Best Private and International Schools in Lisbon: finding the right school for your children

Finding the right school for your child can be a challenging process for expats moving to Portugal. The public system in Portugal is free of charge to all residents, but  unfortunately a major drawback for many expats is the language barrier. Therefore, many expat parents decide to send their children to private or international schools instead of public schools. Below we take a look at the best international schools in Lisbon.

International Schools vs Public Schools in Portugal: things to know

Because Portugal is a hub for expats, with 12.4% of the population being foreign-born, the system has adapted to offer a variety of high-quality school choices, designed to accommodate children from abroad.

Unlike the public school system, private and international schools in Portugal teach in a variety of languages so that the child can experience classes in their native tongue while studying Portuguese as a separate class. The most popular international schools in Portugal are French, British, and German. With all the adjustments a child faces when they are relocating to a new country, this option can make a huge difference in their stress levels and learning capabilities.

Begin the process of choosing the right school for your children  as soon as possible, as many of the best schools have a waiting list and a time-sensitive application process.

Also make sure to check for hidden costs associated with the schools, such as application and enrollment fees, and extra activity costs, which can vary and are not shown in the annual tuition cost. There are more expenses than simply the yearly cost to attend, and those costs can increase annually, which can significantly impact your budget.

The Best International Schools in Lisbon

International schools tend to cluster around the larger cities where expats live, and there are a lot of expats in Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon. The classroom sizes are generally smaller in international schools, and they often offer a larger selection of extracurricular activities.

English Schools in Lisbon

The United Lisbon International School

Located in central Lisbon near the Parque das Nações, The United Lisbon School offers classes from K through 12, all taught in English. This curriculum is designed to teach eight personal learning goals to help the child become:

• Adaptable
• (a) Communicator
• (a) Collaborator
• Empathetic
• Ethical
• Resilient
• Respectful
• (a) Thinker

It has modern, high-tech facilities along with a large area of natural, green space and a sports facility, with a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) subjects. Fees vary from €2,825.00 for Pre-K 3 to €5,750.00 per quarter, meaning that the annual fee is 4 times this amount mentioned. More information about fees here.
For more information, refer to their website.

The British School of Lisbon

Located in the heart of Lisbon by Cais do Sodré, the British School’s curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum. The campus has a rich history but offers a modern environment. You can visit the campus and take a tour at a distance of a click.

The school accepts students from 3 to 13 years old, and its fees vary according to age: for 3/4 year olds (early years), the fees are €12,825.00 per year, and fees from 13 year olds (year 9) up are €16,670.00 per year (for more information check here). Note that there is a non-refundable €5,000.00 fee to confirm the placement of any child.

Lisboan International School

Located in Alcântara next to Lx Factory, this school’s curriculum is based on the British Cambridge International Education and IB programs. Their mission is to combine world-leading curricula to give children the best academic program for each particular stage of their education journey. The Lisboan International School accepts students from 3 to 18 years old, and offers a diverse range of extracurricular activities.

The Lisboan International School is part of Artemis Education’s family of schools, which follow three main purposes: climate positive choices, eco-centric education, and community impact. Find more about it here.

Yearly fees vary from €11,7500.00 for the nursery program to €21,750.00 for Year 13. You can have more information about the fees here.

Astoria International School

The Astoria International School is located in Alvalade and focuses on a multilingual approach. It accepts students from nursery to high school and students learn both Portuguese and English. From the third grade on, the school focuses on a trilingual system which includes German, and from the fifth grade on, French is introduced.

The school also offers many extracurricular activities, such as judo, chess, rugby, piano, ballet, and even yoga for babies. The staff encourages responsible growth through the motto “Knowing how to be, knowing how to act, knowing how to know”.

The school does not provide its fees publicly. Contact them here to know more.

Cesário Verde International School Portugal

Located by Parque das Nações, this school accepts students from kindergarten to 9th grade only. It is a member of the international institution IES, International Education Systems, which has a history of over 130 years.

The Cesário Verde International School Portugal focuses on values such as tolerance, justice, responsibility, and empathy, and teaches a second language from early on. The school also offers students to do exchange programs in other countries through their SEK International Programs. 

Not a lot of information is provided on the website, including their fees, but you can ask for more information here.

PaRK International School

PaRK International School has three locations: Alfragide, Praça de Espanha, and Restelo. In all the facilities, the school accepts students from early age (1 year old) to senior school (18 years old, grade 12). Their mission is to teach children the right skills and tools to grow up to be curious, supportive, autonomous, and bilingual individuals. The school focuses on four pillars: innovation, happiness, responsibility, and glocalization (“think global, act local”).

The school offers a lot of extracurricular activities such as music lessons (guitar and piano) and martial arts, depending on the campus. You can find more information here.

German International Schools in Lisbon

Fees vary from €8,950.00 (early learning school, 1 to 5 years old) to €19,750.00 (last year of senior school, IG grades 11 and 12) per year. Find the price list here.

Deutsche Schule Lissabon

This is the second oldest German school outside of Germany. It’s located in two places in Lisbon: Telheiras, a neighborhood in the northern part of Lisbon, and Estoril, outside of the city center.

It follows the curriculum approved by the German Ministry of Education and its mission is to provide students with the skills and values for them to have a balanced and successful life. Therefore, the interaction between teachers and students aims to strengthen self-esteem and self-confidence as well as to promote a sense of responsibility.

Both campuses accept students from kindergarten to high school (grade 12). Fees vary from €7,753,00 to €7,966.00 per year. Bear in mind that the fees in Estoril are a bit higher. You can find more information about the fees here, including discounts for siblings.

French International Schools in Lisbon

Redbridge School

Located in Campo de Ourique, this school aims to inspire creativity, a love for learning, and open-mindedness. The staff promotes a stimulating learning environment while respecting the needs and developmental pace of each student. The school emphasizes growth, development, and academia, focusing on 6 key values: autonomy, confidence, curiosity, care, collaboration, and determination. 

The Redbridge School accepts children from 3 years old to secondary school. Fees vary from €7,872.00 (Petite, Moyenne, et Grande Sections) to €15,545.00 (Upper Cambridge Year 10, Year 11). There is also a €3.000 non-refundable enrollment fee. Find more about fees here.

Lycée Français Charles Lepiérre Lisbonne

This school accepts students from kindergarten to high school. It follows the curriculum of the French Ministry of Education. At the high school level, there is an orientation service that guides students in their choices for university. There are counselors who, by collaborating with pedagogical teams and parents, can help to create an individualized orientation project for each student.

Lycée Français is located by Amoreiras, right in the center of Lisbon. Its fees range from €5,192.00 to €6,563.00. However, Non-EU citizens pay slightly higher fees: from €5,807.00 to €7,177.00. You can find the details here.

Final Thoughts on the Best International Schools in Lisbon

Making a decision about your child’s education is no easy feat, especially when considering fees, curricula, extracurricular activities, and more. Let us take the stress out of the process! We’ll find the perfect school fit for your child, set up appointments, and handle all the enrollment details. Contact us today to discover the best private and international schools in Portugal, and let us make your move a breeze!