3 best boarding schools in Lisbon 2026

Despite the numerous advantages, life in a private boarding school in Lisbon also has certain aspects that it is important to pay attention to in advance:

• Emotional stress. Moving a child to another city or even country, changing surroundings and lifestyle can cause emotional discomfort and loneliness. Adaptation is especially difficult for younger students who find it hard to get used to new conditions and culture. However, this risk is not specifically related to Portugal or Lisbon.
• Limited freedom of movement. The regime in a boarding school in Lisbon is strictly regulated by rules and daily routine. Strict control, restrictions on movement and a fixed schedule sometimes cause dissatisfaction among teenagers accustomed to more freedom at home.
• Language barrier. Although many boarding schools in Lisbon for foreigners use English as a means of communication, children with poor foreign language skills may experience difficulties in communicating with classmates and staff, which reduces involvement in the learning process and social activity. But schools, anticipating this possibility, always organize additional support courses for students arriving from abroad, so there is no need to be afraid — the child will overcome the language barrier in a matter of weeks, or even days.
• Lack of parental control. Parents lose direct contact with their child, as they live far apart. Control over the upbringing process and the influence of family traditions is significantly reduced, which makes regular communication via video link and periodic visits necessary.

It should be noted that support from parents, school and external specialists helps to minimize negative consequences, ensures a positive experience of studying and living in a private boarding school in Lisbon for foreigners.

The cost of studying in international boarding schools in Lisbon ranges from approximately €4000 to €10,000 per year. There are more affordable options available, for example, from €2000 per year, and there are also more expensive ones, up to €20,000-€30,000 for a year of study. It is worth noting that studying in boarding schools, including accommodation, is more expensive than in regular day schools.

To enroll in a boarding school in Lisbon, you need to start preparing at least one or two years in advance. If studies begin in September, applications will be actively accepted as early as May, and classes will be formed. You need to fill out the appropriate application form (each school has its own) and attach the following documents:

• A photocopy of the child's and parents' foreign passports,
• Medical insurance,
• Parents' tax identification number,
• Portfolio with information about academic performance,
• Two photos.

All documents must be translated into Portuguese and certified by the Ministry of Education.

School education in Lisbon provides for the development of three stages: preparatory level (for children aged 3 to 6 years), basic level (children from 6 to 15 years) and high school (children from 15 to 18 years). Completion of only the second and third stages is considered mandatory.

Education in Lisbon schools is characterized by high quality: even an average student demonstrates a decent level of literate writing, knowledge of mathematics and natural sciences. The indicators of Portuguese schoolchildren are above the average among OECD countries.

Schools in Lisbon are divided into two types: state and private (usually international).

Foreign parents, including those from Russia, when choosing an educational institution for their child, more often opt for international private boarding schools in Lisbon with a multicultural environment. One of the main disadvantages of state educational institutions is teaching children exclusively in Portuguese/Spanish, which creates difficulties for those who are not native speakers. International schools, on the other hand, provide equal opportunities for all students regardless of nationality and cultural background due to the internationalization of the student body — here, in 99% of cases, they study in English.

There are many different foreign educational programs available in the country: the most common are the British and American systems, as well as the International Baccalaureate (IB), developed by Swiss specialists. Along with English, students also study French, Chinese, Italian, Spanish and German.

In addition to the main educational program, private boarding schools in Lisbon offer a wide range of extracurricular activities — sports sections, creative clubs and other leisure activities. Students can swim in swimming pools, practice in specially equipped play areas, theater and music studios, modern laboratories, and use the latest equipment.

Speaking about the best boarding schools in Lisbon, it is worth highlighting Colégio Moderno, Salesianos de Lisboa and Colégio Sagrado Coração de Maria.

Choosing a private boarding school in Lisbon should be based on several advantages:

• Safety and comfort. Boarding schools in Lisbon for foreigners provide a high level of safety and comfort. The child lives on the campus around the clock, which guarantees constant supervision and care from teachers. Such schools are often located away from the hustle and bustle of the city, creating conditions for children to relax and concentrate on their studies.
• Individual approach. Private boarding schools in Lisbon are known for their individual approach to each child. Small classes allow teachers to pay maximum attention to each student, taking into account his abilities and needs, which achieves high learning efficiency and rapid assimilation of the material.
• High quality education. Modern methods make education in such schools competitive in the global market. Boarding schools in Lisbon often offer unique proprietary courses and foreign language training (English, French, Spanish, etc.) along with basic education.
• Development of independence and responsibility. Life in a boarding school contributes to the development of organization skills and the ability to solve everyday problems in schoolchildren.
• Expanding horizons and getting acquainted with cultures. Living together with classmates from different parts of the country, students get acquainted with different cultures, languages ​​and customs, developing tolerance and the ability to interact with people of different cultural characteristics.
• Additional opportunities. In addition to the main educational process, most boarding schools in Lisbon organize various extracurricular activities, sports events, excursions for children, contributing to harmonious personal growth and development of talents.
• Another plus of studying at boarding schools in Lisbon — you do not need to buy textbooks: they can be obtained from the school library or certain stores by QR-code for free.

By choosing a boarding school in Lisbon, you guarantee that your child will receive quality knowledge, be able to develop personal qualities and acquire useful acquaintances, opening doors to the future at an international level.