The complete guide to international schools in Portugal – Portugal Resident

Portugal has become an increasingly popular destination for international families, attracting expatriates, digital nomads, entrepreneurs and investors from around the world. Alongside its lifestyle and climate, the country offers a broad choice of international schools, with British, American, International Baccalaureate (IB), French, German and other educational pathways.

From Lisbon and Cascais to Porto, the Algarve and Madeira, families can choose from a wide range of schools offering internationally recognised qualifications, multilingual learning and diverse educational approaches. While the Azores do not currently have established international schools, parents relocating elsewhere in Portugal have an extensive choice of options, whether moving permanently or for a few years.

Porto and Northern Portugal

Oporto British School – Porto

Established in 1894, Oporto British School is the oldest British school in mainland Europe. It follows the English National Curriculum before students progress to Cambridge IGCSEs and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. It is one of Portugal’s longest-established international schools.

CLIP – The Oporto International School – Porto

CLIP offers an English-language education based on the Cambridge International curriculum before students progress to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. The school serves students from more than 50 nationalities.

Deutsche Schule zu Porto – Porto

The German School of Porto offers bilingual German-Portuguese education based on German educational standards. It serves both German-speaking and international families and leads to the internationally recognised German Abitur.

Lycée Français International de Porto – Porto

Following the French national curriculum, Lycée Français International de Porto prepares students for the French Baccalauréat and higher education in France and around the world. The school welcomes students from a wide range of nationalities.

CJD International School – Porto

CJD International School offers both the Portuguese curriculum and an English-language international pathway, offering Cambridge qualifications alongside multilingual education. It serves both Portuguese and international families from early years through secondary education.

CLIB – Colégio Luso-Internacional de Braga – Braga

CLIB offers an English-language education from early years through secondary school, combining Portuguese and British approaches in its younger years before progressing to Cambridge IGCSE and AICE programmes. Serving Portuguese and international families, the school places a strong emphasis on multilingual learning and academic achievement.

Central Portugal

LIS – Leiria International School – Marinha Grande

Leiria International School offers an English-language Cambridge education for students aged three to 18, covering Early Years, Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and AS/A Levels. The school serves Portuguese and international families and provides equivalence with the Portuguese education system.

Greater Lisbon

Carlucci American International School of Lisbon – Sintra

CAISL offers an American-based education from early childhood through Grade 12. Located in Linhó, Sintra, the school is accredited by the Middle States Association and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme alongside its American High School Diploma.

St Julian’s School – Carcavelos (Cascais)

Founded in 1932, St. Julian’s is one of Portugal’s oldest international schools. Students follow the National Curriculum for England through GCSEs before progressing to the International Baccalaureate Diploma or Career-related Programme. The school serves pupils from more than 60 nationalities.

Lycée Français Charles Lepierre – Lisbon

One of Portugal’s largest international schools, Lycée Français Charles Lepierre follows the French national curriculum from nursery through secondary education. It prepares students for the French Baccalauréat and higher education in France and elsewhere, while serving a diverse international community.

Deutsche Schule Lissabon – Lisbon

Founded in 1848, the German School of Lisbon offers a German-language education from kindergarten through secondary school, with Portuguese forming an important part of the curriculum. Students work towards the German International Abitur, which provides access to universities in Germany, Portugal and elsewhere.

United Lisbon International School – Lisbon

Located in eastern Lisbon, United Lisbon International School offers an English-language international education from early childhood through Grade 12. Its curriculum places a strong emphasis on technology, STEAM and project-based learning, culminating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

International Sharing School – Porto Salvo (Oeiras)

International Sharing School offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum in English from Nursery to Grade 12. The school places a strong emphasis on inquiry-based learning, innovation, leadership and entrepreneurial thinking within a diverse international community.

Oeiras International School – Oeiras

Located in Barcarena, Oeiras, Oeiras International School offers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum from primary through secondary education. The school serves students from more than 48 nationalities and places a strong emphasis on inquiry-based learning, critical thinking and independent learning.

St Dominic’s International School – Cascais

An established IB World School in São Domingos de Rana, Cascais, St. Dominic’s offers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum for students aged three to 18. The school combines a holistic approach to learning with a diverse international community and a strong emphasis on inquiry, inclusivity and personal development.

The Lisboan International School – Lisbon

One of Portugal’s newest international schools, The Lisboan offers an English-language education based on the National Curriculum for England, leading to Cambridge IGCSEs and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. The curriculum combines academic rigour with a strong focus on sustainability, wellbeing and real-world learning.

The British School of Lisbon – Lisbon

The British School of Lisbon follows the English National Curriculum from early years through secondary education. With campuses in Cais do Sodré and Restelo, the school combines academic rigour with a strong emphasis on creativity, critical thinking, music, sport and the arts within an international community.

PaRK International School – Lisbon

Operating three campuses in Alfragide, Praça de Espanha and Restelo, PaRK International School offers bilingual education in the early years and primary school before students progress to Cambridge International programmes, including IGCSEs. Senior pupils can choose between A Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

TASIS Portugal – Sintra

Part of the international TASIS network, TASIS Portugal offers an American-style education from Pre-K through Grade 12. Its curriculum combines Core Knowledge, Singapore Maths and international science standards before progressing to Cambridge IGCSEs and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school places a strong emphasis on academics, arts, athletics and global citizenship.

Greene’s College Oxford International – Estoril

Specialising in A Levels, IGCSEs and university preparation, Greene’s provides individualised education through paired and small-group tutorials. Its Oxford-style approach is designed to help older students develop independence, meet their academic goals and prepare for higher education.

IPS Cascais British International School – Cascais

Located in Bicesse, Cascais, IPS follows the National Curriculum for England from nursery through lower secondary school, before students progress to IGCSEs. The school places a strong emphasis on individual support, pastoral care and a broad international education, with A Levels planned as its secondary provision expands.

Prime School International – Lisbon, Estoril and Sintra

Operating campuses in Lisbon, Estoril and Sintra, Prime School International offers the Cambridge International pathway from early years through A Levels. The school combines small class sizes with personalised learning, preparing students for universities in Portugal and around the world.

Redbridge International School – Lisbon

Redbridge International School offers two international educational pathways: a French International Programme leading to the Baccalauréat Français International (BFI), and a Cambridge International pathway leading to IGCSEs, with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme planned, subject to authorisation. The school places a strong emphasis on multilingual learning, inquiry-based education and multiculturalism.

King’s College School Cascais – Cascais

Opened in 2025, King’s College School Cascais offers the Cambridge International curriculum through IGCSEs, alongside a bilingual English-Portuguese programme in the primary years. Part of the Inspired Education Group, the school is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme candidate school and provides a broad international education with a strong emphasis on languages, creativity and academic achievement.

St. Peter’s International School – Palmela

Situated south of Lisbon, St. Peter’s International School offers an international pathway based on the Cambridge curriculum, leading to IGCSEs and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school also offers a bilingual Portuguese pathway and prepares students for higher education in Portugal and around the world.

Algarve

Colégio Santiago Internacional – Tavira

Colégio Santiago Internacional follows the British National Curriculum from primary through secondary education. Students progress to Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs and International A Levels, while studying Portuguese as either a first or second language. The school serves an international community in a supportive, multicultural environment.

Bright International School – Loulé

Formerly Eupheus International School, Bright International School follows the Cambridge International curriculum from early years through secondary education. Students progress to IGCSEs and A Levels, while benefiting from a student-centred approach that emphasises inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration within an international community

Nobel Algarve Almancil – Almancil

Nobel Algarve Almancil offers an international education based on the National Curriculum of England from Nursery to Year 13. Housed on a purpose-built campus, students progress to IGCSEs before choosing either the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or BTEC qualifications.

Aspire International School – Almancil

Located between Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago, Aspire International School offers a British curriculum adapted for an international community from preschool through A Levels. Accredited by Cambridge International and Pearson Edexcel, the school combines small class sizes with a strong emphasis on personalised learning, creativity, critical thinking and personal development.

Vilamoura International School (Colégio Internacional de Vilamoura) – Vilamoura

Vilamoura International School offers both the Portuguese National Curriculum and an international pathway from early years through secondary education. The international route follows an adapted British curriculum, progressing through Cambridge International, IGCSEs and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, within a multilingual and multicultural learning environment.

Nobel International School Algarve – Porches

One of Portugal’s largest international schools, Nobel Algarve has campuses in Lagoa and Almancil. The Lagoa campus follows the National Curriculum of England, with students progressing to IGCSEs before choosing A Levels or BTEC qualifications. The school also offers a Portuguese National Curriculum pathway.

Deutsche Schule Algarve – Silves

Deutsche Schule Algarve is a state-recognised German private school offering education from primary through secondary level. German is the main language of instruction, with Portuguese, English and French forming part of its multilingual programme. Students follow the German curriculum and work towards the internationally recognised German International Abitur within a small, intercultural school community.

Vale Verde International School – Lagos

Located near Lagos, Vale Verde International School follows the Cambridge International curriculum from primary through sixth form. Its distinctive bilingual primary programme combines the UK National Curriculum with Portuguese education, before students progress to IGCSEs and AS/A Levels. The school offers small classes and a diverse international learning environment.

Aljezur International School – Aljezur

Serving students aged 11 to 18 in the western Algarve, Aljezur International School follows the UK National Curriculum adapted to life in Portugal, leading to Cambridge IGCSEs with tutorial support for AS and A Levels. The school places a strong emphasis on small-group teaching, personalised learning, sustainability and environmental responsibility within an international community.

Madeira

International Sharing School – Funchal

An IB World School, International Sharing School – Madeira offers the full International Baccalaureate continuum from primary through secondary education. The school follows an inquiry-based approach, placing a strong emphasis on multilingual learning, intercultural understanding and developing internationally minded students within a diverse school community.

International School of Madeira – Funchal

Founded in 1997, the International School of Madeira provides a Cambridge-accredited English-language education for children aged three to 10. The school combines the Cambridge Early Years and Primary curriculum with a bilingual English and Portuguese programme, offering small class sizes and a supportive, family-oriented learning environment.