Pre-school, school, higher education in Portugal for non-residents

In the ranking of countries in terms of quality of life, Portugal ranks 18th. According to Expat Insider 2021, Portugal is one of the top 3 countries for cosmopolitans to live in.

However, despite the high standard of living in Portugal, prices for goods and services, education and medical care are lower than in other European countries.

It is also important to note that Portugal is a safe country. According to the Global Peace Index, Portugal ranks second in Europe in terms of security.

The national education system deserves special attention.

Higher education in Portugal is respected all over the world.

Four of the country's universities are included in the QS World University Rankings 2022, of which the University of Porto received the highest rating.

Portugal's higher education system itself was ranked 34th among the best in the world by Ceoworld magazine.At the same time, the cost of studying in Portugal is the most democratic in the European Union.

Graduates can receive a double diploma from universities in Portugal and the UK. Part of the training programs provides for paid internships in European companies.

The Lisbon Catholic School of Business and Economics is traditionally included in the list of the most prestigious business schools in Europe, according to the Financial Times.

In Portugal, kindergartens accept children between the ages of three months and five years, but attendance at preschool is at the discretion of the parents and is not mandatory.

At first, the kids attend the younger group, similar to the Russian nursery. Here, children learn to eat, dress themselves and develop their fine motor skills. The availability of nursery groups may vary in different kindergartens, therefore, for information, it is recommended to check it on the official website of the kindergarten or call the specified phone number.

Parents have the opportunity to choose between public and private kindergarten. There are no entry fees in the public garden. The family only has to compensate for the cost of meals, which averages 40 € per month. If the child is present at the kindergarten before 9 am and picks up after 3 pm, the parents have to pay for an additional stay (extended stay), which is usually about 80 € per month.

Private kindergartens provide an easier way to place a child, since there are no queues. 

Another advantage is that there are no more than 10 children in groups, which is two times less than in state kindergartens.In addition to the usual teaching of reading and writing, educators also teach children foreign languages.

In Portugal, there are private kindergartens where education is conducted in English, and in Lisbon there are even kindergartens with Russian-speaking teachers. The monthly fee for a private kindergarten can range from 250 to 500 €.The formation of groups in kindergartens takes place from April to June, so it is recommended to apply in advance.

For pre-registration, no documents are required, it is enough to indicate the date of birth of the child and a contact phone number. If you do not have time to apply on time, you can stand in line. Kindergartens form lists every year, but the wait can take several years, so many parents enroll in a queue before the birth of a child.

School: Colégio Luso-Francês

• City: Porto
• Price: from 300 Euro to 450 Euro per month
• The school occupies the 13th position in the ranking of the best schools in Portugal. It can be called the best international school in terms of GPA in Portugal.

School: St. Peter's International School

• City: Palmela (near Setubal)
• Price: not specified, only by personal interview
• The school has excellent reviews and recommendations and is in 29th position.

School: Colégio Internacional de Vilamoura

• City: Loule (Algarve region)
• Price: from 400 Euro to 1,000 Euro per month
• The school takes 34th place in the ranking.

School: Nobel - International School Algarve

• City: Lagoa and Almancil (Algarve region)
• Price: 4,900 Euros to 12,800 Euros per year
• Ranked 98th in the ranking

All foreigners have the full right to study in public schools in Portugal and there are no restrictions. The child will be accepted even if he does not speak Portuguese. They also offer free extracurricular activities.

To enroll a child in a school, you must submit an application, which you can fill out on the website of the educational institution and provide the following documents:

• Identification document of the child and parents
• Tax number of the child and parents
• Document confirming the place of residence
• medical certificate
• Private bussiness
• 2 photos

In public schools, education is free, parents only pay for meals and extended classes.

Expats tend to choose regular public Portuguese schools, as this helps the child to better integrate into society and adapt to the new environment. 

But it all depends on the goals of the parents. If the move is short-term and they plan to return home in a couple of years, then alternatives should be considered.

Thousands of students dream of getting to Portugal, because studying in the country has advantages incomparable with other European countries:

• Education in Portugal is characterized by low prices, especially compared to other European countries. International students can graduate in Portugal for an average annual cost of around USD 6,568, and for European Union citizens the amount is even lower. In addition, relatively low living costs are observed here, which makes studying in the country attractive for students from the CIS countries.
• The policy towards foreign students in Portugal is also quite loyal. Unlike some other European countries, most universities do not require a certificate of proficiency in Portuguese for admission. Students only need to pass an interview to assess their proficiency in the language, and even at a beginner level of Portuguese, they can be accepted with the obligation to take language courses in parallel with the main classes. University teachers show understanding to foreign students, not seeking to immediately punish for language mistakes, which contributes to a more comfortable adaptation of foreigners.
• In addition to the fact that education in Portugal is focused on the creative work of students, and not just memorizing facts, students also get career opportunities. 

Students acquire not only theoretical knowledge, but also practical skills, which makes them confident in the European labor market. Knowing Portuguese is also an added advantage, as it is a language spoken by millions of people around the world and is valued in many companies.

• The cost of living in Portugal is also attractive to students. Renting a house, dining at restaurants, going to the cinema and going to concerts are cheaper here than in many other European countries. So, even in the capital Lisbon, the cost of a comfortable life can be less than in Moscow. In addition, the cost of living in student residences of Portuguese universities is significantly lower than in most European countries.
• And finally, Portugal provides comfortable conditions for students. The climate here is mild and pleasant, and the ocean coast, picturesque mountains and sandy beaches create a favorable atmosphere for recreation and travel. Thanks to a convenient class schedule, students can combine study with outdoor activities. All this contributes to the rapid adaptation of foreign students to the new environment.

Portugal provides opportunities for education, career development and a comfortable student life, which makes it an attractive place to study for students from all over the world.

• Citizens of a country that is a member of the European Union.
• Applicants whose spouses or parents are citizens of a country of the European Union.

• Foreign nationals residing legally in Portugal for more than two years.
• Higher education in Portugal is one of the most affordable in the European Union. A year of study can cost from 2500 to 8000 €. For comparison, the average cost of studying at universities in the UK ranges from 16,000 to 24,000 €.

• University of Lisbon
• University of Porto
• New university in Lisbon
• University of Coimbra (founded in 1290, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Included in the list of top 500 universities in the world)
• University of Aveiro

• University of Minho
• Catholic University (the best university in Portugal according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020. One of its faculties - the Lisbon Catholic School of Business and Economics - tops the list of the most prestigious business schools in Portugal. The Financial Times annually marks it in the European ranking).