School enrollment in Portugal is one of the first topics many expat families search for when trying to understand the Portuguese school system, term dates, holidays, and official enrollment process.

The dates, platforms, and school year structure can feel confusing at first, especially when you are dealing with a new country, a different education system, and family routines that depend on school calendars.

This guide brings together the main school enrollment dates in Portugal, school term dates, holiday breaks, and official links used by families in Portugal.

It is written for expat parents who want a clear overview of how the Portuguese school year is organised, where to find official information, and how the enrollment timeline usually works.

Dates can change from one school year to the next, so this page is updated when new official information becomes available.



School Enrollment in Portugal: How It Works

School enrollment in Portugal is usually handled through Portal das Matrículas, the official online platform for school enrollment and renewal requests.

The exact process depends on the child’s year group, the type of school, whether the child is entering the Portuguese school system for the first time, and whether there is a change of school, course, guardian, or curriculum options.

For many students already in the system, renewal can be automatic. According to gov.pt, renewal is automatic for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th, and 11th years when there is no school transfer, no change of guardian, no course change, and no need to choose subjects. Renewal is also automatic in cases of grade repetition.

For expat families, the most important point is this: if your child is new to Portugal, changing schools, entering a new cycle, or moving from a private or international setting into the Portuguese system, it is worth checking the official platform and the school’s own information page.

Current School Enrollment Dates in Portugal

For the 2026/2027 school year, the official school enrollment and renewal dates are:

Preschool and 1st year of basic education:
April 22 to June 1

6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 11th years:
June 16 to June 29

2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th years:
July 1 to July 13

10th and 12th years:
July 15 to July 22

These are the national dates listed by gov.pt and defined by Despacho n.º 4472-A/2026.

After enrollment, another useful step for families in the Portuguese school system is understanding how MEGA textbook vouchers work. I explain the process in this guide to MEGA free school textbook vouchers in Portugal.



Portal das Matrículas

Portal das Matrículas is the official platform used for school enrollment and renewal requests in Portugal.

Parents and guardians use it to submit requests related to preschool, basic education, and secondary education.

You may need to use Portal das Matrículas if:

  • your child is entering school in Portugal for the first time
  • your child is starting preschool or 1st year
  • your child is changing school
  • there is a change of guardian
  • your child is entering a new education cycle
  • there is a course change or subject choice involved
  • the renewal is not automatic

If your child is already enrolled in the Portuguese system, check whether renewal is automatic before submitting a new request.

Portugal School Term Dates

Portugal’s public school year is usually divided into three terms.

For 2026/2027, the official term dates are:

1st Term

The school year starts between September 11 and September 15, 2026.

The exact start date may vary by school.

The 1st term ends on December 15, 2026.

2nd Term

The 2nd term starts on January 4, 2027.

It ends on March 19, 2027.

3rd Term

The 3rd term starts on April 5, 2027.

The final school dates depend on the year group:

  • 9th, 11th, and 12th years: June 4, 2027
  • 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 10th years: June 11, 2027
  • Preschool and 1st to 4th years: June 30, 2027

These dates come from Despacho n.º 8368/2024, which establishes the school calendar for public preschool, basic, and secondary education from 2024/2025 to 2027/2028.

School Holidays in Portugal

Portugal’s school holidays usually follow three main breaks during the school year: Christmas, Carnival, and Easter.

For 2026/2027, the official school breaks are:

Christmas Break

December 16 to December 31, 2026

Carnival Break

February 8 to February 10, 2027

Easter Break

March 22 to April 2, 2027

Summer holidays begin after the final school dates, which vary by year group.

These holiday periods are listed in the official school calendar published through Despacho n.º 8368/2024.

What Expat Families Should Check Before Enrolling a Child

Before submitting an enrollment request, it helps to check a few practical details.

First, confirm which school year your child should enter in Portugal. The Portuguese school system may not match the system your child has previously followed in another country.

Second, check whether your child is entering the public system, a private school, an international school, or another recognised education setting.

Third, check the school’s own website. Even when national dates are fixed, schools often publish useful local information about documents, contacts, lists, opening hours, and family procedures.

Fourth, check whether your request must be submitted through Portal das Matrículas or handled directly with the school.

Fifth, keep an eye on publication dates for lists of applicants and admitted students, especially for preschool and 1st year.

For 2026/2027, Despacho n.º 4472-A/2026 states that lists for preschool and 1st year requests are published by June 16, while admitted student lists for these levels are published by the first working day of July. For the remaining years, admitted student lists are published by the last working day of July.

Where to Check Official School Information

For school enrollment, the main official platform is Portal das Matrículas.

For term dates and school holidays, the national school calendar is published through official education legislation.

Individual schools and school clusters may also publish their own calendars, especially for:

  • exact first day of school
  • reception days
  • class schedules
  • school lists
  • local deadlines
  • assessment periods
  • school-specific instructions

For expat families, the best approach is to use this guide as a practical overview and then confirm the final details through the official platform or the school itself.



Quick Answers for Expat Parents

When does school start in Portugal?
In public schools, the first term usually starts in mid-September. For 2026/2027, the start is between September 11 and September 15.
Where do I enroll my child in school in Portugal?
Most school enrollment and renewal requests are handled through Portal das Matrículas.
Are school enrollment renewals automatic in Portugal?
In many cases, yes. Gov.pt states that renewal is automatic for specific years when there is no school transfer, no change of guardian, no course change, and no subject choice involved.
When are school holidays in Portugal?
The main breaks are Christmas, Carnival, Easter, and summer holidays.
Do all schools start on the same exact day?
The national calendar usually gives a start window. Each school may publish its exact start date.
Do private and international schools follow the same calendar?
Some may follow similar dates, but private and international schools can have their own calendars. Always check directly with the school.
Where should expat families check final information?
Use Portal das Matrículas for enrollment and the school’s own website for local instructions, documents, opening hours, and exact start dates.

Final Notes

School enrollment and term dates in Portugal are easier to follow once you know where the official information is published.

The key sources are Portal das Matrículas, gov.pt, the official school calendar, and the school’s own website.

For expat families, the most useful habit is to check the national dates first, then confirm the details locally with the school.

This page will be updated when new official dates are published.

Get BySuzike Edit every Saturday

One calm weekly email with the newest posts, useful reads, free resources and selected picks from BySuzike.

By subscribing, you agree to receive weekly emails from BySuzike. Unsubscribe anytime. No spam. Read our privacy policy for more info.