At a glance
| Factor | Madrid | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | EUR 18,000 to 30,000 | EUR 13,500 to 27,000 |
| Dominant curricula | Spanish bilingual, IB, British, American | Portuguese bilingual, IB, British, American |
| Cost of living vs Madrid (May 2026) | Baseline | About 10 to 20 percent lower |
| Family visa route | Spain Digital Nomad visa, Skilled Worker, or Non-Lucrative Residence | Portugal D7, D8 Digital Nomad, or D2 Entrepreneur visa |
| Expat share of population | About 13 percent of Madrid born overseas | About 11 percent of Greater Lisbon |
| Typical relocation timeline | 10 to 14 weeks | 8 to 12 weeks |
Madrid has the bigger and more established international school market and is the obvious choice for corporate relocations. Lisbon is cheaper, sunnier, and has become the European hub for remote-working families since 2020, supported by the D7 and D8 visa routes. Both offer English-medium provision to age 18 and full IB Diploma options.
Schools landscape side by side
Madrid's international bench is led by the American School of Madrid (ASM), International College Spain (IB continuum), King's College Madrid (British), British Council School, Hastings School, Runnymede College and ICS (Madrid). Add a wider bilingual network with English sections, including Brains International, SEK schools and Colegio Estudio. Most schools accept Year 7 entries on a rolling basis outside of August intake peaks. See our Madrid city guide for the full school landscape.
Lisbon's expat bench includes Saint Julian's School (the long-running British flagship in Carcavelos), Carlucci American International School, St Dominic's International School, the International School of Lisbon (Sintra and central campuses) and Park International School. CAISL and St Julian's are the most globally recognised. The wider Portuguese private network with English sections (Colegio Sao Joao de Brito, Colegio Moderno) provides cheaper bilingual options.
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
Madrid premium senior school fees in 2026 sit between EUR 18,000 and EUR 30,000 at ASM, ICS, King's College Madrid and British Council School. Mid-tier British and bilingual schools run EUR 11,000 to EUR 17,000. Enrolment fees of EUR 1,000 to EUR 3,000 per child plus comedor, transport and uniform add 25 to 40 percent on top of headline tuition. See our Madrid fees guide for the all-in load.
Lisbon is consistently cheaper. Saint Julian's senior fees run EUR 18,000 to EUR 26,000 at IB Diploma. CAISL lands at EUR 19,000 to EUR 25,000. Mid-tier schools deliver an IB or British programme for EUR 11,500 to EUR 19,000. Enrolment is typically EUR 800 to EUR 3,500 in Year 1. Use the cost calculator to model both cities side by side.
Curriculum availability
Both cities offer IB Diploma at top-tier schools and British curriculum through dedicated providers. Madrid has more American curriculum depth through ASM. Lisbon's Saint Julian's runs both English National Curriculum and IB Diploma, making it one of the most flexible Tier 1 schools in Europe. Bilingual Spanish and Portuguese sections in both cities are strong for families willing to commit to the local language.
Neighbourhoods families pick
Madrid families cluster in La Moraleja, La Finca and Conde Orgaz in the north of the city for proximity to ASM, ICS, King's College Madrid and other premium schools. A four-bedroom house in La Moraleja runs EUR 4,500 to EUR 9,000 per month; equivalent apartment in central Salamanca or Chamberi runs EUR 3,500 to EUR 6,500.
Lisbon families pick Cascais and Estoril on the coast for Saint Julian's and CAISL access, and Linho or Sintra for the IB schools. A four-bedroom villa in Cascais runs EUR 2,800 to EUR 5,500 per month; equivalent apartment in central Lisbon (Lapa, Estrela, Principe Real) runs EUR 2,500 to EUR 4,500. Rentals are notably cheaper than Madrid equivalents.
Lifestyle and climate
Madrid wins on cultural depth, international air links, restaurants and the breadth of business activity. Lisbon wins on weather, beaches, surf, a slower rhythm and the global remote-working community that has settled there since 2020. The Lisbon school day finishes earlier and the broader rhythm is calmer, which matters for families with younger children.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Madrid if you want corporate-grade international schools, deeper business connectivity and Spain's largest expat economy. Choose Lisbon if you want lower fees, sunnier weather, easier remote-work visas through D7 or D8, and a more relaxed family pace. Most families we work with run both cities through the cost calculator before committing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Madrid or Lisbon cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Lisbon is meaningfully cheaper. Premium school fees run 15 to 30 percent lower in Lisbon than Madrid at equivalent tiers, and housing is 20 to 35 percent cheaper in Cascais and central Lisbon compared with La Moraleja and Salamanca.
Which city has better international schools?
Madrid has the wider top tier, especially for American curriculum families through ASM. Lisbon's Saint Julian's is one of the most flexible Tier 1 schools in Europe, offering both English National Curriculum and IB Diploma.
Is the visa process easier in Madrid or Lisbon?
Lisbon is simpler for remote workers through Portugal's D7 and D8 visas. Madrid is more straightforward for traditional corporate sponsorship through the Skilled Worker route. Both readily admit family members of the principal applicant.
Can my children continue learning English in Madrid or Lisbon?
Yes in both. All listed international schools teach in English with optional Spanish or Portuguese language pathways. Bilingual options are also widely available and substantially cheaper.
Where do most international school families live in each city?
Madrid families cluster in La Moraleja, La Finca and Conde Orgaz in the north. Lisbon families pick Cascais and Estoril on the coast, with Linho and Sintra for IB schools further west.
