The international schools foreign families actually choose in Portugal

How to use this guide

Start with the curriculum, not the campus. British schools point at UK universities, American ones at US universities. The IB is the most portable option if you might move again. The French and German schools are built for their own national systems. Pick for where your child will most likely study, not just where you live now.

Every fee below comes with the academic year it belongs to. Schools raise fees every year for inflation, so treat a 2026/27 figure as a snapshot, not a price you can hold them to. Treat headline tuition as the floor: add roughly 15 to 25% for extras (lunch, transport, uniforms, exam fees, deposits, re-enrolment). And watch for the one-off, non-refundable €5,000 capital levy at several flagship schools. It never shows up in the fee-range tables.

Where a school does not publish fees publicly, I say so instead of guessing. Where figures come from third-party guides instead of the school itself, that is flagged too.

Lisbon coast: Cascais, Carcavelos, Oeiras and Sintra

This is where most foreign families end up, and it shows: the densest cluster of international schools in the country sits along this coast.

#	School	Curriculum	Ages	Fees
1	St Julian's School, Carcavelos	British to IGCSE, then IB Diploma and IB Career-related Programme; bilingual English/Portuguese section.	3 to 18.	€12,693–€29,970 (2026/27)
2	CAISL (Carlucci American International School of Lisbon), Linhó, Sintra	US curriculum, US High School Diploma plus IB Diploma; AP courses offered.	3 to 18.	€12,128–€23,532 (2026/27)
3	TASIS Portugal, Quinta da Beloura, Sintra	American curriculum with British elements, IB Diploma; AP offered.	3 to 18.	€13,007–€24,308 (2026/27)
4	St Dominic's International School, São Domingos de Rana	Full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma). Founded 1954; part of the International Schools Partnership group.	3 to 18.	€11,778–€23,166 (2026/27)
5	Oeiras International School, Barcarena	Full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma). Founded 2010; a not-for-profit association.	5 to 18.	€13,980–€22,406 (2026/27)
6	PaRK International School, Alfragide, Restelo, Praça de Espanha, Cascais	Bilingual English/Portuguese early years, Cambridge International from Grade 5, IGCSE then A Levels or IB Diploma. Part of the Inspired Education Group.	1 to 18.	€9,830–€22,200 (2026/27)
7	King's College School, Cascais	Cambridge curriculum to Year 11, IB Diploma for Years 12–13; bilingual Portuguese/English to Year 5. Part of the Inspired Education Group. Opened September 2022.	1 to 18.	€12,500–€27,500 (2026/27)
8	Redbridge International School, Lisbon (Campo de Ourique and Tapada da Ajuda)	Two tracks: French International Programme (French national curriculum to the bilingual French baccalaureate) and Cambridge International Programme to IB Diploma. Trilingual EN/FR/PT environment.	3 to 17.	≈€9,000–€18,100 (2026/27)
9	Prime School, Belém, Linda-a-Velha, Estoril	Cambridge IGCSE, A Levels, plus a BTEC vocational option.	3 to 18.	€11,885–€22,760 (2026/27)
10	Saint Anthony's International School (SAIS), Estoril	British/Cambridge, IGCSE, A Level/AICE.	–	€10,950–€14,700 (2026/27)
11	IPS Cascais British International School, Bicesse	English National Curriculum, iGCSE, with A Levels planned.	3 to 18 (upper years progressively opening).	≈€11,049–€18,761 (2026/27)
12	Greene's College Oxford, Estoril	Tutorial model, IGCSE plus A Levels.	14 to 18 only.	€18,575–€24,360 (2026/27)
13	St. Peter's International School, Palmela	British plus Portuguese pathways, IGCSE and IB Diploma; boarding for ages 14–18.	4 months to 18.	€8,325–€18,200 day (2026/27)
14	International Sharing School, Taguspark (Oeiras)	Full IB continuum. Founded 2018.	4 months to 18 (the school's own claim; directories list 1–18).	€11,790–€26,760 (2026/27)

St Julian's School, Carcavelos

Curriculum: British to IGCSE, then IB Diploma and IB Career-related Programme; bilingual English/Portuguese section.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Size: about 1,250 pupils, 60+ nationalities. Founded 1932, the oldest and most established British school in Portugal.
Fees (2026/27, guide figures via the Good Schools Guide): €12,693 to €29,970, plus application €250, registration €750, a non-refundable capital levy of €5,000, exam fees and lunch around €9/day. One published all-in example reaches about €35,500 a year.

Benefits

The benchmark name. A big campus with actual grounds, deep ties into UK universities, and British continuity if the family moves on to Britain.

Reality check

The hardest school in Portugal to get into. Long waiting lists at some levels, admission by interview and test. Some of the newer schools have shinier facilities, and the first-year bill is heavy once the €5,000 levy lands on top of the fees.

CAISL (Carlucci American International School of Lisbon), Linhó, Sintra

Curriculum: US curriculum, US High School Diploma plus IB Diploma; AP courses offered.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Size: about 750 pupils, 62 nationalities (around 32% American). The only US State Department-sponsored school in Portugal.
Fees (official 2026/27): €12,128 (early years/kindergarten) to €23,532 (grades 9–12), plus registration €600 and a building fee of €1,953 per year for the first five years. Bus transport €1,816 to €3,632 a year.

Benefits

The American family school. The US curriculum means moving back into US schools and universities is frictionless, and the IB route covers the internationally minded. Strong multinational mix.

Reality check

Relocation guides report waiting lists of 12 to 18 months at popular grades (directional, not an official school figure). It is in Sintra, so the daily drive from Cascais or Lisbon is a real cost in time: budget for the bus or a car.

TASIS Portugal, Quinta da Beloura, Sintra

Curriculum: American curriculum with British elements, IB Diploma; AP offered.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Size: about 920 pupils, 69 nationalities. Opened September 2020 on a modern purpose-built campus.
Fees (2026/27, international-schools-database.com): €13,007 to €24,308, plus one-time application €100. A parenting guide estimates the true all-in cost at €28,000 to €35,000 per child per year.

Benefits

New campus, serious money spent on facilities, American plus IB pathway. The natural rival to CAISL for American-leaning families who want newer buildings.

Reality check

It is young, so the alumni network and university placement record are still thin next to St Julian's or CAISL. Same Sintra commute. And the all-in estimates diverge wildly from headline tuition, so get the full bill in writing before you commit.

St Dominic's International School, São Domingos de Rana

Curriculum: Full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma). Founded 1954; part of the International Schools Partnership group.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Size: about 750 pupils, 50+ nationalities.
Fees (2026/27, international-schools-database.com): €11,778 to €23,166, plus application €1,000, registration €1,120 to €2,050, a capital levy of €5,000 and bus €2,850 to €3,500. No official fee schedule is published publicly.

Benefits

The longest-running pure-IB option on the Lisbon coast. No curriculum switch at any age, and the ISP group behind it brings resources and cross-school programmes.

Reality check

The first-year bill is heavy once the levy, application and registration stack up. And it is a corporate group school: decisions get made above campus level, and some parents feel the personal touch is thinner than at an independent.

Oeiras International School, Barcarena

Curriculum: Full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma). Founded 2010; a not-for-profit association.
Ages: 5 to 18.
Size: about 600 pupils, 40+ nationalities; IB results above the global average.
Fees (official 2026/27): €13,980 to €22,406, plus a capital levy of €5,000 per student, application €250, MYP exam fee €900 and DP exam fee €900.

Benefits

Green campus, project-based learning, strong community. And places come up more often than at St Julian's: the pragmatic IB pick when the flagship is full.

Reality check

Not-for-profit is a plus, but the €5,000 capital levy still applies. Smaller school, fewer specialists: check SEN provision properly if your child needs it.

PaRK International School, Alfragide, Restelo, Praça de Espanha, Cascais

Curriculum: Bilingual English/Portuguese early years, Cambridge International from Grade 5, IGCSE then A Levels or IB Diploma. Part of the Inspired Education Group.
Ages: 1 to 18.
Size: about 2,041 pupils across campuses.
Fees: Alfragide bilingual stream 2025/26 (official PDF): €9,380 (ages 1–5), €12,125 (grades 1–4). Praça de Espanha 2026/27: €9,830 to €12,700. Overall range via international-schools-database.com 2026/27: €9,830 to €22,200.

Benefits

The standout is the bilingual early years programme: children end up genuinely comfortable in Portuguese while English stays dominant. Multiple campuses cut the commute for city families.

Reality check

It is a big group school. Parents sometimes call it efficient rather than warm, and long-term fees follow group pricing, not campus sentiment.

King's College School, Cascais

Curriculum: Cambridge curriculum to Year 11, IB Diploma for Years 12–13; bilingual Portuguese/English to Year 5. Part of the Inspired Education Group. Opened September 2022.
Ages: 1 to 18.
Size: roughly 720 to 920 pupils and growing.
Fees (2026/27, international-schools-database.com): €12,500 to €27,500.

Benefits

A €75 million new campus, the Inspired network behind it, and one of the easiest doors to walk through if you arrive mid-move and need a place fast.

Reality check

Opened 2022, so the sixth form and IB Diploma are brand new and untested, and the school is still growing into its own size. With teenagers especially, verify current enrolment and which exam years are actually running before you commit.

Redbridge International School, Lisbon (Campo de Ourique and Tapada da Ajuda)

Curriculum: Two tracks: French International Programme (French national curriculum to the bilingual French baccalaureate) and Cambridge International Programme to IB Diploma. Trilingual EN/FR/PT environment.
Ages: 3 to 17.
Size: about 510 pupils across two campuses; student–teacher ratio about 1:6.
Fees (2026/27, international-schools-database.com and guides): roughly €9,000 to €18,100. No official fee schedule is published publicly. A secondary scholarship programme offers 10% to 100% fee reductions for new students.

Benefits

The city option for central Lisbon families who will not do the Cascais commute. A real French bac route and a Cambridge/IB route under one roof, and 1:6 is an unusually good ratio.

Reality check

The two campuses split by age group, so some families end up doing the Tapada commute anyway. And the Portuguese side can be lighter than at a Portuguese-curriculum school.

Prime School, Belém, Linda-a-Velha, Estoril

Curriculum: Cambridge IGCSE, A Levels, plus a BTEC vocational option.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Fees (2026/27, international-schools-database.com): €11,885 to €22,760.

Benefits

Cambridge plus BTEC gives less academic teenagers a real pathway. Three campuses cover the Lisbon-to-Estoril corridor, and the rapid growth says demand is real.

Reality check

The growth has been very fast. Check that pastoral care and facilities have kept up before recommending it for younger children.

Saint Anthony's International School (SAIS), Estoril

Curriculum: British/Cambridge, IGCSE, A Level/AICE.
Fees (official 2026/27): Early Years €10,950; Primary €11,850; Middle School €12,900; IGCSE €13,800; A Level/AICE €14,700. Admission €1,700 (non-refundable), deposit €1,250, reservation fee €1,350; 7% yearly-payment discount; 5% sibling discount; optional meal pack €250/month.

Benefits

One of the clearest official fee schedules anywhere in this guide. And Estoril suits coast families who want a smaller British school.

Reality check

Less known internationally than the big names. Check inspection and accreditation status, and current enrolment.

IPS Cascais British International School, Bicesse

Curriculum: English National Curriculum, iGCSE, with A Levels planned.
Ages: 3 to 18 (upper years progressively opening).
Fees (2026/27, guides): roughly €11,049 to €18,761 across guide sources.

Benefits

One of the more affordable British options on the coast. Close to Cascais, without Carcavelos prices.

Reality check

The upper years are still being built out. Families with teenagers should confirm which exam years are actually running.

Greene's College Oxford, Estoril

Curriculum: Tutorial model, IGCSE plus A Levels.
Ages: 14 to 18 only.
Size: about 145 pupils, 15 nationalities; average class size 2, maximum 3.
Fees (2026/27, international-schools-database.com): €18,575 (ages 14–15) to €24,360 (ages 16–17), plus one-time registration €2,400.

Benefits

The Oxford tutorial method, unique in Portugal. Ideal for teenagers who need intensive one-to-one academic coaching, from medicine and Oxbridge aspirants to students catching up after a move.

Reality check

It is not a full school experience: no sport-heavy campus life, a tiny cohort. And the fees are top-end for what is, in practice, premium tutoring plus exams.

St. Peter's International School, Palmela

Curriculum: British plus Portuguese pathways, IGCSE and IB Diploma; boarding for ages 14–18.
Ages: 4 months to 18.
Size: about 1,500 pupils; the largest school south of the Tagus.
Fees (2026/27, international-schools-database.com): day €8,325 to €18,200. Boarding estimates vary widely between sources (€33,143 to €41,600 all-in): confirm directly with admissions.

Benefits

The main school for families settling south of Lisbon: Azeitão, Palmela, Setúbal, the Comporta corridor. Boarding makes it workable for families not nearby. Dual British/Portuguese pathways.

Reality check

The daily drive across the 25 de Abril bridge rules it out for Lisbon/Cascais families. Do not kid yourself on that commute.

International Sharing School, Taguspark (Oeiras)

Curriculum: Full IB continuum. Founded 2018.
Ages: 4 months to 18 (the school's own claim; directories list 1–18).
Size: 600 to 700 pupils, 60 nationalities.
Fees (2026/27, international-schools-database.com): €11,790 to €26,760. One published parent account claims a mandatory canteen charge of about €2,100 a year plus re-enrolment and exam fees: that is single-source, so treat it cautiously, but expect an extras culture.

Benefits

Purpose-built IB continuum campus inside the Taguspark tech hub. Strong multinational mix. Suits Oeiras and Taguspark families.

Reality check

The spread from the low end to the Diploma top end is one of the widest in the country. Get the full fee schedule in writing before enrolling.

Central Lisbon

#	School	Curriculum	Ages	Fees
15	British School of Lisbon, Cais do Sodré and Restelo	English National Curriculum plus Portuguese studies. Part of The Schools Trust.	3 to 16.	€13,633–€22,230 (2026/27)
16	United Lisbon International School, Lisbon	IB.	3 to 18.	€12,390–€25,200 (2026/27)
17	The Lisboan International School, Lisbon	British.	3 to 18.	€12,200–€22,600 (2026/27)
18	Lycée Français Charles Lepierre, Lisbon	French national curriculum (AEFE network).	3 to 18. One of Europe's largest French schools.	€6,098–€8,286 (2026/27)
19	Deutsche Schule Lissabon, Lisbon and Estoril	German national curriculum, Abitur; instruction in German and Portuguese.	–	€8,385–€8,615 (2026/27)
20	Aprendizes, Lisbon	British/Portuguese bilingual, IGCSE plus A Levels.	3 to 18.	€10,923–€17,589 (2026/27)

British School of Lisbon, Cais do Sodré and Restelo

Curriculum: English National Curriculum plus Portuguese studies. Part of The Schools Trust.
Ages: 3 to 16.
Size: about 600 pupils.
Fees (2026/27, international-schools-database.com): €13,633 to €22,230. The school's official fee page does not publish fees publicly.

Benefits

The city-centre British option. Smaller and more family-oriented than St Julian's, with a strong urban community.

Reality check

Secondary currently ends at 16: no sixth form at the time of research. City-centre facilities are compact next to the coast campuses.

United Lisbon International School, Lisbon

Curriculum: IB.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Size: about 615 pupils, average class 16.
Fees (2026/27, international-schools-database.com): €12,390 to €25,200.

Benefits

Full 3 to 18 IB in central Lisbon, in relatively new, modern facilities.

Reality check

Newer school, thinner track record. Check inspection reports and recent Diploma results.

The Lisboan International School, Lisbon

Curriculum: British.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Fees (2026/27, international-schools-database.com): €12,200 to €22,600.

Benefits

A British option in central Lisbon for families who want to stay in the city.

Reality check

The youngest of the central Lisbon British schools. Verify inspection status and enrolment before recommending.

Lycée Français Charles Lepierre, Lisbon

Curriculum: French national curriculum (AEFE network).
Ages: 3 to 18. One of Europe's largest French schools.
Fees (official 2026/27): Maternelle/Élémentaire €6,098 (French, Portuguese and EU pupils) or €6,776 (non-EU); Collège €6,384 or €7,062; Lycée €7,609 or €8,286. First enrolment €2,500; sibling discounts 10/20/30%.

Benefits

The best value in this entire guide for a top-tier education. The natural choice for francophone families, and the AEFE network means seamless moves to any French school worldwide.

Reality check

Everything is in French: non-francophone children face a real language barrier. And non-EU families pay a premium tier.

Deutsche Schule Lissabon, Lisbon and Estoril

Curriculum: German national curriculum, Abitur; instruction in German and Portuguese.
Fees (official 2026/27): €8,385 to €8,615 a year; new enrolment €1,000; sibling discounts.

Benefits

The reference school for German-speaking families. The Abitur is a strong university credential, at far lower cost than the Anglo-American schools.

Reality check

Everything is in German, so of limited use for non-German-speaking families. And two campuses split the community.

Aprendizes, Lisbon

Curriculum: British/Portuguese bilingual, IGCSE plus A Levels.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Fees (official 2026/27, food included): Preschool €10,923; grades 1–4 €12,980; grades 5–6 €14,883; grades 7–8 €15,620; grades 9–10 (IGCSE) €17,292; grades 11–12 (A Levels) €17,589. Admission two monthly fees; annual registration and re-enrolment one monthly fee each; sibling discounts 10%/20%.

Benefits

Transparent official fee schedule, food included. A solid mid-range bilingual option.

Reality check

Lower profile internationally. Verify accreditation and recent results.

Porto

#	School	Curriculum	Ages	Fees
21	CLIP, The Oporto International School, Porto	Adapted British National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE plus AICE diploma.	4 to 18.	€7,711–€14,516 (2026/27)
22	Oporto British School, Foz do Douro	British to IGCSE plus IB Diploma. Founded 1894: the oldest British school in mainland Europe.	3 to 18.	€10,230–€18,270 (2026/27)
23	Lycée Français International de Porto, Serralves	French national curriculum (AEFE network).	3 to 18.	€5,389–€6,615 (2026/27)
24	Deutsche Schule zu Porto, Porto	German bilingual, kindergarten to Abitur.	3 to 18.	≈€4,860–€5,910 (guide figures)
25	CJD International School, Porto	Cambridge International, Primary 1 to A Level, with British and Portuguese classes. The international division of the long-established Colégio Luso-Francês; opened 2023/24.	–	Unverified

CLIP, The Oporto International School, Porto

Curriculum: Adapted British National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE plus AICE diploma.
Ages: 4 to 18.
Size: about 681 pupils, 26 nationalities.
Fees (official 2026/27): Pre-Kinder/Kinder €7,711; Form 6 €11,740; Form 9 €13,351; Form 11 €14,516. Plus acceptance fee €750, annual matriculation €500 and a refundable deposit €1,000.

Benefits

The established expat choice in Porto. Well-regarded community, at notably lower cost than the Lisbon flagships.

Reality check

Porto is a smaller market and demand is strong. Confirm availability early.

Oporto British School, Foz do Douro

Curriculum: British to IGCSE plus IB Diploma. Founded 1894: the oldest British school in mainland Europe.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Size: about 558 to 577 pupils, 30+ nationalities, roughly 51% Portuguese.
Fees (2026/27, international-schools-database.com): €10,230 to €18,270 (includes capital/maintenance €700). First-year one-time costs add registration €160, acceptance €475 and a refundable deposit €3,275.

Benefits

Historic prestige and a genuine community feel. The Foz do Douro location suits the expat-heavy Foz and Matosinhos corridor.

Reality check

A majority-Portuguese pupil body, so the peer culture is less transient than at St Julian's. Some relocating families love that; others want more internationals around their children.

Lycée Français International de Porto, Serralves

Curriculum: French national curriculum (AEFE network).
Ages: 3 to 18.
Fees (official 2026/27, early-payment rate): Maternelle €5,683; Primaire €5,389; Collège €6,027; Lycée €6,615. First enrolment €1,030; re-enrolment €550 to €650; cafeteria about €88–€92 a month. Older guide figures (€5,112–€6,214) are out of date: use these.

Benefits

Excellent value, with the same AEFE advantages as the Lisbon lycée. Well located in the green Serralves area.

Reality check

French instruction only. That is the whole catch.

Deutsche Schule zu Porto, Porto

Curriculum: German bilingual, kindergarten to Abitur.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Fees (guide figures): roughly €4,860 to €5,910 a year; no official 2026/27 schedule is published publicly, so confirm with the school.

Benefits

The cheapest credible international option in Porto. Strong for German-speaking families.

Reality check

Guide-only figures, and instruction in German.

CJD International School, Porto

Curriculum: Cambridge International, Primary 1 to A Level, with British and Portuguese classes. The international division of the long-established Colégio Luso-Francês; opened 2023/24.
Fees: Guide estimates conflict (€9,300–€11,000 versus €11,716–€22,736): fee data is unverified, so this one needs direct verification with admissions before any family commits.

Benefits

A newer Cambridge option in Porto, with an established Portuguese school behind it.

Reality check

A very young international division. Verify the fee schedule and current enrolment directly with admissions.

The Algarve

#	School	Curriculum	Ages	Fees
26	Nobel Algarve, Lagoa campus	British and Portuguese national curricula: IGCSE, A Levels, BTEC or Portuguese national exams. The largest private school group in southern Portugal.	3 to 18.	€6,660–€16,410 (2026/27)
27	Nobel Algarve, Almancil campus	National Curriculum for England, IGCSE, IB Diploma, BTEC. Opened 2020.	3 to 18.	€7,920–€18,570 (2026/27)
28	Vale Verde International School, Burgau (Lagos)	British (Cambridge-based), bilingual primary, IGCSE plus A Levels. Established 2002.	5 to 18.	€7,773–€13,515 (2026/27)
29	Vilamoura International School (CIV), Vilamoura	IB plus British. The only school in the Algarve offering the IB Diploma.	3 to 18.	≈€7,135–€14,135 (2026)
30	Algarve International School, Almancil	British; bilingual years 1–6 (50/50 English/Portuguese), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE plus A Levels from year 7. Started 2019.	3 to 18; average class 12.	≈€6,595–€13,995 (2026)
31	Bright International School, Loulé	Cambridge International (Early Years through IGCSE). Formerly Eupheus International School; now part of the Sharing Education Group.	3 to 18.	€7,750–€15,360 (2026/27)
32	Aljezur International School, Aljezur	British, Cambridge IGCSE plus A Level.	11 to 18 (secondary only).	≈€7,200–€8,100 (guide figures)
33	Colégio Santiago Internacional, Tavira	British/bilingual.	3 to 18.	≈€4,855–€7,618 (guide figures)
34	Smaller Algarve options, briefly	British, bilingual, Montessori, German, Dutch	3–18	€5,500–€18,100 (guide figures)

Nobel Algarve, Lagoa campus

Curriculum: British and Portuguese national curricula: IGCSE, A Levels, BTEC or Portuguese national exams. The largest private school group in southern Portugal.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Size: about 1,000 pupils. Established 1972.
Fees: National section (official 2026/27): Pré-Escolar €6,660 to Secundário €8,580, plus lunch €1,560–€1,680 (mandatory for pre-school), registration €500 and enrolment €340 a year. British section (2026/27, international-schools-database.com): €6,660 to €16,410.

Benefits

Scale brings facilities and a choice of pathway, British or Portuguese. The national section is among the cheapest credible private options in Portugal.

Reality check

The size brings a more mainstream Portuguese feel. And the British section costs substantially more than the national section, so compare like with like.

Nobel Algarve, Almancil campus

Curriculum: National Curriculum for England, IGCSE, IB Diploma, BTEC. Opened 2020.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Fees (2026/27, international-schools-database.com): €7,920 to €18,570.

Benefits

The expat-corridor school of the Golden Triangle: Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo. IB Diploma available, new facilities.

Reality check

A young school, in the Golden Triangle, so the peer group skews heavily to wealthy transient families. Some parents love that. Others do not.

Vale Verde International School, Burgau (Lagos)

Curriculum: British (Cambridge-based), bilingual primary, IGCSE plus A Levels. Established 2002.
Ages: 5 to 18.
Size: about 148 pupils, 27 nationalities.
Fees (2026/27, international-schools-database.com): €7,773 to €13,515, plus registration €500, refundable deposit €500 and annual registration €150.

Benefits

Small, personal, and well established in the western Algarve expat belt (Lagos, Luz). Genuine community feel, and excellent value for a British curriculum.

Reality check

148 pupils means limited subject choice at A Level and a small social pool for teenagers. That is the trade.

Vilamoura International School (CIV), Vilamoura

Curriculum: IB plus British. The only school in the Algarve offering the IB Diploma.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Size: about 650 pupils.
Fees (guide figures, 2026): roughly €7,135 to €14,135.

Benefits

The IB Diploma monopoly in the Algarve. The Vilamoura location suits central Algarve families.

Reality check

Guide-only fee figures. The IB programme is smaller than at the Lisbon IB schools, so check subject availability before you count on it.

Algarve International School, Almancil

Curriculum: British; bilingual years 1–6 (50/50 English/Portuguese), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE plus A Levels from year 7. Started 2019.
Ages: 3 to 18; average class 12.
Fees (guide figures, 2026): roughly €6,595 to €13,995.

Benefits

A genuinely bilingual primary at a low price point. Small classes.

Reality check

A young school with guide-only fees. Edexcel rather than Cambridge board: fine for universities, but families should understand the difference.

Bright International School, Loulé

Curriculum: Cambridge International (Early Years through IGCSE). Formerly Eupheus International School; now part of the Sharing Education Group.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Fees (official 2026/27): Pre-Reception and Reception €7,750; Year 1–2 €9,900; Year 3–4 €11,150; Year 5–6 €12,565; Year 7–9 €14,980; Year 10–11 €15,360. Tuition includes textbooks, notebooks, subject supplies, homework and academic clubs; laptops and calculators excluded from Year 7.

Benefits

Transparent, inclusive fee structure with materials included. Sharing Education Group behind it. Strong parent reviews.

Reality check

The campus sits in an industrial estate (Parque Industrial de Loulé), not a leafy estate. Fees are reviewed annually for inflation. Older sources still carry the Eupheus name with stale fees: use the current name and figures.

Aljezur International School, Aljezur

Curriculum: British, Cambridge IGCSE plus A Level.
Ages: 11 to 18 (secondary only).
Fees (guide figures): roughly €7,200 to €8,100 a year.

Benefits

Small classes, strong individual attention, and a real sustainability and community ethos. Suits families in the wild west Algarve: Aljezur, Arrifana, Odeceixe.

Reality check

Secondary-only, small, remote. Not for families who want a full campus experience.

Colégio Santiago Internacional, Tavira

Curriculum: British/bilingual.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Fees (guide figures): roughly €4,855 to €7,618.

Benefits

The eastern Algarve option: Tavira, Olhão, the Faro side. Very affordable.

Reality check

Guide-only figures. Verify current curriculum and accreditation with the school directly.

Smaller Algarve options, briefly

A few niche schools suit specific families. Educan (Loulé): British, micro-classes (average 4, maximum 8), about 35 pupils, ages about 5 to 16; guide fees roughly €6,300 to €9,000. Ultra-personal, ultra-small. Montalvo International (Loulé): British, ages 13–18; fees €13,780 to €18,100. A senior-only option. CBR Olhão: bilingual, ages 3–15; guide fees €6,700 to €7,700. Eden Montessori (Albufeira): Montessori, ages 3–12; guide fees €6,340 to €9,090. Deutsche Schule Silves: German/Abitur, ages 3–18; fees not published publicly, contact the school. Nederlands Onderwijs (Silves): Dutch, ages 4–14; guide fees €5,500 to €6,500.

Madeira

#	School	Curriculum	Ages	Fees
35	International Sharing School, Madeira (Funchal)	Full IB continuum. Lineage from the 1980 Madeira British School; moved to a new €15 million campus at the Seminário da Encarnação, Funchal, in February 2026.	3 to 18.	€5,880–€13,140 (2025/26)
36	International School of Madeira (ISM), Funchal	Cambridge Primary Pathway; the only Cambridge-accredited international primary school in Madeira.	3 to 10 only; average class 12–16.	€5,520–€6,240 (2026/27)

International Sharing School, Madeira (Funchal)

Curriculum: Full IB continuum. Lineage from the 1980 Madeira British School; moved to a new €15 million campus at the Seminário da Encarnação, Funchal, in February 2026.
Ages: 3 to 18.
Size: 250+ pupils, 35+ nationalities; 1:8 teacher ratio.
Fees (official 2025/26; the 2026/27 schedule was not yet published at the time of research): Early Years €5,880; PYP €7,110–€8,500; MYP €9,120–€11,280; DP €12,520–€13,140. Enrolment €600, renewal €300.

Benefits

The only full-IB option in Madeira. A brand-new campus. Excellent value by mainland standards.

Reality check

The 2026/27 fees were not yet published when this guide was researched, and the move to the new campus is recent. Check how the transition has settled before committing.

International School of Madeira (ISM), Funchal

A separate school from the International Sharing School Madeira above: ISM is primary-only.

Curriculum: Cambridge Primary Pathway; the only Cambridge-accredited international primary school in Madeira.
Ages: 3 to 10 only; average class 12–16.
Fees (official 2026/27): €5,520 to €6,240 a year, plus admin €350 a year, enrolment €350 (once), re-enrolment €80 a year, catering €112 a month and homework club €50 a month.

Benefits

Small, personal Cambridge primary. The cheapest credible international option in Madeira.

Reality check

It ends at age 10, so families must plan the secondary move: usually ISS Madeira or a mainland boarding school.

Ten things to know before you apply

Waiting lists are real at the top.

Apply 12 or more months ahead for the flagships, and keep a second-choice school warm. St Julian's admits by interview and test. CAISL waits of 12 to 18 months at popular grades are reported in guides (directional, not official).

M to 25% on top of headline tuition is the rule of thumb. Canteen, transport, uniforms, exam fees (IB, IGCSE and A Level exams are extra almost everywhere), deposits, re-enrolment: it compounds fast. One all-in example for St Julian's reaches about €35,500 a year against headline tuition of about €29,970.

Capital levies are sunk costs.

St Julian's, Oeiras International and St Dominic's each charge a non-refundable €5,000 capital levy. CAISL charges a €1,953-a-year building fee for five years. None of it shows up in fee-range tables.

The commute shapes the choice.

Shortlist the schools before you pick the neighbourhood. CAISL or TASIS from Cascais, Palmela from Lisbon: these are real daily commitments.

Portuguese provision varies enormously.

British and American schools often teach Portuguese as a second language only. If you are staying long-term, or want Portuguese university access, weight the bilingual options (PaRK, St Julian's bilingual section, Algarve International's 50/50 primary) or the national-curriculum schools (Lycée, Deutsche Schule, Nobel's national section).

University pathways differ.

British schools point at UK universities; American schools at US universities. The IB travels best; the French and German schools are built for their national systems.

New schools are a trade.

King's College Cascais (2022), TASIS Portugal (2020), Nobel Almancil (2020), Bright (2019) and the newer Lisbon schools: new facilities and easier admission, traded against thin alumni networks and untested exam cohorts. Verify current enrolment and which exam years are actually running.

The French and German schools are the value plays.

The Lisbon lycée (€6,098–€8,286 official), the Porto lycée (€5,389–€6,615 official), Deutsche Schule Lissabon (€8,385–€8,615 official) and Deutsche Schule zu Porto (around €5,000, guide figures) deliver top-tier national curricula at a fraction of Anglo-American prices. The catch, always: your family has to work in French or German.

Boarding exists but is thin.

St. Peter's in Palmela is the main day-plus-boarding option near Lisbon. But boarding figures vary between sources: confirm with the school, and compare against actual UK boarding costs instead of assuming Portugal is cheaper.

Fees move every year.

Quote the year with every figure. Never present a 2026/27 fee as a standing price.

Sources

Good Schools Guide, St Julian's School Lisbon (goodschoolsguide.co.uk)
One Mark memorandum on international education in Portugal (sanity.io)
CAISL official 2026/27 fee schedule (caislisbon.org)
Oeiras International School official fees (ois.pt)
SAIS Estoril official 2026/27 tuition and fees (sais-estoril.com)
Lycée Charles Lepierre official 2026/27 tariffs (lfcl.pt)
Deutsche Schule Lissabon official 2026/27 fees (dslissabon.com)
Aprendizes official 2026/27 fees (aprendizes.squarespace.com)
LFIP Porto official 2026/27 registration (lfip.pt)
Bright International School official 2026/27 terms (bright-is.com)
International School of Madeira official 2026/27 fees (ismadeira.com)
International Schools Database 2026/27 listings (international-schools-database.com)
Touchdown, schools in Portugal guide (touchdown.us)
Max Cidadela, international schools in Cascais guide (maxcidadela.com)
Portugal Buyers Agent, international schools guides (portugalbuyersagent.com)
re-locant.com, 2026 school directory (extras warning) (re-locant.com)
Raising Kids in Portugal, TASIS cost estimate (raisingkidsinportugal.com)
InterNations, Portugal education guide (all-in examples) (internations.org)

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