Home education in Portugal: how it works and how to find families
Portugal has become one of Europe's favourite places for families who want a different pace of life, and home education is recognised in law here. This guide covers the basics of how it works and where to find other home-educating families, from Porto to the Algarve.
How home education works in Portugal
Portugal recognises two forms of education outside school: ensino doméstico (home education, led by a family member who lives with the child) and ensino individual (teaching by a qualified tutor). Both have been regulated by Decree-Law 70/2021 since 2021. In outline:
- Your child stays enrolled at a school, usually in your area, and you apply to that school to home educate.
- The adult responsible for the education generally needs a university degree.
- You agree a plan with the school, keep a portfolio of your child's work, and your child takes part in the assessments at the end of each cycle.
- Learning is expected to follow the national curriculum's aims.
Some international families instead enrol with an online school based abroad. Requirements change and schools apply them differently, so confirm the details with the school group (agrupamento) for your address or the Direção-Geral da Educação. This is general information, not legal advice.
Where home-ed families are
- Lisbon and Cascais: the largest international community, with meet-ups in the Gulbenkian gardens, Parque Marechal Carmona in Cascais and on the beaches along the train line.
- Porto and the north: Parque da Cidade, the gardens of the Palácio de Cristal and the Serralves park.
- The Silver Coast: Caldas da Rainha, Óbidos and Nazaré have a growing number of families who moved for space and lower costs.
- The Algarve: Lagos, Tavira and the towns between, with beaches and the Ria Formosa lagoon as the classroom.
- Inland: central Portugal has long had families living rurally and educating at home.
Days out that count as learning
- Oceanário de Lisboa: one of Europe's great aquariums.
- Pavilhão do Conhecimento, Lisbon: a hands-on science museum.
- World of Discoveries, Porto: the story of Portuguese navigation, told for children.
- Serralves, Porto: contemporary art, a park and a treetop walk.
- Ciência Viva centres: a national network of science centres, including Faro and Lagos.
- Zoomarine, Algarve: marine life and conservation.
- Ria Formosa Natural Park: boat trips, birdwatching and tidal pools.
Find home-ed families near you in Portugal
PipsVillage is a free-to-join app that shows you home-educating families near you in Portugal, with their children's ages and interests. You heart the families that look like a fit; when they heart you back you can chat and plan a meet-up. Exact locations are never shown, children's names stay private, and it's adults only. If you're the first family in your town, you're the one the next family finds. Join PipsVillage free.
Messages translate automatically, so Portuguese and international families can talk easily, and if you're planning a move you can look for families in the area before you arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Is home education legal in Portugal?
Yes. Ensino doméstico is recognised and has been regulated by Decree-Law 70/2021 since 2021. Your child stays enrolled at a school, you apply to that school, and there are conditions on qualifications, portfolios and assessments. Confirm the details with your local school group or the DGE.
Do I need a degree to home educate in Portugal?
Under the current rules the adult responsible for a child's home education generally needs a university degree. Check the exact requirement with the school you apply to.
How do I find other home-educating families in Portugal?
Look for weekday meet-ups in parks and on beaches around Lisbon, Cascais, Porto, the Silver Coast and the Algarve, and use a family-matching app such as PipsVillage to see home-ed families near you with children of similar ages.