Portugal has a policy that no child will be without education.
This means that, even without having the child registered in Portugal, if you go with your child to a school, they will find a way to include them.
Portugal has an excellent, free, public school system, that is widely used by everyone, from elementary school to higher education.
During the elementary, O-levels and high-school, there is no tuition at all, while in University there is (on average, around € 1 000 per year), but that may still be dispensed with if the student’s family cannot afford it.
During the elementary, O-levels and high-school, books are provided for free. Meals and other school material are subsidised and cost very little, but you can get it for free as a refugee. Also, most schools have available computers for students that can’t afford one.
To enrol your child you should go to the Administrative office of the school with all the documentation you have available regarding the child, although usually a passport or ID will be enough.
Up to the 12th grade, classes are taught primarily in Portuguese, but all schools provide extra language training and support for foreign students.
School books are free in Portugal, although they must be returned in good condition at the end of the school year.
To have access to the book vouchers, you need to register in the MEGA Platform at https://manuaisescolares.pt (note: to successfull enrol to the platform you need to already have online access to your “Autoridade Tributárias” tax accounts).
To enrol, go to the platform and select “Sou Encarregado de Educação” (meaning “I am the education responsible for the child”):
In the new screen, select “Registar” (”Register”):
You will then be taken to a screen where you need to fill in the data to create a new account.
