Language schools in Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon, Portugal's capital, is a natural place to learn European Portuguese: you hear the language every day, the city has a long university tradition, and courses run all year. Students range from people preparing to live or work in Portugal to Erasmus students, retirees and travellers who combine lessons with a stay in a city with about 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, according to the University of Lisbon.

Most courses follow the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), from A1 to C2. Students who need proof of their level can take the official Portuguese as a foreign language exams of CAPLE, the assessment centre of the University of Lisbon.

What the schools offer

Our directory lists five language schools in Lisbon. They range from a school with classrooms in the city to online-only programmes:

• CIAL Centro de Línguas, founded in 1959, teaches Portuguese as a foreign language in Lisbon and Faro and states that more than 1,200 students from over 50 countries study with it every year, aged from 18 to over 80. Group courses last from 1 to 36 weeks, with four 50-minute lessons a day, at most eight students per class, book and social activities included and no registration fee; prices start at €299, or €390 with an extra afternoon workshop lesson. Beginners start on set dates, and other levels can start any Monday. CIAL also teaches Brazilian and African Portuguese, business Portuguese and Erasmus courses.
• International House Portugal has been in the country since 1963 and belongs to the International House World Organisation. Its schools have been authorised Cambridge English exam centres since 2011 and also run the CELTA teacher training course.
• Ciberescola da Língua Portuguesa is an online platform with interactive resources and courses in Portuguese as a non-native language; its 2026-27 classes start between 1 and 6 October.
• Falamos Português gives individual or group live video classes in European Portuguese and prepares students online for the CAPLE exams.

Escola de Línguas completes our list.

Levels, certificates and exams

At CIAL, new students take an oral interview and a written placement test on the first day. A test at the end of each level covers reading, writing, listening and speaking, and students need 75% to move up. For an official certificate, CAPLE exams are open to anyone over 16, registration is possible all year, and the exams are recognised by Portuguese and foreign institutions for professional, social and educational purposes. CIAL states that CAPLE exams are held in May, July and November at six levels.

Accommodation and costs

CIAL arranges two main types of housing in Lisbon. A single room in a private home costs €200 a week in 2026 (€225 in 2027) with breakfast; kitchen use and laundry are not included, and no two students with the same mother tongue share a house. Shared apartments a few minutes' walk from the school cost €225 a week for a single room or €190 for a shared room in 2026, plus a €50 booking fee.

For longer stays, the University of Lisbon's international student guide gives monthly costs of €400 to €550 for a room in Lisbon (utilities may not be included), about €325 for meals and €40 for a bus and metro pass.

Practical tips

• Check whether a course teaches European or Brazilian Portuguese
• If you need a certificate for work or study, plan your course around a CAPLE exam date
• Non-EU students on longer study programmes need a study visa from a Portuguese embassy or consulate; check the rules for language courses with the consulate before you book

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Portuguese course in Lisbon cost?

At CIAL, group courses start at €299, with no registration fee. A single room in a private home costs €200 a week in 2026.

Can I start a Portuguese course in Lisbon as a complete beginner?

Yes. CIAL has fixed start dates for A1 beginners throughout the year, and students at other levels can start any Monday.

Which official exam proves my level of Portuguese?

The CAPLE exams of the University of Lisbon certify Portuguese as a foreign language and are open to candidates over 16.

Can I learn Portuguese online with a Lisbon school?

Yes. Ciberescola da Língua Portuguesa and Falamos Português teach online, and Falamos Português also prepares students for the CAPLE exams.