Planning to relocate to Portugal with your children? One of the first and most important steps is enrolling your child in school.
This updated 2025 guide walks you through the entire process — from enrollment dates to required documents — and covers practical details parents need to know, ensuring you feel confident and fully prepared.
When Does School Enrollment Happen in Portugal?
Enrollment periods for the 2025/2026 school year are:
- April 22 – May 31: Pre-school (Pré-escolar) and 1st grade
- June 16 – June 27: 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 11th grades
- July 1 – July 11: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades
- July 15 – July 22: 10th and 12th grades
Enrollment requests for pre-school and 1st grade submitted by May 31 will be processed together immediately after this date.
Applying during the correct window is essential, especially in areas with high demand.
How to Enroll Your Child: Step-by-Step
School enrollment is primarily completed online through the Portal das Matrículas.
Here’s the simplified step-by-step process:
1. Access the Portal
Visit portaldasmatriculas.edu.gov.pt and click “Encarregados de Educação” (Guardians).
2. Authenticate
Log in using one of the following methods:
- Digital Mobile Key (Chave Móvel Digital)
- Citizen Card with a card reader
- Tax Authority credentials — I prefer this option because it automatically fills in my information from the system.
❗ What if You Can’t Enroll Online?
If you are unable to complete the enrollment online (for example, due to lack of access to the required authentication methods), you can complete the process in person.
You should visit the administrative services of the school group assigned to your residential address, even if you plan to apply for other school preferences.
The school staff will register the enrollment electronically using the same national system.
3. Start the Enrollment
After logging in, select “Efetuar Matrícula” / “Criar uma nova matrícula” to begin.
4. Complete Student and Parent Information
Fill in the forms with your child’s personal details, your contact information, and proof of residence.
Choosing the Right School: How to Find Your Assigned School
Each residence in Portugal is linked to a specific school group (agrupamento de escolas) based on your address.
You can:
- Contact the nearest school to your home; school staff will inform you which group your address belongs to.
- Use the interactive map available on the GesEdu to view the location of schools and their details.
Important: Contrary to popular belief, the school geographically closest to your home is not always the one officially assigned to your address.
However, you are not required to choose the assigned school as your first option. If there are available places, you can enroll your child in any school you prefer.
Documents Needed for Enrollment
Make sure you have the following documents ready before starting your child’s enrollment:
✅ Child’s passport or ID card
✅ Parent’s or guardian’s passport or ID card
✅ Tax Identification Numbers (NIF) for both parent and child
✅ National Health Service User Number (NUSS)
✅ Social Security Identification Number (NISS) and household composition (agregado familiar) — (if you log in with Tax Authority credentials, this information will be automatically populated) — required if applying for Family Allowance (Abono de Família) or subsidized school meals
✅ Proof of residence (rental contract, utility bill, or Junta de Freguesia certificate) — (this information will also be automatically populated if you log in with Tax Authority credentials)
✅ Recent photograph of the child
✅ Birth certificate (translated and apostilled if applicable)
✅ Vaccination records (updated vaccination booklet)
✅ Previous school reports (if transferring from another country)
💡 Tip: Scan all documents in advance to save time during the online application process.
Important Information to Provide During Enrollment
Appointing a Guardian (Encarregado de Educação)
The legal guardian responsible for school matters does not have to be a parent — it can be a grandparent, a nanny, or another trusted adult.
You will need to provide:
- Guardian’s ID document
- Guardian’s Tax Identification Number (NIF)
- Guardian’s contact information (phone and email)
- Guardian’s address
- Guardian’s date of birth
- Guardian’s level of education (highest qualification obtained)
If the guardian is not the biological parent, proof of household composition (validated by the Tax Authority) may be required, especially if applying for sibling priority or family-related benefits.
Extracurricular Activities Participation
If your child is entering 1st grade, you will be asked whether they will participate in extracurricular activities offered by the school, such as:
- Sports
- Music
- Theater
- Creative workshops
Meal Preferences and Dietary Restrictions
If your child will have lunch at school (cantina escolar), you must specify:
- Menu preference (Regular or Vegetarian)
- Any allergies or intolerances (such as lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, or other specific food allergies)
Schools adjust meal plans to ensure children’s safety.
School Meal Management Platform (GIAE)
Many public schools use GIAE (Gestão Integrada de Administração Escolar) to manage:
- Lunch reservations and payments
- Activity sign-ups
- Attendance records
Parents will receive login credentials for GIAE once enrollment is finalized. You should expect this to happen in September, after school begins.
Tutorial – How to Enroll in Portal das Matrículas
Watch this step-by-step video tutorial showing exactly how to enroll your child through the Portal das Matrículas, including screenshots of each step.
Renewing School Enrollment
If your child remains in the same educational cycle, enrollment renewal is usually automatic.
Manual renewal is required if:
- Transferring to another school
- Advancing to a new educational stage (e.g., from 4th to 5th grade)
- Changing guardianship
- Choosing new subjects or education tracks
Support for Non-Portuguese Speakers
Most public schools offer Portuguese as a Non-Native Language (PLNM) programs, helping children integrate academically while learning Portuguese at their own pace.You don’t need to take any action — the school will proactively enroll your child in a PLNM program if needed.
Social Support and Family Allowance (Abono de Família)
In Portugal, children may be entitled to a Family Allowance (Abono de Família) based on household income levels.
Depending on your family’s income bracket:
- Your child may receive free school meals
- Or partially subsidized meals
- Or you may be required to pay the full meal price
Eligibility for these benefits requires:
- Your child’s Social Security Identification Number (NISS)
- Proof of your family’s income bracket as validated by the Tax Authority
Important: Families must present official documentation from Segurança Social to determine their Abono de Família level.
Meal Pricing Based on Family Income
- Level A (lowest income bracket): Free meals
- Level B: Partially subsidized meals
- No Abono or higher incomes: Full payment required
For better understanding: even at full price, school lunch is very affordable.
In 2025, we paid €1.46 for a full meal, including soup, a main dish, and fruit.
Children also have access to a basket of fruits in their classroom, along with milk and bread provided for free.
The Portuguese School Year Overview
- Start: Early September
- End: Late June
- Divided into three terms: Fall, Winter, and Spring
- Major holidays: Christmas, Easter, Summer
Typical daily schedule:
The school schedule varies from one school to another. For example, in our case, classes are organized in time blocks from 08:00 to 13:00 or from 13:15 to 18:15. Most children attend an after-school program (ATL) to cover the rest of the day. Some schools offer ATL within the same facility, while others work with independent ATL centers, which can also handle pick-up and drop-off.
How to Get Free School Textbooks
In public and semi-private schools, textbooks are free through the MEGA platform (Manuais Escolares Gratuitos).
- Parents must register on MEGA
- Electronic vouchers are issued in August, allowing collection from partner bookstores or directly from schools
Voucher release dates for 2025/2026:
- August 1: 1st and 9th grades
- August 8: 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades
- August 13: 10th, 11th, and 12th grades
Note: Students in 1st to 4th grades are not required to return their textbooks at the end of the school year.
Final Tips for a Smooth Enrollment
- Prepare and scan all required documents in advance
- Confirm your assigned school group based on your address
- Clarify guardianship, extracurricular activities, and meal preferences during enrollment
- Stay informed via the Portal das Matrículas and school communications
About This Guide
This guide is based on official information from the Portuguese Ministry of Education and personal experience.
It was updated in April 2025 to reflect the enrollment process for the 2025/2026 academic year.
For the latest information, always refer directly to Portal das Matrículas.
Thinking About Moving to Portugal with Your Family?
If you found this guide helpful, you’ll love our full relocation resource: Your New Life in Portugal – A Realistic Family Guide.
Discover everything you need to know about settling in Portugal, from schools and healthcare to housing and daily life — all explained in a clear and structured way.
👉 Learn more here!
