Bilingual schools in Lisbon have become a magnet for expat families, drawn by Portugal's mild climate, safety and welcoming residency routes. Many of these families want their children to keep learning in English while also picking up Portuguese, and Lisbon's bilingual and international schools are built for exactly that. This 2026 guide explains the language models on offer, the schools worth shortlisting, realistic fees in euros and how to choose the right balance of English and Portuguese for your family.
What bilingual means in Lisbon
Bilingual education in Lisbon takes a few forms. Some schools are English-medium international schools that teach Portuguese as a strong additional language, ideal for families wanting an English-dominant education with local integration. Others are genuinely dual-language, splitting the timetable between English and Portuguese so children become fluent in both. A third group follows another national system, such as the French or American curriculum, while still developing Portuguese alongside it.
The right model depends on your plans. Families staying long term often value strong Portuguese so their children integrate fully, while those on shorter postings tend to prefer an English-dominant international route for continuity.
How bilingual teaching works
The strongest bilingual schools teach subjects through a second language rather than treating language as a standalone lesson, an approach known as content and language integrated learning. In early years, children absorb Portuguese naturally through play and routine, while older students may study some subjects in Portuguese and others in English. When you visit, ask what share of the timetable is taught in each language at your child's age, because that ratio determines how quickly real fluency develops.
Curriculum and credential options
Several Lisbon schools offer the International Baccalaureate, which travels well and is recognised by universities worldwide. Others follow a British pathway leading to IGCSE and A-Levels, an American programme, or the French curriculum. Some let students graduate with both an international qualification and the Portuguese secondary diploma, keeping doors open to universities in Portugal and abroad. Confirm exactly which credentials a school offers at the upper levels before you apply.
Leading bilingual and international schools in Lisbon
The schools below are well regarded among Lisbon's international community. Visit each to judge the language balance and culture, and confirm availability early.
United Lisbon International School
A modern IB-focused international school in the city centre, known for its forward-looking, English-medium approach with Portuguese woven in. See United Lisbon International School on ISchoolAdvisor.
TASIS Portugal
Part of an established international network, offering an English-medium education with strong facilities and an international curriculum. View TASIS Portugal.
Lycee Francais Charles Lepierre
A respected French-curriculum school in Lisbon, suited to families wanting a French education with Portuguese and English alongside. View Lycee Francais Charles Lepierre.
Santo Antonio International School
A bilingual international school offering an English-Portuguese education with a community feel. See Santo Antonio International School.
Fees at bilingual schools in Lisbon
Lisbon is more affordable than many Western European capitals, though premium international schools still command high fees. As a 2026 guide, expect annual tuition in roughly these ranges:
- Early years and primary: about EUR 9,000 to EUR 18,000 per year.
- Secondary: about EUR 14,000 to EUR 22,000 per year.
- Pre-university (IB or A-Levels): about EUR 16,000 to EUR 26,000 per year.
Budget for enrolment fees, a deposit, lunches, transport and trips on top of tuition, and ask each school for an all-in figure for your child's year group.
Choosing the right language balance
Be realistic about your timeline. A two-year stay and a permanent move call for different priorities on Portuguese.
Consider your children's ages. Younger children pick up Portuguese quickly, while teenagers may need a more English-dominant setting to keep pace academically.
Visit during a school day. Listening to which languages children actually use tells you more than any brochure.
To compare bilingual and international schools, read reviews and check indicative prices, browse the ranking of the best international schools in Portugal on ISchoolAdvisor.
Frequently asked questions
Do bilingual schools in Lisbon teach in Portuguese and English?
Yes, though the balance varies. Some are English-medium with Portuguese as a strong additional language, while others split the timetable more evenly between the two. Ask each school how much teaching happens in each language at your child's age.
Will my child keep up in English at a bilingual school?
At a well-run bilingual school, yes. Strong programmes teach core subjects through English so academic English keeps developing, while Portuguese is built in gradually rather than at the expense of English.
How much do bilingual schools in Lisbon cost?
Annual tuition typically ranges from about EUR 9,000 in the early years to around EUR 26,000 at pre-university level, before extras such as enrolment fees, deposits, transport and trips.