Education and schools in Portugal for foreign children

How the education system works in Portugal

The education system in Portugal is divided into three levels. Preschool - from 3 to 6 years old (jardim de infância). Compulsory schooling - from 6 to 18 years. Higher education - universities and polytechnics.

Compulsory education covers 12 years. It is divided into three cycles: primary school (grades 1-4), second cycle (grades 5-6) and third cycle (grades 7-9). This is followed by high school (ensino secundário, grades 10-12).

The academic year is from mid-September to the end of June. Holidays: Christmas (2 weeks), Easter (2 weeks) and summer (July-September).

Foreign children are enrolled in the class that corresponds to their age. Even if a child does not know Portuguese, the school has no right to refuse enrollment.

Public Schools: Free and Affordable

Public schools in Portugal are free for all children with a residence permit or residence permit. No fees, no tuition fees. Textbooks in elementary school are also free.

Enrollment is at your place of residence. You register the address, submit documents to the agrupament (association of schools) of your area - and the child is enrolled. List of required documents: birth certificate with apostille, parent’s residence permit, proof of address.

The main disadvantage is that all subjects are in Portuguese. The child will need adaptation for the first 6-12 months. Some schools offer the PLNM (Português Língua Não Materna) program - additional language lessons at no extra charge.

The quality of public schools is uneven. Lisbon and Porto have strong groups with good final exam results. In small towns the level is lower.

Private Portuguese schools

Private schools (escolas privadas) teach in Portuguese, but offer smaller classes and more personal attention to each student. Many work with foreign children and have experience in adaptation.

Cost - 300-600 EUR per month. Some top Lisbon schools charge up to 900 EUR/month.

Bilingual private schools are a good compromise. The child receives Portuguese and at the same time learns English. There are such schools in Lisbon, Porto, Cascais and Setubal.

International schools in Portugal

For families where the child is studying on a British or international program, there are several strong options. Studying in English, IB or IGCSE diploma, familiar environment.

Main international schools in Lisbon:

• CAIS - Cascais International School (Cascais, near Lisbon). IB program. Age 3-18 years. About 12,000-18,000 EUR/year.
• St. Dominic's International School (Lisbon). British Curriculum + IB. From 10,000 to 20,000 EUR/year depending on the level.
• The Lisbon International Centre of Education (LICE). More affordable - from 8,000 EUR/year.

In Porto:

• Oporto British School. British Curriculum. Age 3-18 years. 8,000-15,000 EUR/year. One of the best according to expat reviews.
• CLIP - Oporto International School. IB program. From 9,000 EUR/year.

It is better to open registration for international schools 6-12 months before the expected start of studies. Places are limited.

Cost of education: full breakdown

Below are specific numbers for all levels and formats of training.

There are no Russian-language public or official schools in Portugal. There are private tutors from the Russian-speaking community - you can find them through expat Facebook groups in Lisbon and Porto.

Conditions for foreign children

Children of foreign citizens have the right to education in Portugal on an equal basis with citizens of the country. This is enshrined in law - denial of enrollment is illegal.

To enter a public school you need:

• Birth certificate with apostille and notarized translation into Portuguese.
• Parent's residence permit or confirmation of legal stay.
• Proof of address (lease agreement, utility bill).
• Medical certificate of vaccination.

The PLNM program is provided free of charge to children whose native language is not Portuguese. Usually these are additional lessons - 3-5 hours per week.

Grades for the first year, as a rule, do not affect promotion to the next grade. Schools understand that children need time to adapt.

The best cities for families with children

Your choice of city affects school accessibility, safety, and budget.

Cascais - first choice for families with an international school. Near Lisbon, high concentration of expats, good infrastructure. Rent 2BR - 1,800-2,500 EUR/month.

Lisbon - maximum choice of schools, cultural life. More expensive to rent. Good for families with a living budget of 4,000 EUR/month.

Porto - 20-30% cheaper than Lisbon. There is Oporto British School and CLIP. A good option for those who don't need Lisbon.

Sintra and Oeiras - Lisbon suburbs with good public schools and more affordable rent. Lisbon international schools are 30-40 minutes away.

Algarve - popular among British expats. There are several private schools. Suitable for permanent residence with children if you do not need a large selection of activities.

Higher education in Portugal

Portuguese universities have a good reputation in the EU. Diplomas are recognized in all EU countries.

Top universities in the country:

• Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa) - the largest university in the country. Top 300 QS World University Rankings. Medicine, law, economics, engineering.
• Universidade do Porto - strong technical and medical programs. Top 350 QS.
• Universidade Nova de Lisboa - renowned for its Faculty of Business (Nova SBE) and Social Sciences.
• Universidade de Coimbra - the oldest university in Portugal (founded in 1290). UNESCO site.

The cost of training for students from the EU is about 700-1,000 EUR/year (state universities). For foreigners from countries outside the EU - 3,000-7,000 EUR/year, depending on the program.

Some master's programs are conducted in English. Especially relevant in Nova SBE and ISCTE.

Language barrier: how children adapt

The language barrier is the main problem in the first months. But children learn language faster than adults. After 6-9 months in public school, most children 6-12 years old begin to communicate fluently.

Some practical tips:

• Enroll your child in a Portuguese course before moving - at least basic level A1.
• Ask the school to include PLNM in the program immediately upon enrollment.
• Find a child in the class who speaks English - this relieves the first stress.
• A Portuguese tutor 2-3 times a week speeds up adaptation by half.

Children over 14-15 years old take longer to adapt. An international school or a bilingual private school is especially important for them so as not to lose an academic year.

Education quality: what the data says

Portugal consistently performs above the EU average in PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) tests. In the last cycle of 2022, the country was ahead of the European average in science and mathematics.

The 2016-2021 education reform improved performance. The emphasis was on reading literacy, critical thinking and digital skills.

Public schools have an official ranking based on their final exam results (exames nacionais). The data is published by the Ministério da Educação. Before choosing an area, it makes sense to check the rating of a particular group.

International schools in Portugal are accredited by organizations such as the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). This makes it easier to transfer to other international schools if necessary.

More information about the education system is on the official website Direção-Geral da Educação.

Preschool education and kindergartens

Preschool education begins at 3 years of age. Public kindergartens (jardins de infância) are free or require a minimum fee depending on family income.

For a child with a residence permit, the fee in a state kindergarten is from 0 to 100 EUR per month. This is one of the most affordable expenses compared to other EU countries.

Private kindergartens are more expensive: 400-700 EUR/month in Lisbon and 300-500 EUR/month in the regions. But they work longer and often offer English from an early age.

Nurseries (creche) for children under 3 years old are mostly private. Cost: 400-800 EUR/month depending on the city. There are public nurseries, but there are few places and the queue is long.

Moving with children: practical steps

If you are moving with a school-aged child, the sequence of steps is important.

Step 1. Decide on the school format - public, private Portuguese or international. This influences the choice of area.

Step 2: Choose your area based on your school, not the other way around. International schools are often located in Cascais and the western areas of Lisbon.

Step 3. Submit your enrollment documents in advance. Public schools - 1-2 months. International - 6-12 months.

Step 4: Translate documents into Portuguese. You need a notarized translation of your birth certificate and academic transcript from your previous school.

Step 5. Enroll your child in a Portuguese course 2-3 months before moving.

Portugal residence permit and the right to education

For foreign children to have access to public schools, parents must have legal status in Portugal. The most convenient option for families with capital is Portugal residence permit by investment (Golden Visa).

The program provides a residence permit with the right to reside in the country. Children are included in the application and receive status along with their parents.

After receiving a residence permit, children are enrolled in public schools with the same rights as Portuguese citizens. Tuition fee - 0 EUR. The right to PLNM is automatic.

After 5 years of legal residence, you can apply for permanent residence, and after 5-6 years - for EU citizenship. Children who have lived in Portugal from an early age can obtain citizenship earlier.

Portugal vs other EU countries: comparison for families

Portugal's educational system is often underrated compared to Spain or Germany. Objective comparison based on key parameters:

Portugal wins in terms of price-quality ratio. High PISA level with a lower cost of living than Germany or the Netherlands.

Tax aspects for families with residence permits

Families who have received a Portuguese residence permit can take advantage of the special tax regime for new residents (previously NHR, from 2024 - IFICI+).

Foreign income - dividends, rent abroad, pension - can be taxed preferentially for 10 years. This is especially beneficial for families with passive income.

Expenses for children's education are partially deducted from the tax base when filing a return. The deduction limit is 800 EUR per child per year (education in accredited schools).

For IFICI+ conditions for families with income from business and investments, check with your tax consultant at the time of moving - rules may change.

Bottom line: is it worth taking your children to study in Portugal?

Portugal is one of the best options in the EU for families with school-age children. Public schools are free and accessible. There are international schools in Lisbon and Porto. PISA results are above average.

The main issue is language adaptation. If the child is 6-11 years old and the family is ready for the 6-12 month transition period, public school is an excellent choice. If the child is over 12-13 years old, choose an international or bilingual private school.

Cascais and the western suburbs of Lisbon are the best areas for families with international schools. Porto is a good alternative with lower costs.

Read the full guide to moving conditions on the page Portugal residence permit through investment.