Lisbon has gone from boutique relocation destination to mainstream expat hub in under a decade, and its private school market has expanded accordingly. For international families applying in 2026, the main question is not whether places exist but how to sequence the application process in time for the start of the school year. This guide walks through what Lisbon private school admissions actually look like, which documents you will need, and how to avoid the timing traps that catch most first-time applicants.
The shape of the Lisbon private school market
Private schools in the Lisbon area fall into three broad groups. British and American international schools, concentrated along the Estoril-Cascais line and in central Lisbon, teach the English National Curriculum or the American curriculum with AP and typically offer the IB Diploma in senior years. Bilingual Portuguese-English schools, several of them long-established Portuguese brands, teach substantial parts of the programme in Portuguese while preserving an English-medium pathway. Specialist schools, including French, German and international Montessori programmes, round out the picture. Your choice of programme shapes everything about the admissions process, from which tests your child sits to which documents you need to translate.
When to apply
The Portuguese school year runs from mid-September to mid-June. The main application window at private schools runs from November through March for the following September, with many schools prioritising siblings, alumni and early applicants. High-demand schools, particularly St Julian's, St Dominic's, Carlucci American International School and the British School of Lisbon, fill Year 1 and Year 7 places quickly. Mid-year entry is possible at most schools subject to capacity, but do not assume a January offer will produce a January start: visa and residency steps often add weeks, which is why families relocating from outside the EU should start the school process as soon as their move is confirmed.
Top private schools in Lisbon for international families
St Dominic's International School
St Dominic's is a full IB continuum school (PYP, MYP and Diploma) teaching in English, located between Cascais and Lisbon. It attracts a broad international community and has consistently strong IB Diploma results.
International Christian School of Cascais
International Christian School of Cascais provides an English-medium American curriculum for families looking for a Christian international school in the Lisbon region, with a strong community feel and small class sizes.
International Sharing School
International Sharing School at Taguspark is a contemporary IB continuum school with a distinctive project-based approach. It suits families looking for a more innovative pedagogy alongside the rigour of the IB framework.
Prime School International
Prime School International Estoril teaches the English National Curriculum with IGCSE and A Level, and is set up specifically to serve internationally mobile families along the Cascais-Estoril coast.
Greene's College Oxford Lisbon
For a smaller, tutorial-style alternative, Greene's College Oxford in Lisbon offers the English curriculum in an intimate setting, often suited to families looking for a more bespoke academic programme, including flexible GCSE and A Level preparation.
Documents you will need
Expect to provide the following for each applicant:
- Completed application form (online for most schools).
- Copy of the child's passport and, where applicable, residency card or visa confirmation.
- The two most recent school reports in English or Portuguese. If your reports are in another language, a certified translation is usually required.
- Reference or recommendation letter from a current class teacher, particularly for secondary applicants.
- Vaccination record aligned with the Portuguese child health bulletin (Boletim de Saúde Infantil). Some schools require this before the first day of term.
- Proof of payment of the application fee (typically €100 to €250, non-refundable).
If any document is issued outside the EU, check whether an apostille is required. For families moving from non-Hague Convention countries, the document legalisation step can take weeks, and schools will not issue a place offer until the paperwork is in order.
Assessments and interviews
Most Lisbon international schools use a short written assessment in English and mathematics, proportional to the child's age, and a brief interview with admissions or the head teacher. British curriculum schools often ask for an age-appropriate CAT4 or similar baseline test. For secondary applicants, expect subject-specific tasks, particularly if the school offers IGCSE and IB Diploma. Non-English-speaking applicants are usually accepted on the basis of potential and supported through English as an additional language programmes, but senior entry (Year 10 upwards) is harder without strong English and assessments are taken more seriously at that stage.
Portuguese language for international students
Portuguese is not usually a requirement for admission to an English-medium international school, but most schools teach Portuguese as a subject from primary onwards, with streams for native speakers and for beginners. If you plan to stay in Portugal for several years, consider a bilingual school where Portuguese is a genuine language of instruction, because the gap between beginner Portuguese at an international school and university-level Portuguese is wider than families expect.
Realistic fees for 2026
Lisbon remains materially more affordable than London or Paris for international schooling, but fees at the premium schools have risen.
- Early Years: €7,000 to €12,000 per year.
- Primary (Years 1-6): €12,000 to €20,000 per year.
- Middle years (Years 7-9): €15,000 to €24,000 per year.
- IGCSE / MYP (Years 10-11): €18,000 to €27,000 per year.
- A Level / IB Diploma: €20,000 to €30,000 per year, plus examination entries at cost.
Add €500 to €2,500 per year for application fees, uniforms and trips. Most schools charge a one-time enrolment fee of €1,000 to €5,000 when you accept the place.
Where to find a shortlist
For verified profiles of English-medium and bilingual schools across Portugal with current fee information, use ISA's top schools in Portugal to filter by stage, curriculum and location.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be resident in Portugal before applying?
No. Schools accept applications from families still based overseas. However, most will ask for confirmation that a residency application is in progress before confirming a place, and vaccination and residency paperwork must be completed before the first day of school.
What happens if my child does not speak Portuguese?
At English-medium international schools, this is not a barrier to admission. Your child will receive Portuguese as a second language alongside the main curriculum. At bilingual schools, a pre-assessment of Portuguese is likely, and the school will recommend appropriate streaming.
When should I pay the enrolment fee?
Only after you have received and accepted a written place offer, and you are satisfied with the terms. Enrolment fees are almost always non-refundable. If your relocation is still conditional on visa or employment, ask the school about hold arrangements or phased deposits before paying.