In Portugal, families can choose between two legal forms of homeschooling: ensino doméstico and ensino individual. While both allow the child to be educated outside of a traditional school setting, they are not the same — and the legal responsibilities involved are quite different.

Ensino doméstico is when a parent or legal guardian takes full responsibility for the child’s education. No formal teaching qualifications are required, as long as the adult is legally responsible for the child.

In contrast, ensino individual places the responsibility for the child’s learning in the hands of a qualified teacher — often called a tutor in the homeschooling context. It is important to note, however, that this “tutor” is not a private instructor in the informal sense, but a fully certified teacher acting within a regulated framework.

This distinction is clearly defined in the Portuguese legal framework:

📖 Decreto-Lei n.º 70/2021, Art. 4.º:

  • Ensino doméstico: “…aquele que é lecionado no domicílio do aluno, por um familiar ou por pessoa que com ele habite.”
  • Ensino individual: “…aquele que é ministrado por um professor habilitado a um único aluno fora de um estabelecimento de ensino.”

So what does this mean in practice for the tutor?

In ensino individual, the tutor is not a support figure or occasional helper. The tutor becomes the primary educator, responsible for delivering the learning plan, ensuring compliance with the curriculum, and helping the student meet the educational goals set out for each academic year.

What Does the Tutor Actually Do?

The responsibilities of a tutor in ensino individual go far beyond giving occasional lessons. They involve planning, delivery, assessment support, and liaising with the school where the child is enrolled.

✔️ Lesson Planning

The tutor must prepare a structured plan that follows the national curriculum or an agreed adaptation. This includes:

  • Defining clear learning objectives
  • Creating a timeline and breakdown of subjects
  • Ensuring content coverage for each term or learning stage

✔️ Teaching and Methodology

The tutor is in charge of daily or weekly lessons. Sessions may vary in frequency, but they must be planned and meaningful. A good tutor:

  • Delivers lessons suited to the student’s pace and learning style
  • Uses diverse materials (books, exercises, online tools)
  • Adapts methods when needed to support comprehension

✔️ Tracking and Adjusting

Monitoring is essential. The tutor should:

  • Keep records of the student’s progress
  • Collect evidence of learning (notes, portfolios, projects)
  • Adjust lesson plans based on the student’s evolving needs

✔️ Communication with the School

Although teaching is delivered outside the school, the child remains enrolled in a formal institution. The tutor must:

  • Provide updates or documentation if requested
  • Ensure the student is prepared for school assessments
  • Help coordinate with the school calendar and exam dates

✔️ Preparing for Evaluation

Tutors don’t apply exams — schools do. But the tutor should:

  • Align content with what the school will assess
  • Help the student feel confident and ready
  • Respond to requests from the school, including collaboration



Important Note

The tutor is not a freelancer acting outside the education system. In ensino individual, the tutor must be a certified teacher working within a regulated framework. Families who choose this path are legally required to follow this structure.

Choosing a tutor means choosing an official educator who will guide the academic process with professionalism and legal accountability.

If you’re considering this path — as a parent or as a teacher — it’s important to understand the expectations from both sides.