Nursery & preschool international school fees in Lisbon (2026)

Nursery and preschool tuition at Lisbon international schools runs roughly EUR 6,000 to EUR 17,000 a year in 2026. Premium early years sits at about EUR 12,000 to 17,000 (USD 13,000 to 18,400), the mid tier at EUR 8,500 to 12,000, and value or bilingual nurseries at EUR 6,000 to 8,500. Early years is the lowest published fee at almost every school. The fuller Lisbon international schools guide covers schools, neighbourhoods and admissions, and our Lisbon international school fees guide sets out the full picture across all stages.

Lisbon has become one of Europe's fastest growing destinations for relocating families, and its international schools have expanded to match. Early years provision spans long established British and American schools west of the city towards Cascais, plus a wave of newer city centre schools opened in the last few years. Fees sit below Northern Europe but the premium schools, several of which run from age three, command numbers comparable to other Western European capitals.

Lisbon nursery and preschool fee bands 2026

The bands below are tuition only and reflect published nursery and reception fees at a spread of Lisbon international schools, adjusted for the early years stage. Treat them as planning ranges. The exact fee depends on the school, the campus location and whether the programme is full day. USD figures are approximate conversions.

TierAnnual tuition (EUR)Annual tuition (USD approx)Illustrative schools
PremiumEUR 12,000 - 17,000USD 13,000 - 18,400St. Julian's School, Carlucci American International School of Lisbon, St Dominic's International School
MidEUR 8,500 - 12,000USD 9,200 - 13,000United Lisbon International School, Park International School, Deutsche Schule Lissabon
Value and bilingualEUR 6,000 - 8,500USD 6,500 - 9,200Lycee Francais Charles Lepierre and smaller bilingual nurseries

School names indicate the fee tier and are illustrative, not a ranking. Confirmed public figures sit inside these bands: St. Julian's School lists nursery and reception tuition near EUR 12,693 for 2025 to 2026, and Carlucci American International School of Lisbon publishes tuition from around EUR 11,716. First year invoices run higher than tuition once one off fees are added, with St. Julian's quoting a first year near EUR 18,384 for a three year old.

Compare Lisbon early years fees side by side

Model nursery tuition against the full cost of place across up to three schools and other stages.

Open the fee comparison tool

What drives the cost of a Lisbon nursery place

Three things move the early years number in Lisbon. The first is curriculum and reputation, where the long established British and American schools sit at the top of the band. The second is location, with schools out towards Cascais and Sintra differing from newer city centre sites. The third is fee inflation, which has run in the mid single digits in recent cycles as demand has risen. Several schools offer sibling discounts, with St. Julian's reducing fees for third and later children.

Hidden costs beyond nursery tuition

Headline tuition is only part of the picture in Lisbon. The lines to plan for are a one off enrolment or registration fee of roughly EUR 1,500 to 3,000, an annual capital or development levy at some schools, a lunch programme of around EUR 1,200 to 1,500, and school transport of EUR 1,000 to 1,800. Together these can add 12 to 20 percent to headline tuition at the premium tier. Our Lisbon fees guide sets out the line items in full, and the relocation cost calculator places them inside a complete family budget.

Frequently asked questions

How much is nursery and preschool international school in Lisbon?

Nursery and preschool tuition runs roughly EUR 6,000 to EUR 17,000 a year in 2026. Premium early years sits at about EUR 12,000 to 17,000 (USD 13,000 to 18,400), the mid tier at EUR 8,500 to 12,000, and value or bilingual nurseries at EUR 6,000 to 8,500.

Are early years fees lower than primary fees in Lisbon?

Yes. Nursery and reception tuition is usually the lowest published fee at a Lisbon international school, sitting below the primary fee at the same school. Most premium schools accept children from age three.

What extra costs apply at a Lisbon nursery?

Expect a one off enrolment fee of roughly EUR 1,500 to 3,000, an annual capital or development levy at some schools, lunch of around EUR 1,200 to 1,500, and transport of EUR 1,000 to 1,800. Sibling discounts are common and reduce the total for later children.

Which Lisbon schools offer nursery and preschool?

Early years is offered at St. Julian's School, Carlucci American International School of Lisbon, St Dominic's International School, United Lisbon International School and the Deutsche Schule Lissabon, among others. The named schools are illustrative of the tier rather than a ranking.

The Expat School Insider

Weekly fee analysis and city by city true cost intelligence for 50+ destinations.

Join 10,000+ families. Unsubscribe anytime. No spam, ever.