How many IB schools operate in Lisbon
Greater Lisbon, taking in the historic Carcavelos and Sintra clusters and the newer Marvila and Parque das Nacoes developments east of the city, hosts six IB World Schools. Five offer the IB Diploma at sixth form. Three run the full IB Continuum, the Primary Years Programme through Middle Years to Diploma at the same campus. The cluster has grown by two schools since 2020, in direct response to the Golden Visa wave that brought a substantial cohort of US, Brazilian, French and South African families into the city.
For families coming from the IB world elsewhere, the Lisbon IB market offers good continuity from primary through sixth form, but capacity is tight. Schools that were running waiting lists of 6 to 9 months in 2018 now run lists at every entry point, with the strongest pressure at Year 7 entry into MYP and at Year 12 entry into the IB Diploma. The opening of United Lisbon International School in Marvila in 2020 absorbed some of the demand pressure on the historic Cascais and Sintra schools, but it has not relieved the squeeze on the Diploma cohort, where teacher recruitment continues to be the bottleneck.
For a broader view of how the IB schools compare with British and American competitors in the same market, see our companion editorial best IB schools in Lisbon and the wider best international schools in Lisbon guide.
Fees and the post-Golden Visa effect
The Golden Visa programme, which Portugal closed to property investment in late 2023, reshaped Lisbon's international school market. Fees rose roughly 35 percent in real terms between 2018 and 2024, partly to fund expansion and partly because the new arrivals were less price sensitive than the historic British and American school families. Fees have plateaued since the Golden Visa closure but have not retreated. Annual IB tuition in Lisbon in 2026 runs from about $14,000 at PaRK International School to roughly $32,000 at the most expensive sixth form places at St Julian's School and Carlucci American International School of Lisbon. Median Diploma-year fees sit at $24,500. Capital levies and bus fees add a further $2,000 to $4,000 in year one.
For total cost benchmarks including transport, lunches, capital levies and the longer Portuguese summer fees question, see Lisbon international school fees. Compare schools head to head using our compare tool.
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Illustrative example schools
The schools below illustrate the breadth of IB provision in Lisbon. They are illustrative, not ranked.
Carlucci American International School of Lisbon, set on a 16-hectare campus in Sintra, runs an IB Diploma in parallel with an American high school diploma, with a long-established place in the city for embassy, NGO and corporate American families.
St Julian's School in Carcavelos, founded in 1932, offers the IB Diploma as the senior pathway after A Level and GCSE. The longest-established British international school in Portugal, with strong continuity into UK and US universities.
St Dominic's International School at Outeiro de Polima, between Cascais and Sintra, has been an IB World School since 1995 and is the longest-running IB Continuum school in Portugal, with PYP, MYP and Diploma all on a single site.
United Lisbon International School in Marvila, opened in 2020, is the newest entry to the city's IB market and the only IB World School inside the city proper rather than in the western suburbs. Strong reputation among newly arrived Brazilian and US families.
Where IB families live
IB families in Lisbon split between two distinct clusters. Cascais and Estoril, with adjacent Carcavelos, serve St Julian's, St Dominic's and PaRK International School. The western corridor offers easier coastal living and is the historic centre of the British, American and Northern European international community. Marvila and Parque das Nacoes, east of the city, serve United Lisbon International School and have become the centre of the post-Golden Visa international community, including substantial Brazilian, US, and French representation. Sintra, the third pole, serves Carlucci American International School of Lisbon families and offers a more rural setting at the price of a longer commute into the city.
For Lisbon-based families considering the choice between Cascais and Marvila, the practical trade-off is space versus connectivity. Cascais delivers larger homes, beaches and quieter streets, at the cost of a 35 to 50 minute train into the city centre. Marvila delivers easier access to the airport, central Lisbon and the new Parque das Nacoes business district, in apartment-dominated developments. For a fuller picture, see our Lisbon city hub and the cost calculator.
Admissions and the Diploma cycle
IB admissions in Lisbon work to an autumn cycle. Applications open in November for the September intake the following year. Premium Cascais and Sintra schools close their main intake by mid-February, with mid-cycle entry available subject to availability. Year 7, Year 10 and Year 12 entry points see the highest pressure. For the Diploma itself, schools run a two-stage selection through academic transcripts, an English language assessment for non-native speakers, and an interview with the candidate and at least one parent. Families moving from a non-IB system, particularly from US elementary or middle school, should identify subject gaps early; the most common stumbling block is mathematics rigour and second language proficiency at MYP entry.
To shortlist schools, browse our wider IB curriculum hub and use the compare tool to view Diploma results, university destinations and fee structure side by side.
Frequently asked questions
How many IB schools are there in Lisbon?
Greater Lisbon, including Sintra, Cascais and Estoril, hosts six IB World Schools. Five offer the IB Diploma at sixth form. Three run the full IB Continuum from Primary Years Programme through Middle Years to Diploma. The cluster has grown by two schools since the 2020 Golden Visa spike.
How much do IB schools in Lisbon cost?
Annual IB tuition in Lisbon ranges from about $14,000 at PaRK International School to roughly $32,000 at the most expensive sixth form places at St Julian's School and Carlucci American International School of Lisbon. Median Diploma-year fees in 2026 sit at $24,500. Capital levies and bus fees add a further $2,000 to $4,000.
Are Lisbon IB schools selective?
Yes, particularly at sixth form entry into the IB Diploma. CAISL, St Julian's and St Dominic's run two-stage selection through transcripts, English language assessment and an interview. PaRK and United Lisbon International School have a wider intake at lower years and tighten at IB Diploma entry. Mid-cycle entry into MYP is more flexible.
Where do Lisbon IB graduates go to university?
Roughly 35 to 45 percent of each graduating cohort heads to UK universities, including the Russell Group and the Scottish ancients. Around 25 percent enter US universities. Another 15 to 20 percent stay in Portugal at Nova SBE, Universidade de Lisboa or Catolica. The remainder split between Dutch, German and other European destinations.
When should I apply for a Lisbon IB place?
Applications open in November for the September intake. Premium Cascais and Sintra schools close their main intake by mid-February, with mid-cycle entry available subject to availability. Year 7, Year 10 and Year 12 entry points see the highest pressure on places. Apply at least seven months ahead.
