At a glance
| Factor | Lisbon | Rome |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | EUR 14,000 to EUR 26,500 at full IB or A Level schools; bilingual options from EUR 7,500 | EUR 14,000 to EUR 28,500 at St George's, AOSR and Marymount; Italian bilinguals from EUR 8,000 |
| Dominant curricula | IB, British, American, Portuguese bilingual, French | IB, British, American, Italian, French, Italian bilingual |
| Cost of living (Numbeo, May 2026) | Lisbon runs roughly 10 to 18 percent cheaper than Rome overall (Numbeo, May 2026), with rents in central Rome substantially higher than Lisbon equivalents | |
| Family visa | D7 passive income, D8 Digital Nomad, EU Blue Card, Golden Visa; family reunification standard | EU Blue Card, ICT permit, elective residence visa, freelancer visa; family reunification eight to fourteen weeks |
| Expat share of population | Around 14 percent of greater Lisbon, growing fast since 2019 | Around 10 percent of Rome metro is foreign-born, weighted to embassies and the Vatican |
| Typical relocation timeline | 8 to 14 weeks | 12 to 18 weeks |
Lisbon and Rome sit at different ends of the global expat map but both deliver deep international school choice for IB, British or American pathways. Use the at-a-glance table above as a baseline, then read the deep dives below for fees, curriculum, neighbourhoods and visa detail your family will actually need.
Schools landscape side by side
Lisbon's international school market has expanded faster than any in Europe since 2019. Flagships include St Julian's School (British, IB Diploma), Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL, IB), United Lisbon International School (IB, American), TASIS Portugal (American, IB), The British School of Lisbon, and the Lisboan International School. The Ministry of Education accredits most providers. See the Lisbon schools hub.
Rome's international school market is older and smaller. Anchors include St George's British International School (British, IB), the American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR), Marymount International School Rome (IB, American Catholic), the New School Rome (British), Ambrit International School (American, IB MYP), the Rome International School (RIS) and the Lycee Chateaubriand. The Vatican's diplomatic community is a constant driver of demand. See the Rome schools hub.
Not sure which city fits your family?
Take the 5 minute school finder quiz, then run the cost calculator for both cities. You get shortlisted schools plus a side by side relocation budget in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
Lisbon premium IB and British fees sit between EUR 16,500 and EUR 26,500 per year at St Julian's, CAISL, TASIS and United Lisbon. Mid-tier bilingual and Portuguese options run EUR 7,500 to EUR 14,000. Enrolment fees typically run EUR 800 to EUR 3,500, with capital levies of EUR 500 to EUR 2,500 at the premium tier. See the fees explorer.
Rome's premium tier at St George's, AOSR and Marymount runs EUR 18,000 to EUR 28,500 for senior IB and AP years. Ambrit and RIS sit at EUR 14,000 to EUR 20,000. Italian bilingual options at Castelli or Massimiliano Massimo run EUR 8,000 to EUR 14,000. One-off enrolment of EUR 2,000 to EUR 5,000 is standard, and a building or development fund of EUR 500 to EUR 2,500 per year is common at the premium tier.
Curriculum availability
Both cities cover IB, British and American pathways. Lisbon offers wider English-medium choice for its size, with IB at four flagship schools and British at St Julian's and TBSL. Rome offers more depth at established Catholic-leaning American and British schools, with the IB Diploma at St George's, Marymount and Ambrit. The IB Diploma is the safest portable credential in either city. See the IB hub.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Lisbon families cluster on the Cascais and Estoril coast for St Julian's, in Sintra and Linho for TASIS Portugal, and in Carcavelos, Restelo and Parque das Nacoes for the central schools. A three-bedroom villa in Cascais runs EUR 2,400 to EUR 4,800 per month. In Rome families pick the Cassia Antica corridor north of the centre for St George's, AOSR and Marymount, plus EUR or Parioli for older established families. A three-bedroom apartment in Parioli runs EUR 2,800 to EUR 5,200 per month.
Lifestyle and climate
Lisbon offers 290 days of sunshine, mild Atlantic winters of 10 to 16 degrees Celsius and warm dry summers of 22 to 30 degrees. Beach access from the centre is 20 minutes by train. Rome offers Mediterranean climate, 4 to 14 in winter and 22 to 32 in summer, with autumn and spring as the standout family seasons. Cultural and historical density in Rome is unmatched in Western Europe, with three thousand years of layered urbanism on the doorstep.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Lisbon if you value year-round sunshine, beach proximity, fast-expanding English-medium schools at EUR 16,500 to EUR 26,500 and one of Europe's easiest visa routes via the D7 or D8. The expat ecosystem is bigger, more tech-led and more transient than Rome's.
Choose Rome if you have a UN, FAO or Vatican-linked role, value deep history and Italian culture and want stable, long-established international schools at EUR 18,000 to EUR 28,500. Italian bureaucracy adds friction; the lifestyle compensates. Run a side by side household budget through the cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lisbon or Rome cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Lisbon is around 10 to 18 percent cheaper overall, mostly on housing in Cascais against Parioli or Cassia. School fees at the premium IB tier are comparable, with Rome a touch higher at the top end. Lifestyle costs (groceries, transport, eating out) tilt toward Lisbon by 10 to 15 percent.
Which city has stronger international schools?
Rome has the longer track record, with St George's, AOSR and Marymount all operating for over forty years and producing strong IB and AP results. Lisbon has more recent depth, with five strong English-medium schools that have expanded since 2019. For families chasing top-tier IB results, both cities deliver.
Is the family visa easier in Lisbon or Rome?
Lisbon. The Portuguese D7, D8 and EU Blue Card all process family reunification quickly with a clear five-year route to permanent residence. Rome uses the EU Blue Card, ICT and elective residence visa, which work cleanly but involve longer Italian consular timelines.
How does the climate compare for families?
Lisbon is Mediterranean-Atlantic with 290 sunny days, 10 to 30 degrees Celsius and easy beach access. Rome is Mediterranean continental, 4 to 32 degrees Celsius, hotter in summer and a touch colder in winter. Spring and autumn are exceptional family seasons in both cities.
Where do most expat families live in each city?
In Lisbon families pick Cascais, Estoril, Sintra, Carcavelos and Restelo. In Rome they pick the Cassia Antica corridor near St George's, AOSR and Marymount, plus Parioli, EUR and Trastevere for central families.
