Moving with your kids to Portugal might just be the ultimate family adventure. It’s a big step that requires a lot of planning, but trust me – it’s worth it. Portugal is a chill, sunny, hardworking country that loves kids and you’re in for a treat. This article is gonna give you the real deal about moving to Portugal with your kids and help you make the best choice for your family.
Moving to Portugal with your kids?
Portugal’s a great place to raise a family. The people there love kids and give them a warm welcome. You’ll see kids of all ages out and about even late at night, hitting up restaurants and local festivals.
Why Portugal is a great place for kids?
Sure, moving to Portugal won’t magically make your kids immune to spending hours on the tablet and on social media, but their lifestyle there is way more outdoor-sy. It’s like the good old days when parents were kids and that’s what they want for their own children.
The weather definitely helps – kids have access to beaches and outdoor spaces for a big chunk of the year. Plus, there’s plenty of stuff for them to do – from playgrounds for little ones to skate parks and lit-up football pitches for the older kids.
According to Unicef, Portugal is just above the UK when it comes to overall child well-being!
Education in Portugal
One big concern about moving to Portugal with kids is their education. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of options, including international schools which come with a price tag. These are way too expensive!
It’s important to remember that Portuguese is the main language in Portugal, not English. English is still taught in schools, but your kids will still need to learn Portuguese. This’ll have a big impact on the decisions you make for their future, so keep it in mind.
Is it hard for children to learn Portuguese?
For young kids, picking up a new language is a breeze. If you enroll them in a Portuguese preschool or primary school, they’ll probably start speaking like a pro in no time. By the time they’re 5 or 6, they’ll probably start correcting you.
For older kids, it can be a bit harder. Not being able to understand what’s going on around them can be tough, especially during their teenage years. The best solution is to help them learn Portuguese as much as you can. That way, they’ll at least be able to read their school schedule when they start.
If you’re in an area with an international school, you could also opt to send them there. Most international schools have English as their main language, so your children will feel at home.
It’s all about finding a balance. Young kids should have no problem in the Portuguese state education system and will fit in with local life. For older kids, you may have to sacrifice some of that integration by sending them to a school where they’ll be mostly with other expat kids. But they can still get involved in local life through after-school clubs.
The Portuguese school system explained
The Portuguese school system is a great option for families who move to Portugal with kids. State schools welcome kids up to 18 years old and they’re required to stay in school till then.
The education journey starts at six years old with three cycles, 1º, 2º, and 3º Ciclo, lasting nine years. Then at 15, secondary education kicks off and kids have the choice to go for academic paths like social science, visual arts, or science and tech, or vocational paths like sports, marketing, or civil construction.
If you’re thinking of moving to Portugal with your kids, get ready to do some serious planning. But trust me, the sunshine and kid-friendly lifestyle in Portugal will make it all worth it!
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