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Table of contents

How is the Portuguese education system?
What is the education system in Portugal?
What types of schools are available in Portugal?
What are the differences between the public vs. private education in Portugal?
How is the education for English speakers in Portugal?
What are the requirements to enroll in the education System in Portugal?
How does the Portuguese education system compare internationally?
How can AnchorLess help you?

Education in Portugal

Schools in Portugal

Portugal Educational System

19/12/2024

Education in Portugal for Expats: Public, Private & International

Education in Portugal is built around a clear promise that matters to most relocating families: public schooling is compulsory from ages 6 to 18, and access to the state system is designed to be universal, so your main decisions are usually about school type, language transition, and timing your enrollment.

For immigrant parents, the fastest way to get oriented is to think in four steps: pre-school (optional), basic education (grades 1–9), secondary (grades 10–12), and higher education (university or polytechnic), with most public-school applications and key transitions handled through the Portal das Matrículas.

What makes Portugal especially practical for newcomers is that the system recognizes the language hurdle: public schools can provide Portuguese as a non-native language support (PLNM / Portuguese as a Second Language) so children can access the curriculum while they build fluency. At the same time, expat communities often point out a real-world nuance: the older the child, the harder the Portuguese-only transition can feel, which is why some families consider bilingual, private, or international options depending on budget and timeline.

In this guide to education in Portugal, we’ll walk through how each stage works, the typical documents and deadlines families run into, what’s genuinely “free” versus what you still budget for, and the school choices that help children settle confidently: academically, socially, and linguistically.

How is the Portuguese education system?

Portugal’s education system is well-structured and regulated by the Ministerio da Educação and the Ministerio da Ciência, Tecnologia, e Ensino Superior. Education is mandatory for children aged 6 to 18 and free in public institutions until secondary school. For those seeking alternative paths, private schools and international institutions offer specialized and bilingual curriculums.

The system is divided into five main stages:

Crèche (Infantário): Ages 0–3
Preschool (Educação Pré-Escolar): Ages 3–6
Basic Education (Ensino Básico): Ages 6–15
Secondary Education (Ensino Secundário): Ages 15–18
Higher Education (Ensino Superior): 18+

Each stage caters to specific developmental needs and prepares students for the next phase, emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility for all, including non-native Portuguese speakers.

How is the Early Childhood Education (Educação de Infância or Infantário)?

Crèche (Infantário): Ages 0–3

Crèches, or infantários, provide care for children from birth to three years old, focusing on social and motor development. They also help parents balance family and work life by offering flexible hours.

Public and Subsidized Crèches: Public crèches are often run through partnerships with Instituições Particulares de Solidariedade Social (IPSS), which subsidize costs based on family income. Fees can range from €20 to €400 per month, making them a popular choice. In recent years, the government has expanded free placements for first-year enrollments.
Private Crèches: Private institutions offer more amenities but come at a higher cost, ranging from €400 to €1,000 monthly. They often have shorter waiting lists than public crèches.
Enrollment Process: Registration typically takes place from March to May for a September start. Documentation includes proof of income, residence, and the child’s vaccination records.

Preschool (Educação Pré-Escolar): Ages 3–6

Preschool is optional but highly encouraged to prepare children for formal education. It fosters early literacy, numeracy, and social skills through structured activities.

Public Preschools: These are free and managed by municipalities or IPSS organizations, offering 5-hour daily sessions with additional family support services like meals and extended hours.
Private Preschools: These schools charge tuition, typically ranging from €200 to €800 per month. Many private institutions offer bilingual programs, making them attractive to expat families.
Enrollment: Parents can register online via the Portal das Matrículas or directly at their local school. Required documents include the child’s birth certificate, vaccination records, and proof of residence.

How is the Basic Education (Ensino Básico) in Portugal?

Basic Education (Ensino Básico): Ages 6–15

Basic education in Portugal is mandatory and spans nine years, divided into three cycles:

First Cycle (1.º Ciclo): Grades 1–4—Ages 6–10
Second Cycle (2.º Ciclo): Grades 5–6 – Ages 10–12
Third Cycle (3.º Ciclo): Grades 7–9—Ages 12–15

The curriculum aims to provide foundational knowledge in Portuguese, mathematics, sciences, history, physical education, and the arts.

Public Schools: Based on the family's residence, schools assign students free of charge. While tuition is free, parents pay for meals, supplies, and extracurricular activities. Meals are subsidized for low-income families.
Private Schools: These charge tuition ranging from €300 to €1,000 per month. They often feature smaller class sizes, additional resources, and extracurricular programs.
Language Support for Immigrants: Non-native speakers are eligible for Português Língua Não Materna (PLNM) classes, which help them integrate and succeed academically.
Enrollment Requirements: Families must provide proof of residence, the child’s birth certificate, vaccination records, and previous academic transcripts. Documents from abroad may require translation and apostille certification.

How is the Secondary Education (Ensino Secundário) in Portugal?

Secondary Education (Ensino Secundário): Ages 15–18

Secondary education divides into academic, professional, and artistic pathways to prepare students for higher education or vocational careers.

Pathways:

Scientific-Humanistic Courses: Geared toward university admission.
Professional Courses: These courses focus on technical skills for the job market.
Artistic Courses: Specializations in visual arts, music, or design.
Adult Education: For individuals returning to education later in life.

Costs: Public secondary education remains free, though families cover material and activity costs. Private secondary schools charge between €500 and €1,500 monthly.

How is the Higher Education (Ensino Superior) in Portugal?

Higher Education (Ensino Superior): Ages 18+

Portugal’s higher education system includes universities and polytechnic institutes. Programs align with the European Bologna Process, making degrees internationally recognized.

Degrees Offered:

Licenciatura (Bachelor’s Degree): Three years, or five for integrated master’s programs.
Mestrado (Master’s Degree): Two years.
Doutoramento (Doctorate): Three to four years.

Costs: Public university tuition ranges from €697 to €1,500 annually for EU residents and €2,000 to €7,000 for international students. Private institutions charge €4,000 to €20,000 annually.
English-Taught Programs: Many universities offer English-taught master’s and doctoral programs in fields like business, engineering, and law.

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What is the education system in Portugal?

The education system in Portugal is a mostly public, state-regulated model that runs from optional pre-school (ages 3–6) into basic education (grades 1–9, ages 6–15), then secondary education (grades 10–12, ages 15–18), followed by higher education in universities and polytechnics, an overview of the education system often described as education at a glance for relocating families.

In practice, Portuguese education is compulsory from ages 6 to 18, with basic education split into three cycles (1st: grades 1–4, 2nd: 5–6, 3rd: 7–9) and secondary lasting three years (10th–12th).

What are the levels of education in Portugal?

The main levels of education in Portugal are:

Pre-school education (Educação Pré-escolar): usually ages 3-6 and optional.
Basic education (Ensino Básico): compulsory, ages 6-15, split into three cycles (often described as primary education in the earlier years):
1st cycle: grades 1-4
2nd cycle: grades 5-6
3rd cycle: grades 7-9
Upper secondary education (Ensino Secundário): grades 10–12, typically ages 15–18, with academic and vocational/artistic pathways.
Tertiary or Higher education (Ensino Superior): university and polytechnic degrees after secondary school (usually 18+).

What age is compulsory education in Portugal?

In Portugal, compulsory education runs from children aged 6 through ages six to eighteen (or until the student completes upper secondary). That means the typical enrollment age for mandatory education is 6, and it remains mandatory up to 18.

Is education free in Portugal?

Yes!

During compulsory education, education is free in public schools in the sense that there are no tuition fees for the state system (typically ages 6 to 18).

Families usually still budget for everyday costs like school materials, meals, and activities, but free public education covers the core teaching and attendance costs.

What types of schools are available in Portugal?

In Portugal, families and students can choose from several school types, depending on age, language needs, and budget.

Public and private schools are available at primary and secondary levels. Public schools are state-funded and follow the national curriculum, while private schools may offer smaller classes, different teaching approaches, or religious education. International schools in Portugal are also part of the private sector and often follow British, American, French, German, or IB-style curricula, which can be helpful for expat families who want continuity in another language.

For older students, vocational education is widely offered at the secondary level through professional/vocational courses and schools, combining classroom learning with practical training and work placements.

At the tertiary level, Portugal has public universities as well as private higher education institutions, plus a strong polytechnic sector focused on more applied, career-oriented degrees.

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What are the differences between the public vs. private education in Portugal?

Public education in Portugal

Portugal holds public schools in high esteem, accounting for approximately 80% of student enrollments. Key features include:

All levels offer free tuition, with the exception of higher education.
Programs for language and integration provide support for immigrant children.
High-quality teaching and curriculum alignment with international standards.

However, public schools often have larger class sizes and fewer extracurricular options compared to private institutions.

Private education in Portugal

Private schools attract families seeking specialized or bilingual education. They offer:

Smaller class sizes and personalized learning.
Programs that are bilingual, typically in both English and Portuguese, often follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.
The emphasis is on achieving academic excellence and preparing for university exams.

Costs vary widely, with tuition starting at €5,000 annually and reaching €25,000 for prestigious international schools. Many private schools also require entrance exams and interviews for admission.

How is the education for English speakers in Portugal?

For children

International schools are the best option for families wanting their children to learn in English. These schools follow global curricula, making transitions easier for expatriate families.

Popular options include St. Julian’s School in Lisbon, Oporto British School in Porto, and Nobel International School in the Algarve.
Tuition ranges from €5,000 to €25,000 annually, depending on the school.

For university students

Many Portuguese universities offer programs taught entirely in English, especially at the postgraduate level. These include fields such as business, engineering, and technology.

Examples of institutions offering English-taught programs include Nova University of Lisbon, Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, and University of Porto.
Proof of English proficiency (e.g., IELTS or TOEFL) is typically required for admission.

Homeschooling and supplementary education in Portugal

Portugal permits homeschooling, but it must adhere to the national curriculum. Families must register with a local public school, which evaluates students annually. Many expat families supplement homeschooling with private tutoring or bilingual programs.

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What are the requirements to enroll in the education System in Portugal?

Here are the main requirements to enrol in the Portuguese education system, based on the materials you shared and the current official enrolment rules (Portal das Matrículas / Ministry of Education).

1) For pre-school, basic and secondary school (kids and teens)

Where you enrol

Most enrolments and renewals are done online via the Portal das Matrículas (pre-school, basic and secondary).

If you submit within the official window, your application is considered on time for placement/priority (“seriação”).

Data and documents typically required (public system)

Portuguese rules require the guardian to provide, for the child/student:

Proof of address (to validate the student’s residence catchment area)
A recent passport-style photo
NIF (tax number), if already assigned
Household composition (validated with the Tax Authority, used for prioritisation in some cases)
SNS user number (NSNS)
Health subsystem details (only if the child has a private/public “subsystem” plan)

And for the parent/guardian (“encarregado de educação”):

Valid ID document type/number
NIF
Contacts and address
Date of birth and other identification details
If the guardian is not the parent, schools may request proof of legal responsibility/guardianship.

Common extra items requested in practice (especially for newcomers)

When a child is arriving from abroad, schools commonly ask for:

Previous school records / student file (to place the child in the right year)
Vaccination record/medical information (often requested by schools for registration procedures)

Language support (relevant for expat families)

If Portuguese isn’t your child’s first school language, the public system can provide Portuguese as a Non-Native Language (PLNM) support measures in many schools.

There are also private options to learn Portuguese.

2) Private and international schools

Private/international schools do not use exactly the same process as public schools. They usually request: prior transcripts, application forms, sometimes assessments/interviews, and payment of fees, requirements vary by school (and seats can be limited).

What are the requirements for higher education in Portugal?

In Portugal, the core higher education requirements for entry into university institutions (universities and polytechnics) usually come down to three things:

Academic title: you must hold a completed secondary education qualification (the equivalent of finishing 12th grade).
Entrance exams: for the national public-admissions route, you must have taken the required entrance exams(“provas de ingresso”), which are typically the national secondary-school exams used for admission to each course.
Course prerequisites (when applicable): some degrees require additional 'pré-requisitos' (for example, specific aptitude/medical/physical requirements), depending on the program.

A practical example: the University of Coimbra confirms that applicants to its bachelor’s and integrated master’s degrees can apply through the National Contest of Access and Admission (the standard public route), which follows the same logic, secondary qualification plus the appropriate exams/prerequisites.

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How does the Portuguese education system compare internationally?

Portugal’s Portuguese education system tends to be seen as strong and practical by international standards, especially for families who want a safe public-school option, plus a wide menu of international pathways.

Academic outcomes are broadly competitive. In PISA 2022 (a major global benchmark), students in Portugal scored close to the OECD average in maths, reading, and science.
Compulsory schooling is long and structured. Portugal has 12 years of compulsory education (ages 6-18), slightly longer than the OECD norm, and it makes upper secondary effectively part of compulsory education.
International options are unusually accessible for a small country. Portugal has 17 IB World Schools, which helps families who want the International Baccalaureate or an internationally portable curriculum. Many school directories also list dozens of international schools, especially around Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.
Higher education has global visibility (not just local recognition). In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Portuguese universities such as the University of Lisbon and University of Porto appear in the global table, useful if you care about international reputation and mobility.
Language integration is a real differentiator and a common “pain point.” Officially, schools can provide Portuguese as a Non-Native Language (PLNM) support for students whose first language isn’t Portuguese. In expat discussions, parents often describe the first months in public school as the hardest, especially for older kids, before routines and language improve.

How can AnchorLess help you?

We are happy to offer a range of services that will assist with your family's Portuguese visa, such as AnchorMove, with free and bespoke options, an immigration consultation or Visa Dossier Review, with a Portuguese-bar associates lawyer that will make sure you are ready to follow through your family's visa application.

For families enrolling children in the Portuguese educational system we have our NIF service, including for minors, our translation and notarization services, if schools request any document under specific rules, as well as the assistance of our partner at Tendoria, who will be happy to guide your family in making the best decision for their education in Portugal!

Talk to an expert

Unsure about your needs in Portugal?

No worries, talk to one of our experts for free and we’ll help you figure it out.

Final thoughts

Portugal’s education system offers high-quality public schooling, diverse private options, and support for English speakers, ensuring a seamless transition for immigrants.

Understanding the structure, requirements, and costs allows families to choose the best educational path, providing children with a strong foundation for their future in Portugal and beyond.

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