For the first time in history, there are now over 500,000 foreign nationals living in Portugal, 580,000 admitted last year to be exact (January state draft budget 2020), up 90,000 people from the end of 2018. A large proportion are coming as a family and the demand for quality education has led to new schools opening at an alarming rate.

2019 saw a growth in the International Baccalaureate schools, with Oeiras International School opening a Primary School to join their impressive secondary school premises and Sharing International School in TagusPark occupying a former Portuguese school existing premises and expanding. In Cascais, Os Aprendises (Bilingual English/Portuguese school) moved and created a modern, large school to fulfil a much needed secondary for local residents. The Lisbon Montessori School (Cascais) and Kairos Montessori (Cascais) also opened joining the list of international primary schools in the area.

In September 2020, there will be two new international schools opening, one in central Lisbon, the United Lisbon International School and the other in beautiful Sintra, Tasis Portugal. Both schools will offer education for students in Early Childhood from 3 years. ULIS continues to grade 9 (typically 14/15 years); Tasis for the moment is up to grade 7 (age 11/12years) with a middle school to open in 2021.

What is causing the growth of international residents? The sunshine, relaxed lifestyle and security are big pull factors. Portugal is the third safest country in the world in which to live in according to the Global Peace Index. Add to this the residency tax programmes since 2013 - The NHR, Golden Visa, Tech Visa, Sartup Visa and Portugal's swift action to take measures against Covid-19 which received positive feedback around the world. All this has made a big impact to the changing landscape of demand and supply on the international school scene.

Currently there is are waiting lists at almost all the established international schools and demand is set to continue.

What to do?

• Make a list of preferred schools to visit before relocating to Portugal

• Not all schools require a deposit to be added to their waiting list. Join the lists of as many of your preferred schools as you can afford to keep all options open. Do not assume that being early on a waiting list will guarantee a place.

• Think about where you will be living and how this will affect your school journey time. After school activities, play dates with friends and birthday parties on the weekend will also increase your time spent around the school area.