Moving to Lisbon with school-aged children is one of the fastest-growing relocations in southern Europe, and the choice of international school is usually the first decision families need to make. The best international schools in Lisbon offer British, American, IB and French curricula, English-medium teaching, and communities made up of expat families from dozens of countries. This 2026 guide walks through the top schools, realistic fee ranges, admissions timing and the neighbourhoods where most international families end up settling.
Why Lisbon is a strong choice for expat families
Portugal has one of the lowest costs of living in Western Europe for an equivalent quality of life, and Lisbon in particular has seen rapid growth in its international community thanks to the D7 and D8 visas, the Golden Visa route prior to changes, and the remote-work friendly environment. For families, the attraction is simple: safe neighbourhoods, mild Atlantic climate, strong international schools and good connections to the rest of Europe through Humberto Delgado airport.
Most international families choose between two distinct school ecosystems. The first is the established British and American schools that have served the diplomatic and corporate community for decades, such as St Julian's School and Carlucci American International School. The second is the newer wave of bilingual and IB schools that opened in the last five years to serve the growing expat population in the city centre and along the Cascais coastline.
Curricula available in Lisbon
The main curricula offered by Lisbon international schools are:
- British curriculum: Early Years Foundation Stage, IGCSEs and A Levels, accredited by Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel. Strong presence at St Julian's and TASIS Portugal.
- American curriculum: US high school diploma with AP courses, delivered by schools accredited by New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Carlucci American International School is the flagship.
- International Baccalaureate: PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme. Offered at St Julian's, United Lisbon, and a growing number of bilingual schools.
- Portuguese national curriculum with English immersion: A hybrid route where children follow the Portuguese programme with a significant number of subjects taught in English. Useful for families planning to stay long term.
Language support is a universal feature. Almost every international school in Lisbon offers Portuguese as an additional language for newly-arrived students and English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes for children whose first language is not English.
Top international schools in Lisbon
Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL)
Based in Sintra, CAISL is the oldest American international school in Portugal and serves around 600 students from Pre-K through Grade 12. The school is authorised to deliver the IB Diploma alongside the US high school diploma, and its graduates are regularly admitted to top universities in the United States, the United Kingdom and across Europe. CAISL's 12-acre campus includes dedicated science and technology buildings and extensive sports facilities. Families who value American-style pastoral care, a broad elective curriculum and strong college counselling tend to shortlist CAISL first. You can read the full profile on Carlucci American International School of Lisbon.
St Julian's School
Located in Carcavelos between Lisbon and Cascais, St Julian's is one of the best-known British schools in continental Europe and has been operating since 1932. It offers the British curriculum leading to IGCSE, and students choose between A Levels and the IB Diploma in Years 12 and 13. St Julian's has both an English section and a Portuguese section, allowing families to pick the programme that fits their long-term plans. Demand is high and waiting lists are common for popular year groups. See the full listing at St Julian's School.
TASIS Portugal
TASIS Portugal is part of the TASIS family of schools and occupies a purpose-built campus in the Quinta do Lago area of Sintra. The school delivers an American curriculum with IB Diploma options, and has a particular strength in modern languages, with Portuguese, Spanish and Mandarin offered across the school. TASIS is a good fit for families relocating from other TASIS campuses or from the international school circuit in Switzerland and the United States. Full details at TASIS Portugal.
United Lisbon International School
United Lisbon opened in 2020 in the Marvila area of Lisbon and has grown quickly thanks to its modern campus and IB-focused model. The school is a full IB continuum school (PYP, MYP and Diploma) and has strong uptake from tech-industry families attracted to the nearby Parque das Nações district. Its purpose-built building includes a black-box theatre, design lab and rooftop sports facilities. More information at United Lisbon International School.
St Dominic's International School
St Dominic's is an IB continuum school in São Domingos de Rana, about 25 minutes west of central Lisbon. Founded in 1975, it has a Catholic ethos but welcomes families of any faith. It is known for small class sizes and a strong sense of community, and is often chosen by diplomatic families and long-term expats. See the profile at St Dominic's International School.
International school fees in Lisbon
Tuition at Lisbon international schools is noticeably lower than equivalents in London, Madrid or Paris, but still represents a significant household expense. The ranges below are for 2025-2026 and are expressed in euros per academic year.
- Early Years / Pre-K: €9,000 to €13,500
- Primary (Grades 1 to 5): €13,000 to €19,000
- Middle school (Grades 6 to 8): €16,500 to €22,000
- High school (Grades 9 to 12): €19,500 to €27,500
On top of tuition, expect one-off enrolment and capital levy fees in the €2,500 to €6,000 range, plus annual costs for meals, transport, technology devices and uniforms. Many schools offer sibling discounts of 5 to 10 percent and a small number offer need-based bursaries, though places are limited.
Where international families usually live
School choice in Lisbon is closely tied to neighbourhood. Families sending children to St Julian's, TASIS Portugal or Carlucci typically live along the Cascais line, with Estoril, Cascais, Carcavelos and Sintra being the most popular addresses. Families choosing schools in central Lisbon such as United Lisbon or Redbridge tend to settle in Parque das Nações, Alvalade or Belém. School buses are available from most schools and cover a surprisingly wide radius, which means you do not have to live next door to be within a reasonable commute.
Admissions tips for 2026
Most Lisbon international schools open applications for the September 2026 intake in October or November 2025, with decisions sent out between February and April. For the most competitive year groups (Reception, Year 7 and Year 12), waiting lists are real and earlier applications are almost always stronger. Typical documents required are the last two years of school reports, a teacher recommendation, a passport copy and, for older students, an assessment in English, Maths and sometimes a second language. Many schools run on a rolling-admissions model for mid-year entries, and families relocating mid-year should contact schools directly rather than assuming a closed door.
For a full ranking and side-by-side comparison of all the international options in Portugal, visit the ISA ranking of the best schools in Portugal.
Frequently asked questions
How much do international schools in Lisbon cost per year?
Tuition at the best international schools in Lisbon ranges from approximately €9,000 for early years up to €27,500 for high school, with additional enrolment and capital levy fees of €2,500 to €6,000.
Do international schools in Lisbon teach Portuguese?
Yes. Almost every international school in Lisbon teaches Portuguese as an additional language, and several schools also offer a Portuguese national curriculum stream alongside the international one, which helps children integrate locally.
When should I apply for the 2026-2027 school year in Lisbon?
The ideal window is October 2025 to January 2026 for September 2026 entry. Popular year groups such as Reception, Year 7 and Year 12 fill first, and earlier applications give families the best chance of securing a place."}}]}