Thanks to the climate, the Portuguese lifestyle is centred on spending time outdoors. There are plenty of facilities to keep children occupied, from playgrounds and skate parks to sports courts and football pitches. Portugal is ranked above the UK and the United States in Unicef’s latest league table of child well-being outcomes, scoring particularly well in the category for mental health.
If you’re thinking about moving to Portugal with your children, learning about the education system on offer should be a key priority.
Overview
The Portuguese education system is split into three terms. These run from mid-September to mid-December; the beginning of January to the Easter break; and from April to the end of June.
The Portuguese education system is divided into four sections:
● Pre-school from ages three to six
● Primary from ages six to 15 (1º Ciclo)
● Secondary from ages 15 to 18 (2º Ciclo)
● Higher for ages 18 and over (3º Ciclo)
Attending school is compulsory for children aged between 6 and 18 years. Once your child turns 18, they can either move on to university education or apply for work.
In Portugal, the entire education system is regulated by the Portuguese Ministry of Education (DGE). This covers all age groups, from pre-schoolers to secondary school students. School groups work alongside local municipalities to allocate funding and agree on the curriculum. The Ministry for Science, Technology, and Higher Education (MCTES) plays a key role in overseeing budgets and policies for tertiary education providers in Portugal.
For expats, it can be difficult to get your head around the many different education options in Portugal. Your child’s learning path will largely depend on their age.
Different types of school in Portugal
The different types of school in Portugal include free state schools, private schools, international schools, and vocational learning pathways. If you’re searching for English-speaking schools in Portugal, international schools are a good option to consider. Lisbon is home to the International Sharing School Taguspark, widely considered as one of the best international schools in Portugal.
Although there are a range of international and private schools in Portugal, most parents in Portugal choose to send their children to the local state school, which is free of charge. Mandatory education starts at age 6, although most children start before then. As an expat, private education institutions may offer other benefits. International schools are designed to cater to the needs of expats, so they offer curriculums from all around the world, which can be taught in your child’s native language.
Not sure where to begin? We’ve mapped out all the key points to consider. Whether you need to arrange childcare for your pre-school age child, or find the best schools in Portugal for your teenager, we’re on hand to help.
Pre-school education in Portugal
The pre-school education system Portugal provides is run by the Ministry of Labor, Solidarity, and Social Security.
Most early childcare providers, such as kindergartens and childminders, are run privately. If you want your young children to learn Portuguese, arranging for them to attend pre-school from an early age is sensible.
Children aged between 3 and 6 may attend pre-school. It is not mandatory, but it is a popular option for many working parents. There are a range of different private and public pre-schools in Portugal, and you can also access childcare through social institutions and charities. Most pre-schools offer opening hours that fit around parents’ work schedules, with many staying open until 17:00 and beyond.
f you choose to use a private pre-school, you will be required to pay tuition fees. Fees are usually means-tested, which means families who earn more will have to pay higher fees. That said, the fees for putting a child into full-time pre-school in Portugal are less than you would pay in the UK or USA, even if you are classed as a high earner. When your child reaches the age of three, you will be entitled to 25 hours per week of free childcare.
Primary schools in Portugal
In Portugal, the primary school day usually runs from 09:00 to 15:30. Attendance at primary school is compulsory for children aged between 6 and 15. Your child’s time at primary school will be split into three cycles. The first cycle covers Grades 1 to 4, the second cycle covers Grades 5 to 6, and the third cycle covers Grades 7 to 9.
Since public education is free in Portugal and the standard of education is good, most locals send their children to a public primary school. This means there are few associated costs to consider, such as school meals, books and occasional day trips.
Expat children may find attending a public primary school difficult if they don’t already speak Portuguese. If you’re planning to stay in Portugal long-term, the whole family will benefit from learning to speak the Portuguese language. Young children are likely to pick up the language more quickly than older kids, so it’s best to start as early as possible.
The Portuguese primary national curriculum covers Portuguese, Maths, Science, Humanities and English. From Grade 7, pupils can opt to study another foreign language, such as Spanish or French.
When applying for public primary schools, you must choose one that is close to your home or place of work. You will be asked to provide evidence of your address, and there may be a waiting list, so it's important to be organised and apply early.
Private Primary Schools in Portugal
International schools in Portugal are classed as private primary schools. If you can afford to pay the fees, they are a good option for expat children. Your child will be able to study in their main language, while building friendships with children from all over the world. Other types of private primary schools in Portugal include Steiner-Waldorf and Montessori. Fees for these schools are typically at least 4,000 EUR per year. Class sizes tend to be smaller, and lessons are usually taught in Portuguese.
Secondary education in Portugal
The Ministry of Education oversees the provision of secondary education in Portugal.
Upon completing primary education, students in Portugal have to apply for secondary school, which covers grades 10, 11 and 12. Attending secondary school, or escolas secundarias, is mandatory for children between 15 and 18 years of age.
The secondary school day is often long, with most secondary school students expected to stay at school until around 16:45. This can be useful if you’re trying to balance a job with childcare.
During the secondary school enrolment process, students can select from a range of study stream options. This means they can choose a route that suits their hobbies and career plans.
Some streams are designed to support students to prepare for university education, while others are work-based or vocational. Many primary schools use aptitude tests and offer guidance to assist students in choosing the best secondary school study route.
Public secondary schools are free in Portugal, and the standard of education is generally good. Pupils must study a set of core subjects, including Physical Education (PE), Portuguese, Philosophy, and a Foreign Language, which is usually English. The remaining topics of the curriculum vary according to their chosen study stream.
A range of different private secondary schools are available in Portugal. These include international, religious (usually Catholic) and boarding schools. Religious schools are a popular choice for parents, as they achieve the best results in the annual exams, and have a higher budget for extra-curricular activities. Fees range from 2,500 EUR to 10,000 EUR per year, although this varies between schools.
International secondary schools offer students a multicultural learning environment, which is often appealing to expat parents. An international school is probably the best choice if you are moving part-way through your child’s education, as they provide a familiar environment for learning.
You can choose from American, British, French and German international schools, with children able to learn in their native language and study a curriculum they are familiar with. Some international schools in Portugal, such as the Aljezur International School, use the UK curriculum, including the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSEs). Others allow students to choose between the British and Portuguese curriculums. The annual fees for international secondary schools in Lisbon are usually between 5,000 EUR and 15,000 EUR.
Options for boarding schools are limited in Portugal. If you’re considering boarding schools in Portugal, these tend to be in and around Lisbon and the Algarve. You can expect to pay fees in the region of 30,000 EUR per year.
Secondary school students in certain schools can study for the International Baccalaureate Portugal (IB) Diploma. This qualification is recognised by universities all over the world. It is designed to help nurture creativity and instill a sense of community. In Portugal, 12 schools offer the programme. These include PaRK International School, Colegio Atlantico, and St. Dominic’s International School.
To graduate from secondary school, students must successfully pass all of their subjects. Repeating a grade during primary or secondary education is not unusual in Portugal. Final grades are based on several different factors, including class participation, formal assessments, and homework. There are also two compulsory exams at the end of Grade 11, and one at the end of Grade 12, although these are not mandatory for students who have chosen to study a vocational stream. That said, all students applying for higher education will be required to sit these exams.
Special needs education and schooling options in Portugal
Portugal strives to provide an inclusive educational system, so most of the mainstream schools offer support to students with special education needs (SEN). The Ministry of Education also publishes a list of the state schools that actively prioritise inclusion.
Children below the age of 6 can be supported at home or in kindergarten by a special education teacher. Once they reach compulsory school age, they will be able to attend their local primary school.
The school will work with the child to develop an Individual Educational Plan (IEP), which will be tailored to their individual learning requirements. It might provide details or certain learning tools, or special allowances to be made in formal exams. Upon leaving school, the student will be issued with a plan to help them successfully transition into adult life. If the IEP or resources at the mainstream school do not meet the child’s needs, parents may wish to consider enrolling them at a specialist school.
Portugal has several different special education schools to choose from. Most of these are found in larger towns and cities. Each school is different, so it’s important to research the facilities and choose one that will meet your child’s individual needs. Some schools are well-equipped to support children with visual or hearing problems, whereas others are suitable for children with developmental disabilities. You can seek additional help from non-profit organisations, such as CADin, which supports families who have children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Homeschooling in Portugal
Homeschooling is legal in Portugal, but not many families choose this option. In recent years, it has become harder to homeschool in Portugal. If you wish to homeschool, you must be university-educated and live in the same house as the student. The child has to be registered with a public school, and the teaching you provide must be in line with the national curriculum. Homeschooled students are expected to sit the annual exams, which are in Portuguese.
Extracurricular activities
In Portugal, extracurricular activities are seen as a priority, with most schools offering a diverse programme to complement the formal learning timetable. From sports and drama to choir and computer clubs, there is something to suit every student.
Extracurricular activities can help to improve a student’s career prospects, as well as help them build new friendships and improve their mental health. If your child attends a private school in Portugal, you can expect a more comprehensive programme of extracurricular activities.
University options
Higher education in Portugal is offered through universities and polytechnics. University degrees are based on research and theory, whereas polytechnics offer practical training in vocational professions. If you want to study a subject like law, medicine, economics or psychology, you will need to attend university. If you wish to become a nurse, accountant or teacher, you will need to apply to a polytechnic. Some fields are taught by both types of institutions, for example management, engineering, and agriculture.
Students who wish to pursue a career in the military or police may choose to attend state-run institutions, such as the Military Academy, Naval School, Air Force Academy, or Instituto Superior de Ciencias Policiais e Segurança Interna.
Prospective higher education students must apply in July or early August, either in their area of residence or online. The different levels of university education in Portugal include graduate degrees, Master’s degrees, and doctorates.
Admissions are highly competitive, and you will need to hold the diploma de ensino secundario or equivalent. In addition, you will be expected to pass other legal requirements, which may include minimum grades in certain national examinations.
Expat students must hold an academic qualification equivalent to the 12th year of the Portuguese education system.
Summary
The education system Portugal runs is a high-quality option for expat families. Whether your children attend a state school, private school, or international school, you can expect well-structured learning pathways, with plenty of extra-curricular activities to improve their leadership and communication skills.
