Education for the affluent: Portugal's best international schools

With Portugal offering a number of high-quality education options, how do you choose the best school for your children?

Courtesy of the likes of the country’s Golden Visa scheme – as well as its D7 visa, Digital Nomad Visa (D8), or Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) program – expats are increasingly moving their families to Portugal to upgrade their quality of life.

There are a number of considerations to make when comparing different education options, their suitability for English-speaking children, costs, popular choices, curriculums, qualifications, and the necessary visas for enrolment. Additionally, how does the education system in Portugal compare with that of England?

Fee-paying or private schools in Portugal are renowned for providing high-quality education with a focus on academic excellence, holistic development, and small class sizes.

These schools primarily target Portuguese students but are open to international students as well. However, it's important to note that most classes are conducted in Portuguese, so a strong grasp of the language is necessary for success. You can expect to pay anywhere between €5,000 to €20,000 or more per year at one of these institutions.

If your children aren’t proficient in Portuguese, there are alternatives.

English speaking schools in Portugal

International schools in Portugal are designed to cater to students from diverse cultural backgrounds, including expatriate communities.

These schools offer education in English and follow internationally recognised curriculums such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) or the British National Curriculum, though it is worth checking with each individual school, as they may offer different qualifications.

The language of instruction and the presence of a multicultural environment make international schools particularly suitable for English-speaking children. International schools will set you back €10,000 to €30,000 or more per year depending on location and school.

Portugal is home to 54 international schools, 27 of which are based in Lisbon. This is worth noting when planning your residency, but don’t fear, you’ll find international schools across the country, with 13 in the Algarve, five in Porto and more throughout other towns and cities.

International schools won’t shut your child off from learning Portuguese, of course, with many offering education in both Portuguese and English, as well as intensive Portuguese courses for those seeking fluency.

Prices for language lessons tend to start at €100 per week depending on frequency of lessons and class size. There is also a wide selection of online one-on-one language learning services with a personal tutor where lessons can cost around €5 to €30 or more per hour, depending on the tutor and lesson type.

To enrol children in fee-paying or international schools in Portugal, it is generally not necessary to obtain a specific visa. However, families relocating to Portugal should ensure they have the appropriate residence permits or visas in place, such as the Golden Visa or a residence permit for non-European Union citizens, to legally reside in the country.

The structure of Portugal’s education system draws parallels in many regards with that of the UK. Ensino Básico (Basic Education) is a nine-year compulsory education stage which corresponds to primary and lower secondary education in England.

From there, Ensino Secundário (Secondary Education) is a three-year stage which equates to upper secondary education in England and prepares students for higher education or vocational training.

Students take national exams and can pursue general courses or professional courses leading to qualifications like the Diploma de Ensino Secundário (Secondary Education Diploma).

Higher education institution options

Once your child has progressed through the equivalent of primary school and high school, then you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a higher education institution.

From the likes of the University of Coimbra to the University of Lisbon, Portugal is home to some of Europe's most prestigious university institutes.

Students can enjoy a welcoming learning environment, with often lower tuition fees than that of their UK counterparts.

The higher education system in Portugal is comparable to the UK's and can be applied for with British qualifications, although it is worth noting you will need to speak the language as few universities will offer classes in English.

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