Parents moving to Portugal face many decisions, and one of the most crucial is choosing the right school for their children. This guide aims to help you navigate the Portuguese education system and make an informed choice.
Overview of the Portuguese Education System
The Ministry of Education (Direção-Geral da Educação – DGE) regulates the education system in Portugal, which consists of four main stages:
- Pre-school education (Educação Pré-escolar): ages 3 to 6. While not mandatory, many working parents choose this option. Public pre-school is free for 25 hours a week from age 3.
- Primary education (Ensino Básico): ages 6 to 15. Local public or private schools can be an excellent choice. Children at this age often adapt quickly to a new language and culture.
- Secondary education (Ensino Secundário): ages 15 to 18. For older children, especially those planning to attend university, the choice becomes more complex. Consider their language abilities, academic goals, and future plans.
- Higher education (Ensino Superior): ages 18 and above
There are three main types of schools, especially at a secondary level:
- Public or state schools
- Private schools
- International schools
There are also religious schools and boarding schools, although these tend to fall under private or international.
Each of these three options has its pros and cons and you’ll need to decide what’s best for you and your child. Of course, if you decide you picked the wrong type of school, you can switch, although due to curriculum differences it’s easier to switch between public and private schools rather than international schools.
Public (or state) Schools
Public schools are the most common in Portugal, available nationwide and free of charge. Parents only pay for items like stationery, certain textbooks, meals, and school trips.
Pros:
- Education is free (as in no fees)
- Opportunity for children to integrate into Portuguese society and culture
- Available throughout the country
- Follow a standardised curriculum
Cons:
- Instruction is in Portuguese, which can be challenging for non-native speakers
- Quality can vary greatly between schools and often between areas
- May have larger class sizes compared to private schools
- Potential for teacher strikes, which can disrupt education
Primary Education (Ensino Básico):
Primary education is divided into three cycles:
- First cycle (primeiro ciclo or 1º ciclo): Grades 1 to 4
- Second cycle (segundo ciclo or 2º ciclo): Grades 5 to 6
- Third cycle (terceiro ciclo or 3º ciclo): Grades 7 to 9
The curriculum includes Portuguese, mathematics, science, history, geography, and English (which is mandatory). From Grade 7, students can choose to study another foreign language, usually French or Spanish.
Secondary Education (Ensino Secundário):
Secondary education lasts for three years (Grades 10-12). Students can choose between:
- Science-humanities streams (Cursos Científico-Humanísticos): More academic, preparing for university
- Vocational streams (Cursos Profissionais): Preparing for specific careers
- Specialised artistic courses (Cursos Artísticos Especialisados): For creative fields
Both public and private schools follow the same curriculum, typically at the same pace, but private schools often have better resources and may be more open to experimenting with newer, innovative styles of teaching. Public schools are generally much more rigid.
Although public schools all follow the same curriculum and all should receive equal funding from the government, there are differences in quality.
Choosing a School
When you first move to Portugal, it can be hard to know which local schools are the best. Asking around is probably the best way of learning about the different schools in your area, but you should also pay attention to the annual ranking tables as well. Many newspapers produce rankings (e.g. Publico, Observador, and Jornal de Notícias).
The rankings differ slightly, but are generally quite similar. Many schools will have an open day, and it’s worth attending these as well as visiting the school yourself to get a feel for it, as rankings don’t tell you everything.
While you do get a say as to which school you’d like your child to go to – parents are often asked to rank local schools in order of preference – you unfortunately don’t get the final decision, although you will be accommodated as much as possible.
Preference is given to children that are in that catchment area, and live close to that school, so this is an important consideration when renting or buying property. You can apply to schools in a different catchment area, but it isn’t the norm. As with every aspect of Portuguese life, face-to-face interaction is important and actually speaking to the school in advance can increase the likelihood of your child getting a place there.
A benefit of both public and private schools is that the other children and parents are normally Portuguese, which will allow both you and your children to integrate into Portuguese society better. International schools, in comparison, are more likely to attract other expats and both you and your children are more likely to end up in an expat bubble.
Private Schools
Private Portuguese schools can offer a happy medium for parents who want their children to attend a Portuguese school, but would like the school to have slightly better amenities, smaller classes, more extra-curricular activities, and perhaps a more individualistic approach to teaching than public schools.
Pros:
- Often have better facilities and resources than public schools
- Smaller class sizes
- May offer more extracurricular activities
- Follow the Portuguese curriculum, allowing for easy integration
- Less expensive than international schools
Cons:
- Fees can be substantial (typically between €300 and more than €1,000 per month)
- Instruction is primarily in Portuguese
- May have less diversity compared to international schools
As with public schools, schools are evaluated on an annual basis and the top public and private schools will appear in the annual ranking tables (e.g. Publico, Observador, and Jornal de Notícias). Besides these tables, it’s also a good idea to visit the schools with your children to get a feel for what it would be like to study there.
These schools are typically attended by more affluent Portuguese children rather than international students, so it means your child will get to integrate with other Portuguese children and hopefully have a much better chance at picking up the language.
Like international schools, private schools are fee-paying but the fees are typically between €300 and €1,000 per month compared to private schools which start at around €1,000 per month.
Catchment areas are much less of an issue, although you’ll probably still want to live reasonably close by for practical reasons. There are also fewer private schools in comparison to public schools and, if you really want to send your children to a private Portuguese school, it may restrict you from living in the remotest parts of the country.
Religious Schools
Most private religious schools in Portugal are Catholic. They follow the core curriculum but also include religious subjects. Many perform well in annual exams and offer a wide range of extracurricular activities. Some teach in English and offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. Fees usually range from €2,500 to €10,000 per year.
International Schools
If your choice is between a private fee-paying Portuguese school and a private fee-paying international school, there are a number of reasons that you might pick the international school over the private Portuguese school.
Pros:
- Instruction often in English or other foreign languages
- Follow internationally recognised curricula
- Easier transition for students who may return to their home country
- Often have excellent facilities and resources
- Multicultural environment
Cons:
- More expensive (fees can exceed €10,000 or even €20,000 per year)
- May create an “expat bubble,” limiting integration into Portuguese society
- Mostly located in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve
- Can make it more difficult to learn Portuguese
The two main reasons to pick an international school are the curriculum and the language.
International schools typically follow the International Baccalaureate or, in the case of British schools in Portugal, the GCSE and A-Level curriculum. You might pick an international school if you feel one of these curricula is better than the Portuguese system or, if you’re planning on moving in the near future, it’ll be easier for your child to slot into a similar curriculum in another country.
Another reason is if your child is slightly older and doesn’t speak Portuguese yet. Although Portuguese is taught in international schools in Portugal, many international schools teach most of the subjects in English or another foreign language such as German, French, or Dutch.
You may also feel that the Portuguese curriculum is less rounded than other international options. Under the Portuguese system, children focus on a specific subject area (such as the arts or sciences) and stick to those subjects. If you’d prefer your child to study different subjects in different fields, you may prefer a different curriculum.
Finally, another downside is location. While there are international schools throughout the country, the majority are located in Lisbon and the Algarve. As with private schools, this will limit where you can live – unless you’re considered boarding school.
Boarding Schools
There are a few boarding schools in Portugal, mostly located around Lisbon and the Algarve. Tuition fees are typically around €30,000 per year.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a School
- Language: If your children don’t speak Portuguese, consider their age and ability to learn a new language. Younger children often adapt more easily, however, children of all ages can adapt – they just might need extra help.
- Curriculum: Think about your long-term plans. If you intend to stay in Portugal long-term, a Portuguese curriculum might be beneficial. If you plan to return to your home country or move elsewhere, an international curriculum could be more suitable.
- Location: School options may influence where you choose to live in Portugal. International and private schools are more common in larger cities and expat-heavy areas.
- Cost: Consider your budget. Public schools are free, private schools have moderate fees, and international schools can be very expensive.
- Quality: Research individual schools, as quality can vary significantly even within the same type of school. Look at rankings, visit schools, and talk to other parents.
- Integration: Consider how important it is for your children to integrate into Portuguese society and make local friends.
- Support for Non-Native Speakers: Many schools offer support for children whose first language isn’t Portuguese (Português Língua Não Materna or PLNM). Some state schools offer language support classes, and students can take final Portuguese exams adapted for non-native speakers.
- Special Educational Needs (SEN): Portugal aims to create an inclusive educational system. Most mainstream schools offer SEN programs, and there’s a list of state schools that actively promote inclusion. Children receive an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) adapted to their learning needs. However, the quality of support varies considerably from school to school, and you should consider this before making any decisions.
- Future prospects: Think about your children’s future education and career plans. Some parents report that while Portuguese education is generally good, job prospects for young graduates in Portugal can be challenging. Additionally, while Portugal offers very affordable university education, even Coimbra University, which is well-regarded in Portugal, ranks fairly average in rankings like the World University Rankings.
What to do if your child doesn’t speak Portuguese?
If your child doesn’t speak Portuguese, you may be concerned about whether there’s enough support available for him in Portuguese schools. Many schools have a support system for children whose first language isn’t Portuguese (Português Língua Não Materna or PLNM) but it’s important that you ask what support is available. As well as lessons within the school, private lessons may also be necessary.
However, it isn’t just your child that’ll need to learn Portuguese fast: you should too if you want to be able to help your child with their homework.
Financial Aid and Scholarships:
- Low-income families can apply for government support (Ação Social Escolar – ASE) through their school.
- Family allowance (abono de família) is available.
- Special subsidies are available for children with disabilities.
- Some private and international schools offer scholarships.
Changing Schools
Children can change schools at any time during the year, but many parents wait until the end of a cycle to ease the transition. For public schools, you can apply via the Portal das Matrículas if you have a Portuguese citizen card, or directly with the school.
Parental Involvement
Most schools have a Parent Teacher Association (Associação de Pais). International schools often have similar groups and some allow parents to join the Board of Governors.
Homeschooling
While legal in Portugal, homeschooling is not common and recent reforms have made it more challenging. Parents must have a university degree, live with the child, and follow the national curriculum.
Essential paperwork
Just like every other area of Portuguese life, you’ll be asked for some paperwork when you go to enroll your child
- Proof of where you live, which is normally a domicilio fiscal or an atestado de residência)
- Documents from your child’s previous school so the school can work out what year the child should go into
Conclusion
Choosing the right school in Portugal depends on your family’s unique circumstances. Consider your children’s ages, your budget, your length of stay in Portugal, and your children’s future plans when making this important decision. Remember to involve your children in the process, especially if they’re older.
Many expat families find that a combination of options works best – for example, starting young children in local schools for language immersion and cultural integration, then considering international or bilingual options for secondary education if university abroad is a possibility.
Remember, every child is unique, and what works for one family may not work for another. Take the time to visit schools, talk to other parents, and consider your child’s individual needs and preferences when making your decision.