01
Ages and compulsory education
gov.pt describes optional preschool from ages 3–6 and compulsory basic and secondary education between ages 6 and 18.
ESCOLA
A migrant child should enter education without getting lost in bureaucracy.
Portugal has preschool, basic and secondary education. For newly arrived families, enrolment, equivalence of prior studies and Portuguese-language support are key.
What you need to know
Start with the essentials
02
Enrolment
Enrolment can be handled through Portal das Matrículas or, in the situations indicated, through the school/secretariat serving the area of residence.
03
Studies completed abroad
There is a procedure for equivalence/recognition of foreign basic and secondary education for residents in Portugal.
04
Language and school integration
Schools can guide families on Portuguese as a non-native language, placement in the appropriate year and school support. Specific measures exist for international-protection situations.
Important: Do not leave a child out of school for months while waiting for “perfect documents”. Contact the school/grouping and ask how to enrol and assess previous studies in the specific case.
Confirm before acting
Education for migrants — gov.pt ↗Basic/secondary equivalence ↗
Requirements and channels can change. Check the official source at the time you act.