Lisbon has become one of Europe's most in-demand destinations for relocating families, drawn by the climate, the Portuguese tax incentives for new residents and an increasingly international economy. Demand for English-medium and dual-language schools has surged accordingly. This 2026 step-by-step guide explains how international school admissions actually work in Lisbon — from first enquiry through to a signed enrolment contract — so your family is not caught out by Portuguese paperwork or year-group quirks.
Step 1: Understand the Portuguese school year and entry points
Portugal's academic year runs from mid-September to mid-June, with three terms separated by autumn, Christmas, Easter and Carnival breaks. Year-group structures match the British or American system at most international schools, but children are placed by birth year (1 September to 31 August cut-off) rather than school year of origin. Be ready for your child to potentially repeat or skip a year compared with their previous country.
Step 2: Shortlist 4 to 6 schools
Lisbon's international school cluster spans British, American, IB, French, German and bilingual Portuguese-English options. A balanced shortlist usually includes:
- 1 to 2 British-curriculum schools (IGCSE / A-Levels)
- 1 IB World School (PYP / MYP / DP)
- 1 American-curriculum option with AP
- 1 bilingual Portuguese-English school for longer-term integration
Match schools by neighbourhood. Cascais and Estoril have the highest concentration of British and international schools; central Lisbon (Belém, Alvalade, Carnide) hosts most IB and American schools.
Step 3: Featured schools to consider
St Julian's School
The oldest British school in Portugal, located in Carcavelos. EYFS through to A-Levels and the IB Diploma, with a very strong UK and US university outcome record. View St Julian's School on ISA.
St Dominic's International School
Full IB World School in São Domingos de Rana with the PYP, MYP and Diploma. International student body and strong pastoral programme. View St Dominic's on ISA.
Park International School (Alfragide)
British curriculum primary and secondary, modern campus and small class sizes. Popular with families settling in the Alfragide and Carnide areas. View Park International School on ISA.
St George's School
British curriculum from EYFS through IGCSE and A-Levels, with a Cascais-area campus and a long tradition of educating international families. View St George's School on ISA.
Prime School International Estoril
Cambridge-curriculum bilingual school with strong Portuguese language pathways for integration. Boarding option available. View Prime School Estoril on ISA.
Step 4: Prepare the application file
Each school's application form is different, but the underlying documents are similar across Lisbon. Prepare:
- Completed application form (per school)
- Birth certificate, ideally translated to Portuguese or English
- Passport and NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) for the child or guardian — obtain the NIF as a priority on arrival
- School reports for the last 2 to 3 years, translated into English or Portuguese
- Vaccination record (Boletim de Vacinas equivalent or country-of-origin record)
- Two passport-size photos
- For older students, a sample of writing, recent test scores and a teacher reference
Step 5: Pay application fees and book assessments
Application fees in Lisbon range from EUR 100 to EUR 400 per school. Most schools require an entry assessment for Year 3 and above. Expect:
- English reading and writing assessment
- Maths assessment matched to the relevant year group
- A short interview with the head of section, and sometimes a separate family interview
- For older students, Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) or NGRT reading test
Assessment days are usually grouped on the first Saturday of each month. Book early as January–April slots fill first.
Step 6: Understand Portuguese language support
All international schools in Lisbon teach Portuguese as a host language, with intensive support for new arrivals. Children entering before Year 4 typically reach near-native Portuguese within 3 years; older students take 4 to 6 years to academic fluency. Bilingual schools accelerate this; pure English-medium IB or British schools provide pull-out support rather than full immersion.
Step 7: Negotiate the offer and sign the contract
Lisbon school contracts (Contrato de MatrÃcula) are annual, automatically renewing unless notice is given (usually 3 months). Read carefully for:
- Annual fee escalation clauses (typically capped at 4–5%)
- Late payment penalties
- Notice period to withdraw without penalty
- Capital and development fees: one-off, often non-refundable
- Sibling discount terms
Pay the deposit only after the contract is signed and a place is firmly held. Most schools accept SEPA bank transfer in EUR.
Step 8: Register with the parish (Junta de Freguesia)
Once the school place is confirmed, register your child's school with your local Junta de Freguesia. This is required for residency renewal and to access the Portuguese health system family allowance.
Admissions timeline at a glance (2026/27)
- Sept–Oct 2025: shortlist 4–6 schools, book tours
- Nov 2025–Feb 2026: submit applications and pay fees
- Jan–April 2026: assessments and interviews
- Mar–May 2026: offer letters issued, accept place
- May–Jul 2026: sign Contrato de MatrÃcula, pay deposit
- Sept 2026: term begins
Browse the full Portugal ranking
For the complete list of international schools in Portugal with profiles, fees and reviews, see the best international schools in Portugal on ISA.
FAQ
Can my child join an international school in Lisbon mid-year?
Yes, mid-year transfers are common in Lisbon thanks to the city's transient expat community. Apply 4 to 8 weeks ahead of the planned start date and confirm whether the school requires an interim assessment.
Do international schools in Lisbon require Portuguese?
No. Most English-medium schools accept zero Portuguese at entry and provide host-language Portuguese support from primary level. Bilingual schools usually require basic Portuguese from Year 5 upwards.
How much do international schools in Lisbon cost?
Plan EUR 12,000 to EUR 26,000 per child per year depending on school and age group. Add EUR 1,500 to EUR 5,000 in registration and capital fees, plus EUR 2,000 to EUR 5,000 in annual extras (lunch, bus, trips, IB exam fees).