If you're relocating from the UK or US, Portuguese school term dates will feel different. Here's what to expect.
Portuguese national calendar (approximate)
| Term | Dates |
|---|---|
| 1st term | Mid-September → late December |
| 2nd term | Early January → late March / early April |
| 3rd term | Mid-April → mid-June |
Summer holidays run from mid-June to mid-September — longer than in the UK but similar to the US.
UK comparison
British-curriculum international schools in Portugal often follow UK term dates, with three terms of roughly equal length and half-term breaks in October, February and May. Check each school individually — dates vary.
US comparison
American-curriculum schools typically follow a late August → June academic year, closer to the US model. Some adopt a modified Portuguese calendar.
IB schools
IB World Schools set their own calendars but must meet IB contact-hour requirements. Most align roughly with the Portuguese national calendar.
Practical tip
Ask each school for their exact academic calendar before committing. If you have children at different schools (e.g. one at an international school and one at a local state school), mismatched holidays can create childcare complications.