When should you start looking for a nursery?
The honest answer: sooner than you think. In Portugal, especially in the Lisbon and Porto metropolitan areas, nursery enrolment deadlines are one of the biggest sources of stress for parents. The good news is that with the right information, you can plan well ahead and avoid the worst of it.
The general rule is this: for a place needed from September 2025, the application process should have started by at minimum January or February 2025 — and much earlier for the most popular IPSS nurseries.
Typical enrolment calendar
While each establishment sets its own deadlines, there is a recognisable pattern:
- January–February: many IPSS nurseries open applications for the following academic year. Start gathering documents and submitting applications now.
- February–April: peak enrolment period for private nurseries. Families who decide in this window still have reasonable choice of places.
- March–May: enrolment period for state kindergartens (via the DGEstE portal at matrículas.dge.mec.pt). Check the Ministry of Education website for the exact calendar each year.
- June–July: remaining places and second-round allocations. Options narrow significantly from this point.
- August–September: occasional movement due to withdrawals and relocations, but this is far too late to begin searching for the first time.
IPSS vs. private nurseries: different timelines
IPSS and private nurseries operate on different logics:
- IPSS: there is no single national deadline. Each institution manages its own applications and waiting lists independently. Many accept applications year-round, but place allocation follows priority criteria (siblings already enrolled, geographic proximity, social vulnerability). Apply as early as possible.
- Private nurseries: have more defined timelines, typically February to April for the following academic year. Many require a place reservation deposit of €200–€500 to secure the spot.
- State kindergartens: follow the official Ministry of Education calendar. Enrolment is done online through the matrículas.dge.mec.pt portal. The usual window is March–April for children aged 3 to 5.
Documents needed for enrolment
Prepare these documents in advance to speed up any application:
- Child's Citizen Card (Cartão de Cidadão) or birth registration
- Parents' / guardians' Citizen Cards
- Parents' / guardians' Tax Identification Numbers (NIF)
- Child's up-to-date vaccination booklet (boletim de vacinas)
- Income documents (for IPSS: recent salary slips and tax return)
- Proof of address
- Medical declaration (some nurseries require this for children with additional needs)
- Social Security Identification Numbers (NISS) for parents
For state kindergartens, the process is streamlined and mostly done online using the Citizen Card.
How do waiting lists work?
Being on a waiting list does not guarantee a place, but it is the essential first step. A few key points:
- IPSS nurseries typically prioritise: (1) siblings of currently enrolled children, (2) children in socially vulnerable situations, (3) children of staff members, (4) residents within the geographic area served.
- A waiting list confirmation document can be useful when applying to Social Security for alternative support if an IPSS place cannot be found.
- Save the nursery's contact details and call periodically to check your position on the list.
Enrolment alerts: never miss a deadline
One of the most common challenges families face is tracking deadlines across multiple establishments at the same time. Skolvi allows you to save nurseries and schools to your personal shortlist and receive enrolment alerts — as soon as a nursery you've saved announces that applications are open, you'll be notified by email.
To activate alerts, save the schools you're interested in on Skolvi and register your email address in your personal shortlist.
Tips to secure a place
- Apply to more than one option: never put all your hopes on a single nursery. Always have a backup plan, especially for the most popular IPSS settings.
- Respond quickly when called: many nurseries allow only 48 to 72 hours to confirm a place. A slow response means losing the spot.
- Prepare documents in advance: gathering income proofs and updating a vaccination record takes time. Do it before you receive any call.
- Get confirmation in writing: always ask for written confirmation (email or letter) of your enrolment.
- Check the cancellation policy: if you pay a deposit and change your mind, know the terms for getting it back.