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Most popular international schools in Portugal

· updated monthly

The ten schools Portugal parents researched most this year, chosen from the 81 international schools in the country. Ranked by how many families opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between July 2025 and June 2026, then the full picture on curricula, class sizes and fees.

81
International schools
inc. 3 boarding
€11.2K
Average school fee
For a 12 yr old
741
Average school size
30 – 2,240 students
18.4
Average class size
Range 2 - 45

The 2026 ranking

Portugal’s ten most-researched schools

Ranked purely by parent interest — the number of families who opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between July 2025 and June 2026.

1 King's College School Cascais — international school in Lisbon

King's College School Cascais

King's College School Cascais is a private international school in Portugal offering a blended Cambridge-IGCSE curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and A-Levels pathway for senior students. The school delivers Cambridge International Primary and Secondary curricula up to Year 11, complemented by a bilingual Portuguese-English stream through Year 5. In Years 12 and 13, students may choose between the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and A-Levels, while the school is pursuing authorization to offer the IB Diploma Programme as a candidate IB World School. The new private campus, inaugurated in September 2025 on a 40,000 m² site, provides university-grade science laboratories, technology-rich classrooms, and spacious performing and visual arts studios. A Boarding House for up to 50 students aged 13–18 offers a safe residential experience. The curriculum is enhanced by the Inspired global network, exchanges and collaborations, and sport facilities including a 25 m pool and full-size pitches for student wellbeing.

€6.0K €29.1K
🏷️ €11,754 – 21,750 / year
😊 Ages 1 to 18
📖 Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP), Cambridge A Levels
📍 Lisbon
2 Leiria International School — international school in Leiria

Leiria International School

Leiria International School serves students aged 3 to 18 with a Cambridge curriculum from Early Years through A/AS Levels, taught entirely in English. The programme encompasses Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Secondary, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels, complemented by a Reggio Emilia Approach in the early years. The first LIS campus is located in Marinha Grande, in a historic building dating from 1966 that has been renovated for modern use. Learning spaces are designed to support the whole person—physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development. Outdoor learning is central, with projects that integrate nature and community engagement. The interior design emphasizes transparency and movement, with flexible spaces prepared for project-based learning and integrated digital technology. The campus aims to feel like a welcoming home while maintaining clear academic standards. All instruction is in English, and LIS is an accredited Cambridge International program provider.

🏷️ Fees not listed
😊 Ages 3 to 18
📖 Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
📍 Leiria
3 CLIB - The Braga International School — international school in Braga

CLIB - The Braga International School

CLIB - The Braga International School offers education for ages 3 to 18 in Braga, Portugal, delivering a British-based curriculum with Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS/A Levels (AICE Diploma). English is the principal language of teaching, with Portuguese guiding languages for the curriculum; Spanish is compulsory from Form 5. Lower and Early Upper School follow the English National Curriculum, while the Upper School aligns with Cambridge examinations to facilitate university access in Portugal and abroad. Founded in 1999, CLIB is coed, non-denominational institution within a Lusinternational network and maintains connections with ECIS, emphasizing equivalency with national and international education systems. The school operates with eight fundamental pedagogic beginnings: Academic Excellence; Learning to Learn; Team Work; Diversity and Trans-Cultural Education; Ethical and Moral Development; Individual Interests and Necessities; Joint Decision Taking; Expressive Arts. It integrates research projects, thematic work, and a democratic, inclusive learning community that involves students, families and staff worldwide.

🏷️ Fees not listed
😊 Ages 3 to 18
📖 Bespoke Curriculum, British Curriculum
📍 Braga
4 International School of Palmela — international school in Setubal

International School of Palmela

International School of Palmela serves learners aged 5 to 18 in an international setting. The school integrates the British Curriculum with an Islamic Curriculum, providing a clear framework for primary through secondary education. This dual-curriculum approach supports students as they progress from early years through senior years, with assessments aligned to British standards while incorporating Islamic studies where appropriate. The school fosters an inclusive, culturally respectful community, enabling pupils from diverse backgrounds to engage with global perspectives alongside religious education. Instruction emphasizes core subjects, critical thinking, and personal development within an ethical framework. Families seeking an internationally oriented program that respects Islamic values will find continuity across the key stages. The school prepares students for further study worldwide, offering guidance and support for transitions to higher education and empowering them to contribute responsibly in a global society. The school emphasizes a collaborative learning culture and respectful values in daily life.

🏷️ Fees not listed
😊 Ages 5 to 18
📖 Bespoke Curriculum, British Curriculum
📍 Setubal
5 St. Julian's School — international school in Lisbon

St. Julian's School

St. Julian's School is a British international school in Greater Lisbon, Portugal, welcoming students from ages 3 to 18 and international families worldwide. It has educated region since 1932 and offers pathways: English Curriculum and Bilingual Curriculum. The English pathway follows the National Curriculum for England from Nursery to Year 13, leads to GCSEs in Year 11, and provides IB Diploma or Career-related Programme in Years 12–13. The Bilingual Curriculum teaches the Portuguese National Curriculum in English and Portuguese for ages 6–15, with a foundation to GCSE before IB Year 12. Portuguese is compulsory to Year 9 in both routes. The school is accredited by CIS, COBIS, NEASC and the International Baccalaureate Organisation, and its Head is a member of the Heads' Conference. Its 18th-century palace sits on grounds at Carcavelos beach, with a €50 million Second Century project enhancing facilities and green spaces. Activities include MUN, Eco-Schools and CAS.

€6.0K €29.1K
🏷️ €12,384 – 29,097 / year
😊 Ages 3 to 18
📖 British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme)
📍 Lisbon
6 St. Peters International School — international school in Setubal

St. Peters International School

St. Peters International School is a co-educational international school in Palmela, Portugal, serving students from four months to 18 years, including a on-campus boarding residence for ages 14–18. Founded in 1993 by Isabel and Armando Simão, it joined Inspired Education Group in 2019, becoming part of a global network of premium schools. The 37,000 m² campus houses modern classrooms, science laboratories, Music and Art rooms, a contemporary auditorium, and expansive green spaces, plus two tennis courts, astroturf pitches for football and rugby, and a dedicated sports pavilion. English is the language of instruction, with Spanish and Mandarin offered as additional languages. From Primary to Secondary, learning follows two pathways: the Portuguese Pathway (National Curriculum, bilingual learning) and an International Pathway delivering Cambridge, IGCSE, and the IB Diploma Programme. A bilingual Preschool serves 0–5 years. The school emphasizes values like citizenship and community, offering 100+ extracurricular activities to enrich studies. Preparing students for higher education.

€6.0K €29.1K
🏷️ €7,950 – 17,280 / year
😊 Ages 0 to 18
📖 Dutch Curriculum, IB (DP), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE
📍 Setubal
7 Almada International School — international school in Lisbon

Almada International School

Almada International School delivers the Cambridge Primary through Lower Secondary curriculum, and is Cambridge Curriculum Certified. The school teaches in English and Portuguese with bilingual instruction that supports fluency in both languages and alignment with the national curriculum in the early years. Cambridge Primary and Cambridge Lower Secondary programmes form the core, with a future pathway toward IGCSEs and the IB Diploma Programme. In Lower Secondary four languages are taught—Portuguese, English, French and AI/digital literacy—and Computing promotes digital competence with a zero-screens approach. The campus emphasizes active, project-based learning and outdoor experiences through the AIS Nature & Farm, with wellbeing integrated as a daily priority. Facilities include outdoor spaces designed to stimulate creativity and interaction with nature. Meals are included and offered with a Mediterranean-based menu including vegetarian and vegan options. The school prepares students for international higher education through interdisciplinary study and real-world application across subjects and global perspectives.

€6.0K €29.1K
🏷️ €7,205 – 8,756 / year
😊 Ages 1 to 13
📖 Bespoke Curriculum, British Curriculum
📍 Lisbon
8 Vilamoura International School — international school in Algarve

Vilamoura International School

Vilamoura International School, founded in 1984 as Colégio Internacional de Vilamoura, is a private international school in the Algarve serving ages 3 to 18. The school offers two curricula: Portuguese Studies following the Portuguese national curriculum and English Studies based on a British international framework. The English pathway follows the British National Curriculum in Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary and IGCSE, culminating in IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. The Portuguese pathway includes national examinations in Grades 9 and 12. CIV is a Cambridge International Examination centre and an Alliance Française centre, reflecting a bilingual, multilingual approach. Early language learning includes Portuguese, English and French, with opportunities to study Spanish, German and Russian as extracurricular activities. English-exposure students receive EAL support to help integrate. The campus spans 27,000 m² with outdoors, science labs, Music and Art rooms, ballet studio, gymnasiums, astroturf field and multiple courts. CIV is part of Inspired Education.

€6.0K €29.1K
🏷️ €5,950 – 13,950 / year
😊 Ages 3 to 18
📖 IB (DP), British Curriculum
📍 Algarve
9 St. Dominic's International School — international school in Lisbon

St. Dominic's International School

St. Dominic's International School is an IB World School in Portugal offering the full IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) for students aged 3 to 18. The Primary Years Programme runs Nursery to Grade 5 as a transdisciplinary, inquiry‑based programme organized around six themes. The Middle Years Programme covers Grades 6–10, using Global Contexts and including Service as Action and the Personal Project across eight subject groups. The Diploma Programme is for Grades 11–12, with core elements Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Action and Service and the Extended Essay, alongside a range of DP courses. The campus sits in a green setting about 25 kilometres from Lisbon. Facilities include 82 classrooms, two libraries, science, technology and computer labs, art, music and drama rooms and two multi‑use gymnasiums for football, basketball, volleyball, tennis and badminton. The SDIS Educational Garden supports outdoor learning, complemented by an arts program and EAL support for international students.

€6.0K €29.1K
🏷️ €11,500 – 22,000 / year
😊 Ages 3 to 18
📖 IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
📍 Lisbon
10 Vale Verde International School — international school in Algarve

Vale Verde International School

Vale Verde International School is an international school in Luz-Lagos, Portugal, serving students aged 5 to 18 in the Western Algarve. The Primary program is bilingual (60% English, 40% Portuguese), with core literacy, numeracy and science taught in English. The Cambridge curriculum guides the Secondary School from Year 7 to Year 13, leading to Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS and A Levels, with Pearson Edexcel IGCSE also offered. The Cambridge Pathway extends from Year 1 to Year 13, and Cambridge Checkpoint assessments monitor progress at the end of Year 6 and Year 9. Vale Verde is an ABRSM examination centre for practical and theory music exams, with on-site music lessons available in the evenings and at weekends. After-school clubs include Chess, Capoeira, Animation, Volleyball, Football, Arts & Crafts, and Portuguese and French. The school hosts a diverse community with 27 nationalities represented and has limited facilities for students with special educational needs.

€6.0K €29.1K
🏷️ €7,143 – 12,408 / year
😊 Ages 5 to 18
📖 Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
📍 Algarve

What’s on offer

Curricula & languages in Portugal

The mix of programmes and teaching languages across all 81 schools. Many offer more than one curriculum, so totals run higher than the school count.

Most popular curricula

Number of schools teaching each curriculum.

Cambridge
44
British
29
IB
21
American
10
International
8
Other
13

Languages of instruction

Number of schools teaching in each language.

English
74
Portuguese
48
French
5
German
3
Dutch
1
Other
1

Size & classes

How big are the schools, and the classes?

School size and class size shape day-to-day experience as much as curriculum does.

School size, by students

Schools grouped by total enrolment.

Avg 741
8
6
6
14
5
7
0–100100–250250–500500–1,0001,000–2,0002,000+

Average school size is 741 students · based on the 46 schools that report enrolment.

Class size

Schools grouped by typical class size.

Avg 18.4
2
29
18
1
1
0–910–1920–2930–3940–49

Average class size is 18.4 students · based on the 51 schools that report it.

What it costs

Annual fees in Portugal

Fees shown are one year for a 12-year-old (or the closest age available), excluding one-time enrolment costs.

Fees at a glance

Across the 63 schools that publish a price for a 12-year-old. All figures in EUR.

Minimum
4
Average
11,165
Maximum
21,468

Schools by fee band

How many schools sit in each annual-fee range.

€4.0 – 7.2K
14
€7.2K – 14.3K
33
€14.3K – 21.5K
16

Keep exploring

Not sure which school fits your family?

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