| Cycle | Years | Age | Daily hours | Observations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-primary education | 3-5 | Public kindergardens are free of charge. | ||
| Primary education - 1st cycle | 4 | 6-10 | 25 h/ week | Public schools are free of charge. Enrolement is compulsory for children reaching 6 years old before the 15th September and it is done at the school nearest the parents/ guardian's residence or the area where they work. Schools have extra-curricular activities. |
| Primary education - 2nd cycle | 2 | 11-12 | 30 h/ week | Public schools are free of charge. Schools have extra-curricular activities. |
| Primary education - 3rd cycle | 3 | 13-15 | 30 h/ week | Public schools are free of charge. Students who have completed the 3rd cycle successfully are given the dipoloma of basic education. Schools have extra-curricular activities. |
| Secondary education | 3 | 15-18 | Public schools are free of charge. Students who have completed this level of education is given a diploma of secondary education. |
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Portuguese classes as a second language
Schools have special activities for teaching Portuguese as a second language. Attendance is compulsory and does not exempt the child from attending normal classes in Portuguese.
Equivalent academic levels
To obtain academic equivalence to primary and/or secundary education obtained in a foreign country, an Academic Equivalence Certificate translated into portuguese and stamped by the Portuguese Embassy in the student's country of origin or from the Consulate of her/his country in Portugal, is needed. Academic Equivalence should be requested directly to the selected school (from residence or working area of the parents or guardians) with the following documents:
- Equivalence request form (provided by the school)
- Academic Equivalence Certificate translated into portuguese and stamped by the Portuguese Embassy in the student's country of origin or from the Consulate of her/his country in Portugal
- Copy of an identification document (identification card, passport)
- Get Support:
- directly with the selected School Board
- DG Education: Av. 24 de Julho, n.º 140. 1399-025 Lisboa
Tel: +351 213 934 590 l Fax: +351 213 934 685 | E-mail: equivalencias.dsdc@dge.mec.pt
Find more information (in portuguese only)