International Schools in Portugal: Complete List for 2025

Are you moving to Portugal and looking for the perfect international school with an international curriculum for your children? Look no further!

The Global Citizen Solutions team curated this comprehensive guide on international schools in Portugal, featuring a complete list of schools nationwide.

This user-friendly tool allows you to search for international schools in Portugal by name, region, curriculum, and language. From private pre-schools and schools offering well-ranked secondary education to prestigious institutions focused on higher education, our comprehensive list is designed to help you make an informed decision effectively.

Keep reading for more on the best international schools in Portugal, including:

• Types of international schools in Portugal
• International versus public schools in Portugal
• The Portuguese education system

Portugal boasts international schools that offer a variety of internationally recognized curricula, each offering different languages and curricula. These are:

British Curriculum (IGCSE): British international schools typically follow the UK National Curriculum, which includes Key Stages 1 to 4 and prepares students for GCSEs and A-levels.

German curriculum: These international schools offer a comprehensive German curriculum and provide a traditional German education with a strong emphasis on academic rigor and cultural enrichment.

American curriculum: For Americans moving to Portugal, American schools provide a broad liberal arts education, standardized testing (like SATs), and Advanced Placement (AP) courses to prepare students for college and university in the United States.

French curriculum: French international schools adhere to the French national curriculum, which includes the French Baccalauréat. This curriculum focuses on a rigorous academic program emphasizing humanities, sciences, and languages.

Religious schools: While most international schools in Portugal are secular, a handful maintain a religious affiliation or ethos. Some Catholic diocesan or private schools in Portugal have recently begun offering more English-language instruction and may be moving toward an international curriculum, especially in large cities like Lisbon and Porto.

Method schools: Portugal has a growing number of schools that adopt alternative pedagogical “methods” such as Montessori or Waldorf (Steiner). While these may not always carry the label “international school,” several offer bilingual (English-Portuguese) programs, multicultural communities, and sometimes even international accreditation.

Several private international schools in Portugal are renowned for their academic excellence and diverse curricula. Notable examples include several of the best international schools in Cascais:

• St. Julian’s School (Carcavelos): This well-established school offers an international program based on the English National Curriculum, with access to the Portuguese national curriculum on the Portuguese side.
• Carlucci American International School of Lisbon: Located just outside Lisbon, this is the only school in Portugal recognized by the US Department of State: International Christian School of Cascais.
• St. Dominic’s International School:  Situated in Cascais near Lisbon, St. Dominic’s International School, founded by Irish Dominican Sisters in 1954, offers religious education with a regular curriculum, including diploma, middle, and primary programs.
• Prime School International:  This international school has locations in Cascais, Estoril, Lisbon, and Sintra. It offers the Cambridge Curriculum in English for ages 3 to 18, with options for native Portuguese speakers to take classes in both languages.
• Oporto British School:  Founded in 1894 in Porto, this is the oldest British school in mainland Europe. It follows a British curriculum through IGCSE and is the only International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) school in Northern Portugal.
• St. Peter’s International School is a premium private international school in Setúbal, Palmela. It offers national and international programs, including Cambridge IGCSE and the IB Diploma.
• Greene’s College Oxford:  With locations in Estoril and Lisbon, it offers online tuition for International A Levels, A Level Retakes, and Foundation Years using an Oxford-style tutorial method.
• International Preparatory School (IPS):  Located in Porto, IPS serves children ages three to eleven, providing an international environment with a multinational student and teacher body.

List of international schools in Lisbon

• The British School of Lisbon – Misericórdia
• Lycée Français Charles Lepierre Lisbonne – Campolide
• PaRK International – Benfica
• United Lisbon – Marvilla
• Redbridge School – Campo de Ourique
• L’Ecole Trillingue – Belem
• The Lisboan – Alcantara
• Deutsche School – Lumiar

List of international schools in Cascais and Estoril

List of schools in Sintra and Oeiras

List of international schools in the Algarve

List of international schools in other regions of Portugal

The Portuguese education system is highly regarded for its comprehensive and inclusive approach. Portugal has modernized its educational infrastructure, incorporating innovative teaching methods and technology. The system is divided into:

• Preschool education (Educação Pré-escolar): Ages 3 to 6
• Primary education (Ensino Básico): Ages 6 to 15
• Secondary education (Ensino Secundário): Ages 15 to 18
• Higher education (Ensino Superior): Ages 18 and above

The Portuguese grading system

• Middle school uses a five-scale grading system: Fail, Unsatisfactory, Satisfactory, Good, Excellent.
• High schools use a 20-point scale.

Public schools in Portugal are well-regarded, emphasize national curriculum standards, and are budget-friendly due to government funding. They are a good choice for families seeking education accessibility or on a tight budget.

According to Natalie Willis-Davies, education consultant at Tendoria, parents have a wide variety of schooling options. “Besides the international schools, we have one big category, which is the public and private Portuguese schools. These schools are fully taught in Portuguese, except, of course, with foreign language subjects that they offer, such as English, French, or German,” say explains.

International schools offer benefits to foreign residents or international students, including a diverse student body and tailored curricula. They often provide rigorous academic programs with smaller class sizes and individualized attention from teachers.

Willis-Davies explains one of the biggest differences: “International schools typically offer a more comprehensive range of extracurricular activities than local schools do. This allows children to explore their interests and develop their skills beyond the classroom.

An international school is really a softer landing for families relocating to Portugal, especially for children aged 12 plus, who will need more time to learn Portuguese than their younger counterparts.

International schools also offer an international setting, meaning that the students have come from different backgrounds, and that makes it sometimes makes it easier to integrate and make friends.”

Public schools in Portugal are tuition-free for citizens and foreign residents up to a certain level of education. Private school tuition ranges from €400 to €500 per month for primary through high school.

International schools typically have higher tuition fees, with monthly costs of around €800. Minimum fees start at about €40 per month but can go up to €1,800 depending on the school level. When budgeting for international or private schools, consider additional costs for uniforms, books, and other supplies.

There are 51 international schools in Portugal, spread across seven distinct cities. Most are concentrated in the Greater Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve region, which can make choosing a school and a home location challenging.

According to Goldcrest’s Head of Real Estate, Goncalo Peixoto, families must weigh different factors like the child’s age, commute times, school admissions processes, curriculum, and the relationship between property prices, school areas, and lifestyle in their decision.

“It really depends on the family. For example, the child age and grade of younger children, the proximity to the school may be a higher priority. Older children might be able to handle longer commutes. You can also look at the school availability and the admission charge criteria.

Some schools have limited spots or specific enrollment requirements. So ensuring a place for your kid before settling on a property can avoid disappointment on this side,” he explains in our Global Intelligence Unit’s Global Education Report.

You can find international schools in Lisbon in various neighborhoods, including Cascais, Estoril, Sintra, Oeiras, and Carcavelos. Meanwhile, the Algarve region offers international schools in Faro, Almancil, Lagoa, and Portimão.

Other Portuguese regions like Braga, Madeira, and Leiria also have a handful of international schools, albeit in smaller numbers.

Choosing the right international school for your children can be easier if you know where to start.

Here are some top tips to assist you in making the best decision:

• Accreditation: Ensure the school is accredited by recognized organizations like CIS, NEASC, or IBO, guaranteeing high standards in curriculum, teaching, and facilities.
• Curriculum: Based on your child’s needs and aspirations, consider the offered curriculum, whether the IB diploma or the North American style education.
• Location: Think about the school’s proximity to your home or workplace and access to public transportation for easy commuting.
• Extracurricular activities: Explore the range of extracurricular offerings, such as sports, music, and drama, to help your child make friends and develop new skills.
• Teacher qualifications: Verify the teachers’ qualifications and experience, as they are vital to your child’s learning experience.

Peixoto further explains:

“People tend to choose to buy a house near schools for their children, where they can drive up to twenty minutes to pick up and drop off their kids. In wider Lisbon, the distance for commuting isn’t that big so it’s feasible. We’ve also been seeing a lot of new schools opening in the Algarve and Sintra. So, not all the great schools are centrally located, which is interesting. Parents have a lot of choice when deciding on the school.”

In Portugal, international schools offer an exceptional standard of education and are typically accredited by international organizations.

They create a multicultural environment, allowing students to interact with peers from various countries and fostering openness and respect for diverse cultures. These schools focus on multilingual education, a holistic curriculum, and academic achievement.

They also provide various extracurricular activities to support children’s skills, talents, and interests. Many schools follow globally recognized curricula, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) or the British curriculum, designed to develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

Several schools offer renowned qualifications like Cambridge International Examinations, giving students a competitive edge for global university applications.

Some schools emphasize curiosity and collaboration, with others excelling in STEM subjects or the arts. You’ll find numerous English-speaking international schools in Portugal with various curricula.