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The school system structure in Portugal

As of 2025, the Ministry of Education has structured the Portuguese school system according to the following stages:

• Pre-school: 3 to 6 years old (not mandatory);
• Primary school: 1^st to 4^th grades (1^st Cycle);
• Basic Education: 5^th and 6^th grades (2^nd Cycle) 7^th to 9^th grades (3^rd Cycle);
• Secondary Education: 10^th to 12^th grades;
• Higher Education: College, Masters and PhD.

Currently, all students are officially required to complete their secondary education, after which they may enter the workforce or apply to college.

Primary schools and basic education in Portugal: 1^st to 9^th grades

Unless you enroll your kids in an international school, the curriculum up to the 9^th grade is the same across the board, regardless of whether you choose a public or private Portuguese school. The extracurriculars, however, may differ vastly. If you have a valid residence permit, you'll be able to enroll your kids in a public school nearby. However, keep in mind that waiting lists may be long for popular schools, so start this process early. If the school closest to your home doesn't have any vacancies, your child will be enrolled in an alternative place (also within your area of residence).

Public school is free, meaning parents don't have to pay any tuition. Furthermore, at the start of the school year, books are also provided free of charge. On the other hand, you'll only need to cover extra costs, such as meals and field trips. As expected, classes in public schools are taught in Portuguese, so your child might struggle a bit while they don't have an appropriate command of the language. Public schools also offer special Portuguese classes for foreign students.

While on primary school, the official curriculum includes Portuguese, Math, 鈥�Estudo do Meio鈥� (a subject that includes sciences, history and geography), English, Arts and Physical Education. Once students move on to the 2^nd and 3^rd cycles, they start having separate classes for Sciences, History and Geography, as well as Chemistry, Civic Education and a second foreign language (usually French or Spanish). Throughout all 3 cycles, parents may also choose to enroll their kids in Religious and Moral classes, though this subject is entirely optional.

At the end of the 9^th grade, all students must complete their national exams in Portuguese and Mathematics. Their exam results will make up 30% of their final grade for both these subjects.

Read also International schools in Porto

Secondary education in Portugal: 10^th to 12^th grades

Once students reach secondary education in Portugal, they'll have to choose one of 4 study fields (Cursos Cient铆fico-Human铆sticos), according to the degree they'll want to seek when applying to college:

• Languages and Humanities (social sciences, journalism, education, literature, history, languages, law, diplomacy, etc.);
• Economics (business management, economics, accounting, finances, commerce, marketing, etc.);
• Science and Technology (IT, medicine, chemistry, biology, engineering, etc.);
• Arts.

Regardless of their choice, all students will need to complete classes in Portuguese, English (or other foreign language), Philosophy and Physical Education. However, the remaining subjects will differ. While Humanities students can study a second Foreign Language, History, Geography, Mathematics for Social Sciences, Psychology or Sociology; Science and Technology students will have subjects such as Math, Biology, Chemistry, Geometry or Geology in their curricula. Last but not least, students enrolled in Economics will study Math, History, Geography and Economy.

At the end of their secondary education, all students are required to have completed a total of at least 4 national exams (2 at the end of the 11^th grade 2 upon finishing 12^th grade). Their results will be instrumental in applying to university. Keep in mind that choosing one of these fields doesn't necessarily mean you can't pursue different degrees in college, but it may be a lot harder for you to make it past national exams. For example, if a student completes their secondary education in Humanities and wants to apply for a college degree in Business Management, they'll need to pass a national exam in Math. However, since they haven't had any Math classes during their secondary education, getting a good grade in the exam will be a nearly impossible task, unless they pay for expensive private lessons.

Lastly, students may also choose to enroll in vocational degrees instead of the more common study fields (Cursos Cient铆fico-Human铆sticos). By completing a vocational degree, which places a heavier focus on practical learning rather than theoretical, students will be ready to enter the workforce right after completing their secondary education. Be that as it may, vocational students may still self-enroll in national exams and apply to college. Although there is a vast array of different courses, some of the most common include tourism, multimedia, electrical installation, design, and computer technician, among others.

Read also Work in Portugal

Applying to college in Portugal

The application process for public universities in Portugal depends on the cycle of studies you are seeking to complete. Undergraduates must register on the (Higher Education Administration, in English) to be able to apply, listing 6 different public institutions in order of preference. On the other hand, graduates and postgraduates must apply directly on the website of their university of choice. In both cases, applicants will be asked for official translations of their school records and/or final exams - such as the SAT in the USA, the A-Levels in the UK or the Baccalaur茅at (BAC) in France - which must also be recognized at the Portuguese Embassy in their country of residence.

As for private universities in Portugal, the entire application process is managed directly by the institution. This means you should contact the university beforehand and ask about the application requirements and any additional information that can be useful to candidates.

Plus, if you are not a part of the Erasmus program (non-EU Citizen/Resident) nor any other student transfer protocol and wish to apply for a Portuguese university, bear in mind you will need to complete admission exams. These take place every year between May and July and are used as a ranking for entry to the university. If you're not living in Portugal, you can request to take these exams at the Portuguese Embassy in your country of origin or reach out directly to the university you're seeking to attend and enquire about the admission exams and how to take them.

Finally, the application process for international students is usually split into three different stages (January-February, June-July and August-September), with minimum grade requirements changing for each one of them. Usually, vacancies get smaller and smaller with each passing deadline, so it will be technically easier to get in if you do it during the first stage. Furthermore, by applying during the first stage, you will have plenty of time (classes start in September) to sort out your visa and accommodation arrangements. On the other hand, if you already live in the country and are going to apply through the 鈥渓ocal route鈥� (after taking the admission exams), applications take place in July and August.

However, different institutions can bear different deadlines for their application process (especially in private universities), so always make sure to stay in touch with a representative of your preferred higher education institution so that you don't miss your opportunity. After applying, you will receive feedback from the university within one/two months of the deadline.

Read also Study in Portugal

International schools in Portugal

If you want to ensure your child has an education taught in their native language and according to your home country's curriculum, then your best option might be to enroll them in an international school. Besides making it easier for the foreign student to adapt, this will also allow them to easily continue their studies if you ever move back. International schools follow the International Baccalaureate (IB), a program that grants them a diploma that is recognized globally and allows them to apply to universities around the world.

Depending on which international school you choose, classes can be taught in English (most common), German or French. These schools are available from pre-school to the end of secondary education.

The best international schools in Portugal

As the number of immigrants and expats has been growing all over the country, the international offer is also on the rise. Currently, these are some of the best international schools in Portugal:

Additionally, if you prefer a more alternative way of teaching, method schools are also available in Portugal, such as the , the , the (both in the Algarve) or the .

Tuition fees in international schools in Portugal

Naturally, tuition fees are not the same across the board, extensively depending on the school and grade. Furthermore, additional services such as meals, transportation or extracurricular activities are usually paid on the side. Be that as it may, these are the annual fees you can expect per cycle of studies:

• Pre-school: 7,000鈧� to 10,000鈧�
• Primary school and Basic education: 10,000鈧� to 15,000鈧�
• Secondary Education: 13,000鈧� to 20,000鈧�

Aside from the tuition fees, it's also common for international schools to charge application fees, registration/acceptance fees and annual renovation fees. Traditionally, American-curriculum schools are the most expensive, requiring more resources and specialized staff. On the other hand, German and French schools are usually cheaper, with similar tuition fees regardless of the school year (5,000鈧�-6,000鈧� per year).

If you enroll more than one child, most schools offer special prices and discounts.

Application and enrollment in international schools in Portugal

Unlike public schools, the application process to an international school in Portugal is slightly more complex. Typically, applicants will need to go through the following process:

• Fill out the application form online;
• Provide the required documents (ID/Passport copy, previous school report, immunization record);
• Pay the pre-registration fee (non-refundable).

Depending on the school, the administration may also require applicants to attend an interview, sit a placement test, or undergo an admission evaluation for English/German/French proficiency. Moreover, priority in enrollment is usually given to current students or siblings of current students trying to get admission into the international school.

Once the application is reviewed, the school will inform the student and their parents of the result. Should the response be positive, an acceptance letter will be sent with all the terms and conditions, asking the parents to proceed with a deposit or with the payment of an acceptance fee.

Good to know:

The whole process might take a few months, so it's highly recommended to start the enrollment as early as possible. Plus, there is currently a shortage of vacancies considering the spike in demand over the last 5 years or so. Start early and apply to several schools at the same time to guarantee your child gets a place.

How to choose an international school for your kids in Portugal

Although there are plenty of international schools in Portugal, that doesn't mean all of them are equipped to host your child. Every student has their very own specific needs depending on their educational history, health and strong/weak suits. Choosing a school will heavily impact your child's academic and personal development, so one needs to have several factors in mind when making such a pivotal decision.

First of all, depending on your home country and goals, you need to figure out what kind of curriculum is best for your child. Whether it's the British, American, French or German curricula, they all convey different teaching philosophies and evaluation methods. It's also particularly important that the curriculum matches that of the child's previous school, making it easier for the student to adapt and fit in as quickly as possible (even from the point of view of the language).

Obviously, logistic factors such as location and tuition fees also play an important role in your decision. Make sure your household budget can accommodate the costs of an international school, and don't forget to factor in extra costs (such as meals, transportation, uniforms, extracurriculars or registration fees) along with the monthly tuition fees. If different schools have accepted your child's application, compare both institutions based on their reputation and the academic/professional accomplishments of their alumni. Talk to other parents and do your research.

However, when all is said and done, the most important thing is to ensure your kid is happy and motivated about attending a specific school. Communicate with your son/daughter and let their feelings be an integral part of your important family choice. In the end, we all just want to see our children be happy and thrive, both in school and in life.