foundations, Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).

ISS is a great choice for flexible, student-centred environments that support inquiry, creativity, and collaboration.

The yearly tuition at International Sharing School Taguspark ranges from €11,400 to €26,760, depending on the grade.

Other school options include

• Nobel Algarve British International School, Lagoa, Algarve

• Oporto British School, Porto

• St. Dominic’s International School, Cascais

• Oeiras International School, Oeiras, near Lisbon

• United Lisbon International School, Lisbon

• PaRK International School: Campuses in Lisbon, Cascais, and Alfragide

• Greene’s College Oxford, based in Estoril and Lisbon

• St. Peter’s International School, Palmela, near Lisbon

French and German-speaking schools in Portugal

Lycée Français Charles Lepierre de Lisbonne

Lycée Français Charles Lepierre de Lisbonne welcomes students from maternelle (around age 3) through terminale (final year of lycée/high school).

The school follows the French national curriculum under the oversight of the French Ministry of National Education (AEFE network).

The tuition fees of Lycée Français Charles Lepierre de Lisbonne have two pricing structures: 

• EU,  French, and Portuguese students pay around €5,452 to €6,891 per year.

• Non-EU students need to pay between €6,097 and €7,536 annually. 

Redbridge School

Redbridge School is a trilingual school in Lisbon that offers language of instruction in English, French, and Portuguese. It combines inquiry-based learning with the French curriculum.

The annual tuition fees of Redbridge School fall between €8,000 and €15,000 per year.

Deutsche Schule Lissabon

The German School of Lisbon offers education from kindergarten through secondary following the German national curriculum. Classes are taught in German and Portuguese.

The annual fees range between €5,000 and €9,000 annually.

Deutsche Schule zu Porto

Deutsche Schule zu Porto is a German international school located in Porto. It follows the German curriculum with bilingual German–Portuguese instruction.

The fee structure of Deutsche Schule zu Porto is almost the same as that of Deutsche Schule Lissabon.

Religious schools in Portugal

Colégio Planalto

Colégio Planalto is one of the oldest Catholic boys’ schools in Lisbon, founded in 1978. The school follows the Portuguese national curriculum. 

It offers English as the language of instruction and also includes the IB Diploma option. The school’s annual fees range from €6,000 to €10,000 per year. 

International Christian School of Cascais

International Christian School of Cascais is a Protestant Christian school offering an American curriculum taught in English. It strongly emphasises values and community. 

The annual tuition is about €8,000 to €12,000.

Montessori schools in Portugal

Eden Montessori International School

Eden Montessori International School is located in the Algarve. This school follows the Montessori method for ages 3 to 12. It focuses on independence and hands-on learning.

The fees of Eden Montessori International School range from €6,340 to €9,090 per year.

Lisbon Montessori School

Lisbon Montessori School offers Montessori education for children aged 3 to 12 in Lisbon. It is taught in English with an emphasis on creativity and self-paced learning.

The school fees are between €7,000 and €10,000 annually.

At a glance: The best international schools in Portugal by city

Best public schools in Portugal for international students

Public schools follow the Portuguese national curriculum and teach in Portuguese. Some public schools allow non-Portuguese speaking students to enroll and may provide support classes in Portuguese to help them integrate. 

The best public schools in Portugal include:

• Escola Secundária Infanta D. Maria, Coimbra

• Escola Secundária do Restelo, Lisbon

Best schools in Portugal for special needs children

Portugal integrates students with disabilities into mainstream schools rather than segregating them. According to Decree-Law No. 54/2018, each school is required to have a Learning Support Centre (“Centro de Apoio à Aprendizagem”) which brings together human and material resources to support diverse learners.

Students with Special Educational Needs (SEN / NEE in Portuguese: Necessidades Educativas Especiais) in mainstream schools can receive:

• Specialist support staff, such as special education teachers, therapists, psychologists, or interpreters

• Adapted materials and tools, such as large print texts, assistive technology, or alternative formats

• Modified assessment conditions (extra time, alternate settings, oral exams) or individualised curriculum adjustments

• A tailored Individual Educational Plan (IEP or Programa Individual de Educação) that specifies the adjustments and support a student needs.

Some of the schools with SEN support include:

• Carlucci American International School of Lisbon

• St. Julian's School

• St. Dominic's International School

• Oeiras International School

• The Lisbon International School

• United Lisbon International School

• The British School of Lisbon

Students with visual impairment can also attend “reference schools” (specialist units). They can also be included in regular inclusive schools with additional supports (e.g., braille, orientation, adapted tools).

Types of international schools in Portugal

International schools in Portugal differ in their curriculum, language of instruction, and educational philosophy. Below are some of the main types you’ll come across.

IB (International Baccalaureate) Schools

These schools follow the IB programmes such as the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. They aim for a holistic, inquiry-based education that is recognised around the world.

Many international schools in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve offer IB options.

British/Cambridge Schools

These schools use the British curriculum, which leads to IGCSEs and A-Levels.

The language of instruction is usually in English. Many students who attend these schools go on to UK or European universities.

American Curriculum Schools

These schools follow U.S. educational standards, often culminating in a High School Diploma. Some also integrate AP (Advanced Placement), SAT exam courses, and other U.S.-based exam preparation support. 

If you’re relocating from America or if your children plan on studying in an American university, this curriculum is for you.

National Curriculum Schools 

Some international schools in Portugal adhere to their home country’s national curriculum, like French, German, or other European systems.

Religious schools

Religious schools are private institutions that include religious education, values, and often spiritual formation as part of their curriculum. 

Many are aligned with Christian denominations (especially Catholic), but some also operate with a more general Christian ethos.

Hybrid Schools

Hybrid schools combine international and national education systems. Students might follow a Cambridge or IB curriculum. They may also study Portuguese subjects or earn local certifications. This model helps students transition smoothly between education systems.

Montessori and Alternative Method Schools

Some international schools take a different approach by following Montessori, Waldorf, or other child-centred learning philosophies. These focus on creativity, independence, and experiential learning rather than strict exam systems.

The education system in Portugal

Portugal’s education system is managed by the Ministry of Education (Ministério da Educação) and offers free and compulsory schooling from age 6 to 18.

• Early Childhood Education (Educação Pré-Escolar): for ages 3 to 6 with a focus on play, language, and social skills.

• Basic Education (Ensino Básico): for ages 6 to 15 and divided into three learning stages.

• Secondary Education (Ensino Secundário): Covers ages 15 to 18 and offers academic, vocational, or arts study paths.

Grading system of schools in Portugal 

Schools in Portugal have different grading systems depending on whether they follow the national Portuguese curriculum or an international one.

Choosing the right international school in Portugal

Finding the right international school in Portugal depends on the curriculum, location, teaching style, community, and tuition fees. All these components should best match your child’s needs and long-term goals.

Select the right education system

Start by deciding what kind of education system fits your plans. The British and IB programmes are ideal for students aiming for global universities. American and Cambridge curricula offer flexible academic pathways. 

If you want your child to stay connected to Portuguese culture, a bilingual or hybrid school might be a great option.

Consider location and commute

Most international schools are concentrated in Lisbon, Cascais, Sintra, Porto, and the Algarve. But commuting times and transport options can make a big difference to daily life. 

Many families choose housing based on school proximity.

Do a personal visit

Once you land in Portugal, visit schools when possible. Take note of class sizes, facilities, and extracurricular activities. 

Ask about accreditation and certifications from organisations such as CIS, NEASC, or IBO. This helps you know the school’s education quality and global recognition.

Consider the community

Some schools emphasise creativity or academic rigour. Others focus on inclusivity, faith-based education, or holistic development. 

The best choice should align with your child’s personality, learning style, and your family’s lifestyle in Portugal.

How expats can enroll their children in schools in Portugal

If you hold a D7 visa or D8 visa and are a resident of Portugal, you’re eligible to enroll your children in public, private, or international schools across Portugal.

To register, parents need to provide:

• Proof of residence in Portugal

• NIF number (tax number)

• Passport & ID

• Vaccination and health records

• Previous school transcripts

Ready to move to Portugal? Touchdown makes it easier for you

Touchdown is Portugal’s premier relocation platform, designed to make moving abroad simple, transparent, and stress-free. Our team of experienced legal experts helps individuals and families handle every step of their move from a single platform. 

Whether you’re moving alone or with your family, Touchdown creates a personalized plan based on your specific needs and goals.

Use our free Eligibility Checker to outline your visa and residency options in minutes. After this, our in-house legal experts provide personalised support. For example, we help you set up your NIF number,  bank account,  and review your rental contract, so you meet all the legal requirements. 

This allows you to settle confidently and focus on enjoying life in Portugal.

Book a one-on-one consultation with our team of experts today!

Schools in Portugal FAQs

How much does it cost to go to international schools in Portugal?

Tuition fees for international schools in Portugal vary by school and grade level. Based on published fee structures, annual costs may range from around €6,000 to over €25,000. 

Lisbon and Cascais tend to be more expensive, while schools in Porto and the Algarve offer slightly lower fees. Additional costs may include uniforms, meals, and transport.

Where do expat kids go to school in Portugal?

Most expat families choose international or bilingual schools in major cities like Lisbon, Cascais, Sintra, Porto, and the Algarve. 

These schools offer globally recognised curricula such as IB, British, American, or Cambridge. They are taught in English with options for Portuguese language classes.

Is Portugal a good place to study for international students?

Yes, Portugal stands out as one of the best destinations for international schooling. It combines high academic standards with affordability, safety, and an exceptional quality of life.

Many international schools offer English-taught programmes, and the country’s welcoming culture makes it easy to adapt and thrive.

What is the school system like in Portugal?

The education system in Portugal is organized into several stages: pre-school (ages 3–6), basic education (ages 6–15), secondary education (ages 15–18), and higher education at universities or polytechnics. 

The system is regulated by the Ministry of Education and includes both public and private institutions.

Are schools in Portugal free?

Public education in Portugal is free of tuition fees for residents through the end of secondary school. But families may pay for materials, meals, or extracurricular activities. 

Private and international schools charge tuition, with costs varying by institution and program.