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International schools in Portugal

69 internationally accredited schools

The market in brief

The ranking holds 69 schools in Portugal with an international accreditation or an authorised programme. IB programmes at 17 of them. Cambridge, IGCSE and A-Level, at 46. A preschool section at 57. A year of school costs from €1 700 to €26 760.

4 schools publish a monthly fee rather than a yearly one and do not say how many payments they charge over a school year. We count such a year as ten payments: that is the number charged by the schools that do state it, and that is how long the school year runs in most countries of the ranking.

Cities: Lisbon (13) · Cascais (8) · Porto (6) · Sintra (6) · Funchal (3) · Oeiras (3) · Palmela (2) · Braga (2) · Seixal (2) · Almancil (2) · Estoril (2) · Idanha-a-Nova (1) · Caldas da Rainha (1) · Amadora (1) · São Domingos de Rana (1) · Ramada (1) · Porto Salvo (1) · Aljezur (1) · Tavira (1) · Carcavelos (1) · Almada (1) · Argoncilhe (1) · Marinha Grande (1) · Luz (1) · Barcarena (1) · Corroios (1) · Lagoa (1) · Vilamoura (1) · Loulé (1) · Vila Nova de Gaia (1) · Torres Vedras (1)

Portugal next to other countries in the ranking

The median fee for a year of school in Portugal is $12 755. That is 16th for affordability out of 27 countries in the ranking. A comparison only means anything at a single exchange rate, so every figure is converted to dollars from one weekly snapshot.

CountryMedian a yearSchoolsWith an IB programme
Paraguay$4 622956%
Tajikistan$4 996130%
Bosnia and Herzegovina$5 162933%
Kyrgyzstan$6 324277%
Uzbekistan$6 5254719%
Chile$7 4985864%
Georgia$7 8972917%
Azerbaijan$8 8242836%
Lithuania$9 8743853%
Kazakhstan$10 0268926%
Armenia$10 2951533%
Argentina$10 29720927%
Cyprus$11 5013928%
Uruguay$11 6383531%
Latvia$12 0821479%
Portugal$12 7556925%
UAE$13 04341215%
Estonia$13 0526100%
Montenegro$13 313933%
Croatia$14 1151656%
Serbia$15 1012227%
Thailand$15 60120920%
Brazil$16 85519848%
Vietnam$17 56614417%
Slovenia$20 1211182%
Turkey$20 46924546%
Israel$29 1881540%

The median is steadier than the average: one school charging three times the rest does not shift it. It is taken from the top of a school's fee range, that is from the senior stage, which is what families budget for. Free state schools are left out of the median, or it would stop answering the question of what you pay.

What a school in Portugal costs

Cheapest$1 975 a yearEscola da A.P.E.L.
Median$12 755 a yeartop of the fee range at 37 schools with a published fee
Most expensive$31 087 a yearInternational Sharing School Lisbon

Figures are converted to dollars at a weekly rate; schools publish their fees in their own currency. One-off charges, meals, transport and uniform are not included unless the school says otherwise. Fees for schools in Portugal are taken from published price lists, not from what third parties say.

Why some schools in Portugal do not publish a fee

54 % of schools in Portugal name a fee on their own site (37 of 69). Across the whole ranking of 2015 schools it is 41 %. We read every school's site and worked out what schools write instead of a sum, and why openness follows the country and the network rather than the school: the study of school fees →

Private schools in Portugal

68 of the 69 schools in the ranking are private. The other 1 is a state school, set out below. The type of school does not affect the score: private and state schools sit in one list and are scored by the same formula, and only verifiable data moves the number.

State schools in Portugal

1 school with an international accreditation is funded by the state: Lycée français Charles-Lepierre. Admission to these schools is usually competitive, and tuition is free or markedly cheaper than at a private school. In the ranking they stand alongside private schools and are scored on the same nine criteria.

Schools with IB and Cambridge programmes in Portugal

Schools in Portugal with an IB programme (17): Colégio João Paulo II, Colégio Internacional de Vilamoura, St. Julian's School, Carlucci American International School of Lisbon, St. Dominic's International School, TASIS Portugal, International Sharing School Lisbon, Oporto British School, PaRK International School, Oeiras International School, King's College School, Cascais, St. Peter's International School, Colégio Atlântico, Colégio Planalto, Colégio Mira Rio, International Sharing School - Madeira, Escola da A.P.E.L.. 4 of them run the full three-stage cycle: PYP, MYP and DP. Authorisation is confirmed against the International Baccalaureate register.

The British Cambridge programme - IGCSE and A-Level - is taught at 46 schools in Portugal: Colégio João Paulo II, Colégio Internacional de Vilamoura, St. Julian's School, CLIP - Oporto International School, Colégio Santiago Internacional, TASIS Portugal, Aljezur International School, Escola Internacional de Torres Vedras, Colégio Tickles, Oporto British School, PaRK International School, Colégio Luso Internacional de Braga, Colégio de S. Tomás, Colégio Júlio Dinis, King's College School, Cascais, St. Peter's International School, NOBEL Algarve British International School - Lagoa, Bright International School, Prime School Estoril, Aprendizes, Astoria International School, Prime School International - Campus Lisbon, Sapienti International School, Seixal International School, Colégio Guadalupe, IPS Cascais British International School, Nobel Algarve British International School - Almancil, The British School of Lisbon, Oceanus International School, Vale Verde International School, Hypha International School, Leiria International School, Almada International School, Beyond International School, The Lisboan International School, Aspire International School, Colégio Rainha D. Leonor, Clarity International School, SAIS - Santo António International School of Estoril, Redbridge International School, The International School of Madeira, Kairos Montessori, International School of Palmela, Prime School Sintra, EGI International, St. James' School & St. George's School.

Best schools in Portugal: ranked on data anyone can check

1Colégio João Paulo IIBraga, PortugalSchool in the registers of IB, Cambridge≈ $4 792–10 479 a year · 4 125–9 020 EUR · Pre-School from 4 months78.08/9 criteria2Colégio Internacional de VilamouraVilamoura, PortugalSchool in the registers of IB, CambridgePart of the network Inspired≈ $7 458–17 367 a year · 6 420–14 950 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years76.18/9 criteria3St. Julian's SchoolCarcavelos, PortugalSchool in the registers of IB, CIS, COBIS, CambridgePrice on request · Pre-School from 3 years75.87/9 criteria4CLIP - Oporto International SchoolPorto, PortugalSchool in the registers of CIS, CambridgePart of the network DukesPrice on request · Pre-School from 3 years75.77/9 criteria5Colégio Santiago InternacionalTavira, PortugalSchool in the register of Pearson≈ $5 640–8 850 a year · 4 855–7 618 EUR75.58/9 criteria6Carlucci American International School of LisbonSintra, PortugalSchool in the registers of IB, MSA, College Board≈ $14 089–27 337 a year · 12 128–23 532 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years75.38/9 criteria7St. Dominic's International SchoolSão Domingos de Rana, PortugalSchool in the registers of IB, NEASCPart of the network International Schools PartnershipPrice on request · Pre-School from 3 years74.97/9 criteria8TASIS PortugalSintra, PortugalSchool in the registers of IB, Cambridge≈ $15 110–28 239 a year · 13 007–24 308 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years74.58/9 criteria9Aljezur International SchoolAljezur, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $8 364–9 410 a year · 7 200–8 100 EUR73.38/9 criteria10Escola Internacional de Torres VedrasTorres Vedras, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $4 101–16 101 a year · 353–1 386 EUR a month · Pre-School from 4 months73.08/9 criteria11International Sharing School LisbonPorto Salvo, PortugalSchool in the register of IBPart of the network Dukes≈ $13 696–31 087 a year · 11 790–26 760 EUR · Pre-School from 1 year72.98/9 criteria12Colégio TicklesPorto, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $6 581–6 709 a year · 5 665–5 775 EUR · Pre-School from 4 months72.88/9 criteria13Oporto British SchoolPorto, PortugalSchool in the registers of IB, CIS, COBIS, BSO, Cambridge≈ $11 071–20 411 a year · 9 530–17 570 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years72.68/9 criteria14PaRK International SchoolAmadora, PortugalSchool in the registers of IB, CambridgePart of the network InspiredPrice on request · Pre-School from 1 year72.67/9 criteria15Oeiras International SchoolOeiras, PortugalSchool in the registers of IB, CIS≈ $15 738–25 224 a year · 13 547–21 713 EUR72.68/9 criteria16Colégio Luso Internacional de BragaBraga, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePart of the network Dukes≈ $6 529–9 816 a year · 562–845 EUR a month · Pre-School from 3 years72.48/9 criteria17Colégio de S. TomásLisbon, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $6 325–7 807 a year · 544.5–672 EUR a month · Pre-School from 3 years72.48/9 criteria18Colégio Júlio DinisPorto, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePart of the network Dukes≈ $5 175–6 900 a year · 4 455–5 940 EUR · Pre-School from a few months72.48/9 criteria19Lycée français international de PortoPorto, PortugalSchool in the register of AEFE≈ $6 260–7 685 a year · 5 389–6 615 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years71.98/9 criteria20King's College School, CascaisCascais, PortugalSchool in the registers of IB, CambridgePart of the network Inspired≈ $13 655–25 267 a year · 11 754–21 750 EUR · Pre-School from 1 year71.88/9 criteria21St. Peter's International SchoolPalmela, PortugalSchool in the registers of IB, CambridgePart of the network InspiredPrice on request · Pre-School from 4 months71.47/9 criteria22NOBEL Algarve British International School - LagoaLagoa, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePart of the network GlobeducatePrice on request · Pre-School from 3 years71.47/9 criteria23Colégio AtlânticoSeixal, PortugalSchool in the register of IB≈ $4 926–9 061 a year · 424–780 EUR a month · Pre-School from 3 months71.38/9 criteria24Bright International SchoolLoulé, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $9 003–17 844 a year · 7 750–15 360 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years71.08/9 criteria25Prime School EstorilEstoril, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $13 110–25 743 a year · 11 285–22 160 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years70.98/9 criteria26Colégio PlanaltoLisbon, PortugalSchool in the register of IBPrice on request · Pre-School70.57/9 criteria27AprendizesCascais, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePrice on request · Pre-School from 3 years69.77/9 criteria28Astoria International SchoolLisbon, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $8 016–8 025 a year · 6 900–6 908 EUR · Pre-School69.58/9 criteria29Prime School International - Campus LisbonLisbon, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $13 110–25 743 a year · 11 285–22 160 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years69.38/9 criteria30Colégio Mira RioLisbon, PortugalSchool in the register of IBPrice on request · Pre-School69.07/9 criteria31Sapienti International SchoolCascais, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $7 969–18 785 a year · 6 860–16 170 EUR69.08/9 criteria32Seixal International SchoolSeixal, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $4 235–4 851 a year · 3 645.36–4 175.76 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years68.98/9 criteria33Colégio GuadalupeCorroios, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePrice on request · Pre-School from 3 years68.97/9 criteria34International Sharing School - MadeiraFunchal, PortugalSchool in the register of IB≈ $7 110–15 265 a year · 6 120–13 140 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years67.78/9 criteria35IPS Cascais British International SchoolCascais, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePart of the network Globeducate≈ $12 836–20 691 a year · 11 049–17 811 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years67.78/9 criteria36Nobel Algarve British International School - AlmancilAlmancil, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePart of the network GlobeducatePrice on request · Pre-School from 3 years67.77/9 criteria37Lycée français Charles-LepierreLisbon, PortugalSchool in the register of AEFE≈ $7 084–9 626 a year · 6 098–8 286 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years67.78/9 criteria38The British School of LisbonLisbon, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePart of the network DukesPrice on request · Pre-School67.67/9 criteria39Oceanus International SchoolVila Nova de Gaia, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePrice on request · Pre-School67.67/9 criteria40Vale Verde International SchoolLuz, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePrice on request67.47/9 criteria41Escola da A.P.E.L.Funchal, PortugalSchool in the register of IB≈ $1 975–2 904 a year · 1 700–2 500 EUR67.48/9 criteria42Hypha International SchoolSintra, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePrice on request · Pre-School from 3 years67.27/9 criteria43Leiria International SchoolMarinha Grande, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePrice on request · Pre-School67.17/9 criteria44Deutsche Schule PortoPorto, PortugalSchool in the register of ZfATakes part in the programme PASCH≈ $5 787–7 037 a year · 4 981.5–6 057.75 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years67.18/9 criteria45Almada International SchoolAlmada, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $8 920–12 755 a year · 7 678–10 980 EUR · Pre-School from 1 year66.98/9 criteria46Beyond International SchoolBarcarena, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $10 467–13 708 a year · 9 010–11 800 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years66.88/9 criteria47The Lisboan International SchoolLisbon, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $11 919–25 093 a year · 10 260–21 600 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years66.78/9 criteria48Aspire International SchoolAlmancil, PortugalSchool in the registers of Pearson, CambridgePrice on request · Pre-School from 3 years66.57/9 criteria49Colégio Rainha D. LeonorCaldas da Rainha, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePrice on request · Pre-School66.47/9 criteria50Clarity International SchoolOeiras, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePrice on request · Pre-School from 3 years66.27/9 criteria51SAIS - Santo António International School of EstorilEstoril, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePrice on request · Pre-School from 2 years66.07/9 criteria52Redbridge International SchoolLisbon, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePrice on request · Pre-School from 3 years65.37/9 criteria53The International School of MadeiraFunchal, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $3 137–3 834 a year · 2 700–3 300 EUR · Pre-School from 3.5 years64.88/9 criteria54Kairos MontessoriCascais, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePrice on request · Pre-School from 3 years64.87/9 criteria55International School of PalmelaPalmela, PortugalSchool in the registers of Cambridge, PearsonPrice on request · Pre-School from 1 year64.77/9 criteria56Prime School SintraSintra, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $13 110–20 307 a year · 11 285–17 480 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years64.78/9 criteria57International Christian School of CascaisCascais, PortugalMembership of ACSIPrice on request · Pre-School64.67/9 criteria58EGI InternationalOeiras, PortugalSchool in the register of Cambridge≈ $13 773–15 539 a year · 11 856–13 376 EUR · Pre-School from 18 months63.98/9 criteria59Deutsche Schule LissabonLisbon, PortugalSchool in the register of ZfATakes part in the programme PASCH≈ $9 741–10 008 a year · 8 385–8 615 EUR · Pre-School from 3 years63.28/9 criteria60Lisbon Montessori SchoolCascais, PortugalSchool in the register of MSA≈ $7 888–11 373 a year · 6 790–9 790 EUR · Pre-School from 2.83 years62.78/9 criteria61St. James' School & St. George's SchoolCascais, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePrice on request62.37/9 criteria62Colégio Cesário VerdeLisbon, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePart of the network SEKPrice on request · Pre-School62.17/9 criteria63Colégio das Terras de Santa MariaArgoncilhe, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePrice on request61.27/9 criteria64L'École TrilingueLisbon, PortugalMembership of AEFE≈ $8 132–11 036 a year · 7 000–9 500 EUR · Pre-School from 2 years61.28/9 criteria65Clonlara School IdanhaIdanha-a-Nova, PortugalCandidate for accreditation by MSAPrice on request61.17/9 criteria66United Lisbon International SchoolLisbon, PortugalSchool in the register of NEASCPart of the network DukesPrice on request · Pre-School from 3 years60.97/9 criteria67PRUNUS International SchoolSintra, PortugalSchool in the register of CambridgePrice on request59.37/9 criteria68Sintra International Christian AcademySintra, PortugalMembership of ACSIPrice on request59.27/9 criteria69Greater Lisbon Christian AcademyRamada, PortugalMembership of ACSIPrice on request58.27/9 criteria

Facilities at schools in Portugal

A facility counts only when the school names it outright on its own site: a modern campus is not a swimming pool. Swimming pool: 5 schools · Boarding: 2 schools · School transport: 23 schools.

How to compare schools in Portugal

Comparing schools on a single feature is useless: the most expensive is not the best, and a famous name says nothing about what is backed by documents. The score is therefore built from nine criteria with different weights - from academic programmes and accreditation to facilities, clubs and fees relative to other schools in the country.

A criterion counts towards the score only when there is verifiable data behind it. That is why every score says how many of the nine criteria were counted: at schools in Portugal that is 7.5 out of 9 on average. A school with a detailed site and a school with no site cannot earn an equally reliable score, and that is shown rather than hidden.

Ratings and reviews from Google Maps, Yandex Maps and 2GIS are not used: their terms forbid aggregation. Only verified reviews left here count. Full methodology →

Frequently asked questions

How many international schools are there in Portugal?

The ranking holds 69 schools with an international accreditation or an authorised programme: Lisbon - 13, Cascais - 8, Porto - 6, Sintra - 6, Funchal - 3, Oeiras - 3, Palmela - 2, Braga - 2, Seixal - 2, Almancil - 2, Estoril - 2, Idanha-a-Nova - 1, Caldas da Rainha - 1, Amadora - 1, São Domingos de Rana - 1, Ramada - 1, Porto Salvo - 1, Aljezur - 1, Tavira - 1, Carcavelos - 1, Almada - 1, Argoncilhe - 1, Marinha Grande - 1, Luz - 1, Barcarena - 1, Corroios - 1, Lagoa - 1, Vilamoura - 1, Loulé - 1, Vila Nova de Gaia - 1, Torres Vedras - 1. Every school says where its accreditation came from: found in a public register, confirmed by a document from the school, or claimed by the school with nothing behind it. We do not hide a claim, but it does not go into the score.

Is an international school in Portugal expensive next to other countries?

The median fee in Portugal is $12 755 a year. That is 16th for affordability out of 27 countries in the ranking. Cheaper: Paraguay, Tajikistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Chile, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Argentina, Cyprus, Uruguay, Latvia. The comparison only holds inside one year: all fees are converted into dollars at one weekly rate.

Are there free schools with an international programme in Portugal?

Our list holds none in Portugal: all 69 schools with an international accreditation charge a fee. If a state school with an authorised programme appears, it will enter the ranking on equal terms with private ones.

How do you check that a school really holds its accreditation?

We look the school up in the public register of the organisation itself. There are ten such registers today: International Baccalaureate, Cambridge International, CIS, NEASC, COBIS, AEFE, MSA (Middle States Association), Cognia, Pearson Edexcel and the network of German schools abroad. The list grows with the geography of the ranking: a new country usually has an organisation of its own. An accreditation found in a register is marked green and goes into the score. One confirmed only by a document from the school is yellow, and weighs less. One claimed in words is red, and the school's accreditation score is then the lowest. Membership of a network or an association is counted apart: a school joins a network, but earns an accreditation, so membership weighs one step lower. That is why a school calling itself international and a school standing in the ranking are two different things.

Other countries: UAE · Turkey · Argentina · Thailand · Brazil · Vietnam · Kazakhstan · Chile · Uzbekistan · Cyprus · Lithuania · Uruguay · Georgia · Azerbaijan · Kyrgyzstan · Serbia · Croatia · Armenia · Israel · Latvia · Tajikistan · Slovenia · Montenegro · Paraguay · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Estonia