To enrol your child in school, you must apply. From 2020, all applications will be accepted only in electronic form.
When enrolling foreigners, you will need the following:
copies of the passport of the parents and the child;
a medical certificate with vaccination information translated into Portuguese;
an individual tax number of the father or mother;
2 photos for a personal file;
documents confirming the address of residence. For example, a lease for an apartment.
If the parents have residence permits, the child will be admitted to a public school on a general basis.
If the child has already started school and then the family moved to Portugal, a student file must be obtained. It contains information about academic performance in subjects and health status. Based on a personal file, the child is enrolled in a suitable class. Documents on education are certified by an apostille.
Changing schools in Portugal. Children can change schools at any time during the year. You need to justify this transfer, such as a change of address. There is no cost involved when it comes to changing schools in Portugal.
Parents can apply online via the Portal das Matrículas if they have a Portuguese citizenship or directly with the school.
There are two types of schools in Portugal: public and private. Education in public schools is free, and parents only pay for lunch.
Each school determines the cost of meals and menus independently. The average amount ranges from €30 to 50 per month. If a student is on a diet, for example, because of a food allergy, parents must inform the school about the restrictions so that the child has a separate menu.
The choice of a public school depends on the official residence of the parents or grandparents who will look after the student. If there is no one to take the child to school, you can apply for a free bus: it picks up the children for lessons and takes them home at the end of the day.
Lessons in Portuguese schools last for 90 minutes. Classes start at 9 am and end at 5 pm.
There is a paid extension, which will cost an average of €40 per month. Payment for lunches and additional stay at school is determined individually, depending on the family’s income.
The language of education. Classes in public schools are taught in Portuguese. You can choose a private international school where they teach in English or French. The most prestigious are the American Carlucci International School and the British St. Julians, which are famous for their graduates and compete in a friendly way.
Some foreigners choose boarding schools. Here the child studies and lives the whole school year.
Holidays. In Portugal, children enjoy several school holidays throughout the year. This includes Christmas, Carnival, Easter, and a long summer break between each grade. Schools also close on public holidays.
Christmas break: 19 December 2021 — 2 January 2022
Carnival break: 20–22 February 2023
Easter break: 3–14 April 2023
Summer break: taken between 7 June and 12 September 2023. Length and exact dates will differ depending on age group.
Exams at the end of the course. At the end of the 11th grade, students in private and public schools take a test in two core subjects. After the 12th grade, they take an exam in Portuguese, the results of which are taken into account when entering a university.
Parent-teacher meetings are rare in Portugal. If necessary, the class teacher appoints an individual meeting with the family.
If a child is stressed or in a difficult situation, they can turn to a school psychologist. The student will be offered a free consultation at the parents' request or the teacher’s initiative.
A primary school in Azeñhas do Mar. If a foreigner obtains a residence permit in Portugal, their child will be admitted to a public school for free