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Affordable International Schools in Lisbon, Portugal

Edited by · Chief Marketing Officer

About international schools in Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon’s more affordable international schools tend to be a mix of English-medium and bilingual Portuguese-international providers that follow the International Baccalaureate, the English National Curriculum (leading to Cambridge IGCSEs), and a smaller number of American, French or German pathways. At the lower end you can find primary-level international or bilingual places from roughly €4,500 to about €11,000 a year, while the broader international sector typically lists mid-range tuitions around €9,600 - €18,000 and premium schools above that; expect additional one-off registration or building fees on top of published tuition. Admissions follow the Portuguese school calendar with a September start: many schools open applications and run open days in the autumn for the following school year, offer places on a rolling basis, and also admit mid-year where space allows. Practical issues for relocating families include getting the paperwork schools ask for (many Portuguese and international schools request a tax number/NIF or proof of residency and certified school records) and budgeting for extras such as uniforms, transport and exam or capital fees.

Compare 14 Affordable international schools in Lisbon, Portugal. Filter by curriculum, fees (average EUR 8,128), location, and more to find the right international school now.

At a glance 14 schools · avg fee EUR 8,128
Schools listed
14
Curricula
11
Average annual fee
EUR 8,128
Fee range
EUR 4,720 – 11,540
Most common curriculum
Bespoke Curriculum (6 schools)
Average school size
417 pupils
Largest by enrolment
Lycée Français Charles Lepiérre Lisbonne
Oldest
Deutsche Schule Lissabon (1848)
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FAQs for Portugal

What curricula and languages are most common in Lisbon’s affordable international schools?
Affordable international options in Lisbon are commonly English-medium or bilingual English - Portuguese and typically follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) or the English National Curriculum (Cambridge/IGCSE) at primary and secondary levels; there are also schools using American, French or German systems and models that phase in Portuguese language and culture. Check each school’s authorised programmes and language policy, because some schools teach most subjects in English while others deliver a true bilingual model.
How much should I budget for tuition and extra costs at an affordable international school in Lisbon?
Lower-fee international and bilingual schools in the Lisbon area can publish primary tuition roughly between €4,500 and €11,000 per year, while the wider market commonly falls between about €9,600 and €18,000; many higher-fee schools sit above that band. In addition to annual tuition expect one-off registration or capital/building fees, deposits, and recurring extras such as school lunches, transport, uniforms and exam fees - these can add several hundred to a few thousand euros in the first year.
When should we apply if we want a September start in Lisbon?
Most international schools in and around Lisbon follow the September - July academic year and open their recruitment cycle in the autumn of the year before entry, with many running open days from October to December and making offers on a rolling basis. Because exact dates vary by school, apply early for popular year groups and sign up for admissions newsletters; schools also commonly consider in-year transfers if they have space.
Do international school qualifications work for Portuguese university entry and how do ages/stages map to the Portuguese system?
Many international programmes (for example the IB Diploma or recognised national systems) are accepted by Portuguese universities, but families should check specific equivalence rules and whether the school provides the paperwork for credential recognition. Age-by-stage broadly aligns with Portugal’s system (early years, primary, lower secondary, upper secondary), yet subject choices and final exams differ, so confirm equivalency and any Portuguese language or curricular requirements if university in Portugal is a likely outcome.
What should families prioritise when choosing an affordable international school in Lisbon?
Prioritise fit over price: confirm the school’s authorised curriculum and exam pathways, the actual language of instruction and support for learners new to English or Portuguese, class sizes and learning-support provision, and the full first-year cost breakdown (tuition plus compulsory fees). Visit at an open day, ask for recent inspection/accreditation information and sample timetables, and check how the school manages transfers and records (important for visa, NIF and university equivalence processes).