3 best private schools in Lisbon 2026

Compulsory secondary education in Portugal begins at age 6 and lasts for 12 years, divided into three cycles:

• 1 — from 1st to 4th grade (from 6 to 10 years old),
• 2 — from 5th to 6th grade (from 10 to 12 years old),
• 3 — from 7th to 9th grade (from 12 to 15 years old).

After completing compulsory secondary education, a three-year stage of specialization begins, which plays a key role in preparing for entering higher education institutions. At this stage, students choose a specialization that suits their interests and abilities. There are many educational options available in Portugal, and Lisbon's private schools occupy a special place among them. Such schools offer parents flexibility in choosing educational programs, allowing them to select the most appropriate option for their child, taking into account his individual needs, inclinations and learning rates.

The top private schools in Lisbon offer a number of undeniable advantages:

• Teaching several foreign languages, including English, German, French and others.
• Knowledge of foreign languages is a valuable skill in the modern world, which opens up great prospects for future professional activity.
• The variety of educational programs available that meet the different interests and objectives of students.
• Due to the small size of the classes, teachers have the opportunity to pay more attention to each student, applying an individual approach and helping children develop their abilities.
• High level of education, up-to-date textbooks and a wide range of extracurricular activities.
• Private schools create a multicultural environment in which children interact with peers from different countries, developing interpersonal communication and tolerance skills.
• This helps to broaden their horizons and form an open worldview.
• Learning in such an environment helps children adapt to a globalized world and successfully interact with people from different cultures.

Elite private schools in Lisbon offer the following educational programs:

• GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). An effective curriculum that meets British secondary education standards. Advanced English language skills and strong academic preparation are important for applicants. GCSE involves studying from 8 to 10 subjects, the examination session consists of 6-8 exams in various academic disciplines. Grades A, B and C are considered passing grades, and the highest grade is — A*.
• International GCSE (IGCSE). The international secondary education certificate is widely recognized. This program was developed in 1985 by experts from Cambridge University based on the British GCSE program, however IGCSE is characterized by more intensive learning, in-depth study of material and more complex final exams. The program is becoming increasingly popular among foreign and Russian-speaking students, respectively, and the number of schools seeking accreditation to teach the IGCSE program is growing.
• A-level. The graduation program for high school students meets high standards of the British education system and is recognized by many experts as a standard. Mathematics and English are considered compulsory subjects, and students choose subjects from two main areas for individual curricula: natural sciences, medicine and engineering — humanities, law and business. The learning process includes extensive laboratory research and scientific work — both individual and group projects. At the end of training, students take exams in 3-5 subjects, grades are awarded on a scale from A to E.
• International Baccalaureate. The International Baccalaureate program is considered one of the most popular and prestigious educational systems in the world. It consists of four stages: primary school, middle school, high school and professional development.

In Lisbon, there is an opportunity to study at bilingual schools that offer curricula combining two languages (usually English and Portuguese). Bilingual education often uses the best elements of various international learning programs. Such schools are especially useful for students striving to master both languages fluently and work in a multicultural environment.

Among the private schools in Lisbon for foreigners, the following can be highlighted:

• King's College School Cascais,
• St Peters International School (SPIS) Palmela,
• Prime School.

Choosing the right private school in Lisbon is a task that requires consideration of a number of aspects, including location, language of instruction used, curriculum, financial costs and available additional classes. To enter, you must complete an interview and take entrance exams, and confirm your language proficiency (preferably with an international certificate). If a student is transferring from another school, you will need to provide a statement with grades.

In addition, the list of required documents includes an application, a parent's identity card, a child's passport or birth certificate, photographs, medical reports, and other documents. The specific list of requirements and documents is determined by each school individually.

The amount of tuition fees in private schools in Lisbon varies depending on the prestige of the educational institution and the age of the student. The average annual cost of studying in Lisbon is about €10,000.

There are additional costs associated with studying at a private school: textbooks, extracurricular activities, participation in online courses, school uniforms, office supplies, and more. However, usually the best private schools in Lisbon provide their students with the necessary equipment, including tablets, laptops and computers, from the very first grade.