Schooling from home in Portugal:

A complete guide for 2025

A clear, simple guide for families exploring their options.

Home education (ensino doméstico) is legal in Portugal but regulated.

Children must remain registered with a recognised school, which supervises their progress and conducts annual exams. Parents must have at least completed secondary education to qualify.

Is schooling from home legal in Portugal?

Yes. Families register with a host school, follow administrative rules, and present children for annual assessments/exams. The host school monitors progression and confirms the transition to the next year level.

What are the steps?

1
Register with a school. Families must enrol their child in a public or private school that supports home education.
2
Submit a written request. Notify the school that you wish to pursue ensino doméstico.
3
Provide proof of qualifications. At least one parent must have completed secondary education.
4
Follow the national curriculum. Teaching must align with Ministry learning standards.
5
Complete annual exams. Children are assessed each year at the supervising school to confirm progress.
In Portugal, families who choose ensino doméstico register with a supervising school and follow the national curriculum under that school’s guidance. It gives parents flexibility in daily learning, but it also means handling lesson organisation, communication with the school, and preparing for required assessments each year.
That’s where
helps

What is bina and how is it different?

bina is a global, accredited online school for children ages 4–12.

We offer live, interactive, small-group learning that brings the energy and connection of a great classroom into your home.

Small, live classes with caring teachers

Classes are capped at 7 students, so teachers know your child’s name, learning style, and interests. You stay as involved as you want to be while we handle the teaching and structure.

A curriculum that fits your child

Your child learns at a pace that works for them, with space to explore their interests and the support they need to thrive. Our accredited programme is internationally recognised, giving you peace of mind that they’re learning what matters.

Friendships and belonging

Children make genuine friends with classmates from around the world. In small groups, they build confidence, practise social skills, and feel part of a real community — all from the safety of home.

You stay in the know

You’ll get weekly updates on what your child is learning and quarterly progress reports. A dedicated family success manager works with you to make sure everything fits your goals as a parent.
For legal purposes, families in Portugal enrol through a host school under ensino doméstico (home education). bina provides the daily teaching and progress records, while the host school handles exams and certificates.

What parents say

"bina has helped us navigate SEL in a fun way and develop her independence and confidence!"

Lorena Marden

"My grandson is a hands on and visual learner. Where we live there are no real learning programs geared towards different learning styles. bina has been a blessing for Aydin and our family. The worry and stress have eased tremendously."

Diedre Shakir

“Lily’s love for learning and creativity really gets to shine at bina. As her parents, we are inspired knowing her weekly goals and progress as discussed with us by her teachers and support team.”

Rae Bram

“We spent all of 2023 traveling through all 7 continents. We tried homeschooling, world schooling and even unschooling. Finding bina helped us to bridge the gap we were missing with the other education options we tried.”

Sarah Schmirl

"bina has helped us navigate SEL in a fun way and develop her independence and confidence!"

Lorena Marden

"My grandson is a hands on and visual learner. Where we live there are no real learning programs geared towards different learning styles. bina has been a blessing for Aydin and our family. The worry and stress have eased tremendously."

Diedre Shakir

“Lily’s love for learning and creativity really gets to shine at bina. As her parents, we are inspired knowing her weekly goals and progress as discussed with us by her teachers and support team.”

Rae Bram

“We spent all of 2023 traveling through all 7 continents. We tried homeschooling, world schooling and even unschooling. Finding bina helped us to bridge the gap we were missing with the other education options we tried.”

Sarah Schmirl

Find out if bina is right for you

1
Book a free consultation to see how bina can fit your family’s goals, schedule, and lifestyle.
2
Join a bina adventure with your child and walk away with tailored growth insights — no strings attached.
We’re happy to answer your questions and help you figure out what’s possible for your family.
Whether you’re ready to make a change or just gathering information, we’re here to help.

The questions we hear most from parents like you.

How do the assessments work?

Children complete annual assessments/exams at the host school to progress to the next year.

Does bina replace the host school?

No. bina provides daily live teaching and reports; the host school handles the official enrolment and assessments.

Will my child keep up with the local curriculum?

Yes. bina’s accredited programme meets or exceeds primary expectations. We share clear progress so you always know what’s next.

Will my child make friends if we learn from home?

Small, interactive classes and clubs help children connect quickly across countries and time zones.

How much of my time will this take as a parent?

We teach live and handle the curriculum and structure. You support your child, but you are not expected to be their teacher.

Can we return to a local or international school later?

Yes. Our documentation supports smooth transitions back into recognised schools.

What about screens?

Short blocks, movement and off‑screen activities are built into each day.