Golden Visa programmes drove material expat family inflow into Athens, Lisbon and Madrid across 2018 to 2024. Portugal's real-estate Golden Visa ended in 2023; the Spanish programme ended in 2024; Greece's remains active. The school market shifts continue to ripple through.
The Golden Visa shift
Golden Visa programmes drove material expat family inflow into Athens, Lisbon and Madrid across 2018 to 2024. Portugal's real-estate Golden Visa ended in 2023; the Spanish programme ended in 2024; Greece's remains active. The school market shifts continue to ripple through.
Portugal: Lisbon and Cascais
St Julian's, Carlucci, the International School of Lisbon and several newer schools (TASIS Portugal, International Sharing School) have absorbed the demand. Year-group spaces at the established schools have tightened. See Lisbon school boom.
Spain: Madrid and Barcelona
Madrid has the deeper market with strong bilingual schools (King's College, Hastings School, British Council School). Barcelona has fewer but credible options.
Greece: Athens
ACS Athens, St Catherine's and Campion School have all grown enrolment. Newer schools (American International School Athens) have expanded. Fees remain materially lower than Portugal or Spain.
Related
See moving to Portugal with children and moving to Athens with children.