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International Schools Guide 2025

It’s always a challenge for expats to find the right school. WHEREVER helps with a round up of the latest news from Portugal’s International Schools.

The international schools market in Portugal continues to grow, offering an ever-expanding variety of options for families. The Lisbon region boasts the highest concentration of English-language international schools, with 29 schools. This is followed by the Algarve, which has 11 schools, the North with 4, and the Silver Coast with 3. These schools follow the American, British, or International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, either fully or partially.

As an education consultant and expert in the Portuguese schools market, I’m often asked, “Which are the best international schools?” While it’s a great question, it’s impossible to answer without knowing a family’s specific priorities. What one person considers the “best” school might not suit another.

How to Identify the Best School for Your Family

Create Your Wish List

Start by identifying and ranking the factors that matter most to your family. Consider curriculum, academic quality, pastoral care, extracurricular offerings, ease of integration, fees, and location.

Visit Schools and Ask Questions

Personally visit the schools you’re interested in and ask detailed questions. Gather as much information as possible to help you make an informed decision.

Seek Feedback but Stay Objective

While feedback from friends can be helpful, remember that what works for their family may not necessarily be right for yours.

Your expectations are likely shaped by your children’s previous schools. Reflect on what you loved about those schools and what you didn’t. This will help refine your wish list.

Start Early

The school selection process takes time. Begin as early as possible to research thoroughly and prepare for any required entrance exams. Keep in mind that international schools in Portugal typically allocate places in February or March.

Best of luck with your search!

"Every family – and even individual children within the same family – has unique needs and preferences."

Best of luck with your search!

Nathalie Willis-Davis

Founder & Educational Consultant at Tendoria
Tendoria.com

Our comprehensive School Guide gives you the best insight into options for your family.

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Greene’s College Oxford in Estoril

A levels, A level retakes, International A levels, GCSEs, IG...
1967
107 students
16-18 years old
Estoril
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IPS Cascais British International School

National Curriculum of England
Opened 1982
Around 350 Students
3 to 14 years
West of Lisbon
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Nobel Algarve British International School

National Curriculum for England, Portuguese Curriculum, iGCS...
Lagoa 1972 / Almancil 2020
1400+ students
3 to 18 years
Lagoa / Almancil
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Santo António International School

Cambridge Curriculum English National Curriculum up to Year ...
2013
300
4-18 years
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St. Dominic’s International School

International Baccalaureate IBO (PYP, MYP and DP)
1975
700
3 to 18 years
Cascais
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The Lisboan International School

2025
Capacity 1200. Currently planning 1 grade per school year for 2025/26
Age 3–15 from 2025. Age 3-18 from 2027.
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United Lisbon International School

Early Years’ Curriculum, International Primary Curriculum, I...
2020
600
Early Childhood (3yo) to Grade 12 (17-18 yo)
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Aspire International School

Bilingual Primary, Pearson Edexcel GCSE & A-level
2020
Approx 260
3 – 18 years
Aspire
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Astoria International School

National Portuguese Curriculum and the Cambridge Curriculum
2009
240 students
4 months - 14 years
Lisbon
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Colégio Internacional de Vilamoura (CIV)

Portuguese Studies follow the national curriculum, English S...
Opened 1984
650 students
3-18 years
Loulé
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Deutsche Schule Lissabon

German curriculum
1848
1100 students
3-18 years
Lisbon
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International Sharing School

IB Curriculum
Opened 1980
525+ students
4 months to 18 years
Lisbon
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Kairos Montessori

Cambridge International
2017
100 students
3-15 (admissions for ages 3-12)
Cascais/Sintra
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King’s College School Cascais

International; Cambridge; IB Diploma; Bilingual
2022
Approx 1200 students
1 to 18 years
Cascais
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Lycée Français Charles Lepierre

French national education program
1952
2000 students
3-18 years old
Lisbon
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Oeiras International School

IB - International Baccalaureate (PYP, MYP and DP)
2010
460 students
6-18 years
Lisbon
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Redbridge International School

Early Years Plurilingual education. Primary: FR or PT Intern...
2009
520
3-16 years
Lisbon
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Sapienti International School (SIS)

Cambridge International
Opened 2018
44 students
13-18 years
Cascais
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St Julian’s School

English National Curriculum or Bi-lingual Programme culminat...
1932
1,200 students
3 to 18 years
Setúbal
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St. Peter’s International School

Bilingual, National Portuguese; Cambridge; IB Diploma
1993
1,530
4 months-18 years
Setúbal
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TASIS Portugal

Core Knowledge PK-8, IGCSE 9-10 (in the future), IB 11-12
Opened 2020
520 students
3-15 years
Sintra