International Schools in Portugal: Regions, Curricula and Fees (2026)

Parents can find a broad choice of international schools in Portugal, with IB (International Baccalaureate), British, German, French, and American curricula. 

In Portugal, international schools are multicultural, many of which have smaller class sizes and provide quality education. If you are moving to Portugal with children and planning to live there, choosing the right school can feel like one of the most important decisions you will face. 

The Global Citizen Solutions team has compiled a complete list of international schools in Portugal for 2026, from the overall education system to the average costs, as well as some handy tips for choosing the right school for your child.  

International Schools in Portugal: Key Takeaways

There are 82 International Schools in Portugal, of which 38 are in Lisbon, 17 are in the Algarve, and 8 are in Porto.   

Portugal ranks 25th overall on the Global Education Index and is one of Europe’s emerging destinations for international students. 

Portugal boasts international schools that offer a variety of internationally recognized curricula, each in different languages. 

Portugal’s universities, particularly in Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra, attract students seeking a European education experience. 

Several private international schools in Portugal are renowned for their academic excellence and diverse curricula. 

The median tuition fee is about €12,000 per year as of July 2026. 

Portugal boasts international schools that offer a variety of internationally recognized curricula, each in different languages. 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.

IB (International Baccalaureate) 

The IB curriculum is a globally recognized, inquiry-based education framework. It helps students develop critical thinking, independent research, and holistic development, instead of just rote memorization. 

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 are religious schools. Some Catholic diocesan or private schools in Portugal have recently begun offering more English-language instruction and may be moving toward an international curriculum, mainly in major cities.

Some of these schools are Manuel Bernardes in Lisbon, Rainha Santa Isabel in Coimbra, and Nossa Senhora do Rosário in Porto. 

Other teaching methods 

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. 

There are several high-ranking private international schools in Portugal. They’ve received positive reviews over the years for their diverse curricula and academic performance.  

But keep in mind that there is no single “best school” that works for everyone. Parents often choose their ideal option according to their total budget, the preferred curriculum, location, and class sizes. 

For many expats, some of the best international schools in Cascais may include: 

• St. Julian’s School (Carcavelos): This well-established school offers an international program based on the IGCSE and IB curricula, 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. It offers an IB diploma. 
• St. Dominic’s International School: Situated in Cascais near Lisbon, St. Dominic’s International School, founded by Irish Dominican Sisters in 1975, is an IB world school in Portugal, 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 3 to 11, providing an international environment with a multinational student and teacher body. Students leave with A-Levels and IGCSE qualifications.  

As of 2026, the Lisbon Metropolitan Area has a total of 38 international schools, of which roughly 18 are in Lisbon itself.

List of international schools in Lisbon city

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.”

The average cost of international schools in Portugal is around €12,000 per year. However, each international school has its own annual tuition fees based on the location, curricula, class sizes, and other amenities. 

Cheaper international schools can have annual fees of €5,000–€8,000, while mid-range education centers can charge roughly €8,000–€18,000 per year.  

That being said, premium international schools, mainly in Lisbon and Cascais, often have higher tuition fees reaching around €18,000–€29,000/year.  

For example, for the British International School of Lisbon, the yearly fees vary from €13,633–€22,230, while the O Mundo Somos Nós international school in Braga offers affordable school fees of €5,500–€6,490 per year. 

Besides the school fees in Portugal, annual additional costs per child may include:

• Supplies (such as textbooks, pens, backpacks, art supplies, etc): €100–€400 
• School uniforms: €200–€600 
• Extracurricular activities (such as drama class, music lessons, coding, swimming, language classes, etc): €300–€1,500+ 
• Trips: €200–€800 
• School meals: €1,000–€1,800 
• School bus: €800–€2,000+

These costs are general estimates only and are different for every school and location. Most of them are optional, such as transportation or extracurricular activities, so you can budget your expenses accordingly. 

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 of education.
• Location: Consider the school’s proximity to your home or workplace, and its access to public transportation for easy commuting.
• Extracurricular activities: Explore the range of offerings, including 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.