Enrolling a Child in School in Portugal
Education is compulsory in Portugal from age 6 to 18. The public system is free and generally good. International schools are available in major cities. The academic year runs September to June.
Understand the school system
1st Cycle (1-4): ages 6-10. 2nd Cycle (5-6): ages 10-12. 3rd Cycle (7-9): ages 12-15. Secondary (10-12): ages 15-18. Public schools teach in Portuguese.
Decide: public, private, or international
Public is free and teaches in Portuguese — full immersion, kids adapt quickly. Private Portuguese schools cost 300-600 EUR/month. International schools (British, American, German, French) cost 500-1500+ EUR/month.
Find your assigned school (public)
Contact the Agrupamento de Escolas for your area. Schools are assigned by residence. The Camara Municipal can direct you.
Enroll during the enrollment window
Public school enrollment: typically June-July for the following September. Late enrollments are possible but you may not get your first-choice school.
Get academic equivalency if needed
If your child was in school abroad, you may need to request equivalencia (academic equivalency) from DGIDC. The school will guide you.
Documents needed
- Child's birth certificate
- Previous school records/transcripts (translated if not in Portuguese)
- Child's NIF and SNS number
- Parents' NIF and ID
- Proof of address
- Vaccination record
Register for school meals and transport
School lunches are subsidised (free or 1.46 EUR depending on income level). School bus transport is managed by the Camara Municipal.
Watch out
- ●Children are placed by age, not by previous academic level — a child who was in Year 6 in the UK may be placed in 5th or 6th year depending on birth date
- ●Portuguese public schools may not have English support initially — children typically become fluent within 6-12 months through immersion
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