Thinking About Schooling in Portugal?

If you’re planning to move to Portugal with your family, one of the first questions you may ask is: “How do public schools work here?”

The good news is that Portugal offers a well-structured, free public education system that’s open to both residents and legal foreign residents. Whether you’re relocating to Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, or inland towns in the Alentejo, you’ll find public schools that are safe, inclusive, and focused on academic fundamentals.

At Immo Lusitania, many of our clients are expats with families. We not only help them find the perfect property, but also guide them through essential services like schooling, healthcare, and local integration.

Let’s walk through how Portuguese public education works—so you can feel confident as you make the move.

📚 How the Portuguese School System Works

The public education system in Portugal is divided into four main stages:

🧒 1. Preschool (Educação Pré-Escolar)

Ages: 3 to 5

Optional but encouraged

• Focus on socialization, creativity, basic language and motor skills

• Offered in public kindergartens (Jardim de Infância)

• Free, though some may have small fees for meals or activities

👧 2. Primary Education (Ensino Básico – 1.º Ciclo)

Ages: 6 to 10

Grades: 1st to 4th

• Core subjects: Portuguese, Mathematics, Environmental Studies

• One teacher usually follows the class for multiple years

• Free, books and meals sometimes subsidized

👦 3. Lower Secondary (2.º & 3.º Ciclo)

Ages: 10 to 15

Grades: 5th to 9th

• More structured by subjects: Science, History, English, Arts

• Students begin rotating between subject-specific teachers

• National testing begins at the end of this cycle

🎓 4. Upper Secondary (Ensino Secundário)

Ages: 15 to 18

Grades: 10th to 12th

• Students choose between academic or vocational tracks

• Academic: Sciences, Humanities, Arts, Economics

• Vocational: Hospitality, Design, Mechanics, etc.

• Completion leads to access to university or technical education

🇵🇹 Can Expats Send Their Kids to Public School?

Yes—absolutely. As long as you are legally residing in Portugal (even under a residency visa or D7), your children have the right to free public education.

You’ll need:

• Proof of residence

• Passport or ID documents

• Immunization records

• Tax number (NIF)

• Registration through the local city hall or education department

Many public schools now have:

• English-speaking staff

• Integration support for foreign children

• Portuguese language support for non-native speakers (Português Língua Não Materna – PLNM)

💬 Do Teachers Speak English?

Public school instruction is in Portuguese, but most teachers speak at least basic English, and many are used to having foreign students in the classroom.

In urban areas like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, international families are more common, and schools are increasingly supportive of language transitions.

🏫 Public vs. Private vs. International

Here’s a quick comparison:

If your children are young and you’re planning a long-term relocation, public schools offer a fantastic way to integrate fully into Portuguese life—and to save significantly on tuition.

💡 Pro Tip

Many expat families enroll their children in public preschool and primary school first, then shift to international schools later—once they know where they’ll settle long-term.

🧭 How Immo Lusitania Can Help Families Relocate

We understand that moving with children means more than just buying a house.

At Immo Lusitania, we offer end-to-end relocation support to ensure your transition is smooth and stress-free. We help you:

• 🏡 Find family-friendly homes near good schools

• 📄 Connect with city hall for school enrollment

• 🚘 Arrange visits to view properties and local amenities

• 🧱 Renovate properties to fit your family’s needs

• 🔍 Access exclusive off-market listings in Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, and Alentejo

Our founder, Ferdi, has helped dozens of families settle in Portugal and personally guides expats through the buying and relocation journey—from first call to house keys.

🏁 Ready to Make Portugal Home?

Whether you’re planning to relocate with young children, enroll teens in high school, or simply want the peace of mind that your family will be cared for, Portugal’s public school system offers stability, structure, and support.

Let’s find your ideal home—and help you start your family’s next chapter.

📩 ferdi@immolusitania.ch | nadia@immolusitania.ch | john@immolusitania.ch

🌐 immolusitania.ch/contact-us

📲 Book a call via Calendly or WhatsApp Ferdi directly

📌 Meta Description

Learn how public schools work in Portugal—from preschool to high school—for expat families. Immo Lusitania helps you relocate with confidence.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Immo Lusitania provides support with relocation but does not offer legal or educational consultancy. We connect clients with certified experts where needed.

Would you like a version of this in a downloadable relocation PDF or a blog header image featuring a local Portuguese school?