International Schools in Lisbon: A Guide for Globally Mobile Families
Lisbon has become one of Europe's most sought-after bases for internationally mobile families. Mild climate, safety, good connectivity and a relatively affordable cost of living have drawn professionals, entrepreneurs and remote workers from across the world — and the city's international-school sector has expanded quickly to meet the demand, with several new English-medium campuses opening since 2020.
This hub guide gives you the overall map: how Lisbon's international schools are organised by curriculum and location, what to expect on fees and admissions, and where to go next for detail. It is written for families relocating from anywhere, not only from Britain — Global Investments works with internationally mobile clients worldwide, and education is one of the first questions most families ask.
Why Lisbon for an international education?
Lisbon offers an unusually broad choice of curricula for a city its size. Families can keep continuity with a British, American, IB or bilingual pathway, which matters enormously when a child has already moved once or twice. Class sizes are generally modest, English is widely spoken among staff and students, and most schools are used to mid-year arrivals.
The schools cluster in a few areas. The coastal corridor west of the city — Oeiras, Carcavelos, Estoril and Cascais — holds many of the long-established names, drawn by greener space and proximity to the sea. Sintra, inland to the north-west, is home to the city's main American school. Within Lisbon itself, Restelo and Belém in the west and Parque das Nações in the east have become hubs for newer campuses. Our companion guide on the best areas in Lisbon near international schools covers the trade-offs in detail.
The main curricula
| Curriculum | What it leads to | Typical examples in Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| British | IGCSE then A-Levels | St. Julian's, The British School of Lisbon, Astoria, The Lisboan |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | PYP, MYP and the IB Diploma | St. Dominic's, United Lisbon, CAISL (alongside US diploma) |
| American | US high-school diploma (plus IB) | Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL) |
| Bilingual / dual | English and Portuguese pathways | Redbridge, PaRK International |
Several schools blend systems — for example offering a British primary programme that feeds into the IB Diploma, or a US diploma sat alongside the IB. Our guides on British schools in Lisbon, IB schools in Lisbon and GCSEs and A-Levels in Lisbon go deeper on each route.
A snapshot of established schools
- St. Julian's School (Carcavelos) — the oldest British school in Portugal, founded in 1932, offering the British curriculum, the IB and a Portuguese section for ages 3–18.
- Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL, Sintra) — a US-style programme from PreK to Grade 12, with both a high-school diploma and the IB Diploma.
- St. Dominic's International School (São Domingos de Rana, near Cascais) — a long-established full IB continuum school (PYP, MYP, DP).
- The British School of Lisbon — English National Curriculum with Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels, across central and Restelo campuses.
- United Lisbon International School (Parque das Nações) — a modern campus opened in 2020 running the IB programmes in English.
- Redbridge School (Campo de Ourique / Tapada da Ajuda) and PaRK International School — bilingual and IB-influenced options within the city.
New entrants continue to appear — The Lisboan, for instance, opened in central Lisbon in September 2025 on the Cambridge curriculum. Because the landscape changes year to year, treat any list (including this one) as a starting point and verify current details with each school.
Fees, applications and waiting lists
Fees vary widely by school and year group. As a broad 2025/26 guide, expect annual tuition somewhere between roughly €6,000 and €30,000, plus registration, deposits and extras — see our dedicated international school fees in Lisbon guide for a structured breakdown.
The most in-demand schools and year groups can carry waiting lists, so families relocating on a fixed timeline should apply early. Our how to apply guide walks through the typical assessment, documentation and timeline.
Settling in
Choosing a school is only the first step. Children also need to adjust to a new country — the school year runs September to June, Portuguese is taught even in English-medium schools, and families must register for healthcare and residency. Our guide on settling your child into school in Lisbon covers the practical side, and for older students our university admissions guide explains UCAS, EU and Portuguese routes.
For the wider picture on living legally in Portugal, see our residency and citizenship overview, and browse all our guides for related relocation topics.
How Global Investments Can Help
Global Investments has supported internationally mobile families for more than three decades. Relocating well means looking beyond the school gate — at residency, tax efficiency, currency planning for fee payments and longer-term wealth structuring. Our advisers can coordinate with your chosen schools and immigration and tax specialists so that the financial side of a move to Lisbon is as smooth as the educational one. Contact us for a confidential, no-obligation conversation.
This guide is general information as of 2026, not tax, legal, immigration or educational advice; school details, fees and rules change frequently — verify current facts directly with each school and a qualified professional before acting.
Frequently asked questions
How many international schools are there in Lisbon?
Greater Lisbon — including the coastal corridor through Oeiras, Carcavelos, Estoril and Cascais, and Sintra inland — has well over a dozen established international schools, with several new English-medium campuses opening since 2020. They span British, American, International Baccalaureate (IB), Portuguese-bilingual and other curricula, so most families can find a school that matches their child's previous system.
What does it cost to send a child to an international school in Lisbon?
As a broad guide for the 2025/26 year, annual tuition at Lisbon's international schools typically ranges from around €6,000 at the lower end to roughly €25,000–€30,000 at the most established senior schools, before registration fees, enrolment deposits, lunches and extras. Costs rise with year group. Always confirm the current published fee schedule directly with each school.
Do we need residency in Portugal before our child can start school?
EU/EEA and Swiss families have free movement and can settle without a visa. Non-EU families (including UK passport holders since Brexit) generally need a residence permit or long-stay visa. International schools admit children regardless of nationality, but legal residence affects your stay, tax position and access to public services, so take professional advice early.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and regulations change frequently; verify current requirements with a qualified adviser before acting.