The Balancing Act of Moving to Portugal with a Family: Finding Your Dream Home and Ideal School

Portugal has long been regarded as a top holiday destination, with its fabulous climate, stunning beaches, and buzzing cities. These factors are just some of the reasons why the country has seen a wave of expats relocating and settling in this Mediterranean gem. Portugal now has 7,000 US citizens and 42,000 Brits living in the country, according to the latest data from SEF, the Border and Immigration Service in Portugal, indicating that the country really has become something of a safe haven for expats.?

However, while these factors may have made expats first take notice of Portugal, the country has much more to offer than its fine climate and high, yet affordable, quality of life.?

Portugal has one of the best education systems in the world, ranking in 24th position in the 2022 Best Countries for Education Report, conducted by the US News and World Report, BAV Group, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Arguably the most important decision that you will make when moving to Portugal - or any other country for that matter - with a family is which school you will send your child or children to. This can be a key factor in determining where families buy a home. Yes, we know that the school run is made much easier if you live within easy distance from your child’s school. This can be a delicate balancing act between choosing the perfect home and the best school in your area for your child.?

Our residency and citizenship division, Global Citizen Solutions, recently launched their International School Guide, put together alongside specialists in the field to provide you with an expert opinion on the education system in Portugal and help you with your school search in Portugal.?

Are you currently researching the schooling system in Portugal and are unsure of how to begin your search? Global Citizen Solutions hosted a live detailing their International School Guide, featuring a discussion with Nathalie Willis-Davis, founder and education consultant at Tendoria, and Martin Harris, Principle at The Lisboan International School.?

Killing Two Birds with One Stone

So, if you are thinking about moving to Portugal, you’ll want to consider two things:

1. Which neighborhood or area do I want to live in Portugal, and;
2. Which neighborhood is close to the school that I want my child to attend.

If you’re a family moving to Portugal, you’ll be pleased to know that there are a grand total of 51 international schools to consider. International schools can be excellent options for expat families as your child or children can be taught in their native language or following international curricula.

And, if you are considering moving to Lisbon, the Portuguese capital is home to 30 of the international schools in the country, with 22 located in the Greater Lisbon area.?

The Algarve is home to 12 international schools, which are scattered fairly evenly across the region, while there are six international schools in the north of the country, which includes the vibrant, historic city of Porto.

Lisbon Neighborhoods Close to International Schools?

Lisbon has been welcoming expats for many years now and expat families will find that the Portuguese capital is a hub for international schools in the country. Whether you are looking for international schools that follow a specific curriculum, a particular way of teaching, such as method schools, or schools that teach on a bilingual basis, Lisbon has you covered.?

In the city itself, Campo de Ourique is an excellent location for international schools, with the Redbrigde School and Lycée Francais Charles LePierre Lisbonne located here. This is a peaceful part of the city, where you are close to green parks, lovely restaurants, and are close to Monsanto Forest Park.

The futuristic Parque das Na??es is also an excellent location to explore, in the northeast of the city. With stunning views of the River Tagus, cable cars floating by in the sky above, and the aquarium of Lisbon located here, there’s nowhere else quite like it in the city. You’ll find spacious properties and the modern United Lisbon International School situated close by in neighboring Marvila.?

Outside the city center, Cascais and Estoril are home to an impressive 13 international schools. Cascais is a seaside town that offers spacious properties, sandy beaches, and excellent seafood. You are also just a short 30-minute drive from Lisbon,? so can have the best of both worlds. The stunning Sintra-Cascais National Park is also close by for the active types. And, with three international schools to its name, Sintra is also a top location to consider.??

Other top locations to consider in and around Lisbon, where you can find lovely properties in school catchment areas are Oeiras, Belém, Restelo, and Setúbal.

Getting the Balance Right

Finding your dream home and the perfect school for your child can be something of a balancing act. When it comes to choosing the right school for your child, we recommend researching as much as possible and visiting as many schools as you can. Visiting the school firsthand is the only way to get a true feel for the school, understand the school's values, and - most importantly - see if the school is a match for you and your children.?

When it comes to the property side of things, although you may have your heart set on a particular area of the city or a certain region of Portugal, it's best to be flexible. There are many fantastic neighborhoods in Lisbon that you may not have discovered yet that could prove to be everything you are looking for. Sintra, Cascais, and Setúbal are also stand-out locations, where you’ll be able to live an active life and be close to some of the best international schools in Portugal. And, if you want to live in Porto or the Algarve, you’ll also find quite a lot of choice.?

Getting the balance right can be tricky. We know. However, with a little bit of flexibility and patience, visiting the schools and neighborhoods that most interest you, and doing your research, you should find that everything will fall into place. And when you have this balancing act sorted, it will be well worth it. So, what better way to start your hunt for the ideal school than by taking a look at the International School Guide?