Founded in 1848, Deutsche Schule Lissabon is the oldest German school in the Iberian Peninsula and the second oldest German school abroad in the world. With approximately 1,100 students across two campuses — Lumiar in Lisbon city and Estoril on the Cascais coast — DSL offers one of the most geographically convenient international school options in the Greater Lisbon area.
DSL is partially funded by the German Federal Government, making it one of the most affordable international school options in Lisbon at €8,141–€8,364 per year — roughly half the cost of comparable private international schools. Students follow the German national curriculum and graduate with the Deutsches Internationales Abitur, recognised by German universities and universities worldwide.
Education at DSL is trilingual: German is the primary language of instruction, with Portuguese and English taught throughout. Despite the German-medium instruction, students from 30+ countries attend the school. DSL has been twice recognised as an "Outstanding German International School" by the German government's oversight body, and has held Certified Eco-School status since 2014.
Deutsche Schule Lissabon is the second oldest German school abroad in the world, with over 175 years of history. Heavily subsidised by the German Federal Government, fees start at just €8,141/year — roughly half the cost of comparable international schools in Lisbon. Twice recognised as an "Outstanding German International School."
“For us as a German family, DSL was the only real choice. The academic standards are high and our children feel at home.”
German family, moved from Munich — Year 7
“The fees are remarkably affordable for what you get. The Estoril campus is beautiful and the community is very welcoming.”
German-Portuguese family, 2 children — Estoril campus
What families tell us — the things the school's own website won't say
Instruction is in German — children who do not speak German will face a significant language transition period. DSL is primarily suited to German families or families who are specifically committed to a German-medium education. Some parent reviews report concerns about how the school handles disagreements with parents. The student body in secondary increasingly includes non-German native speakers, which some German families view as a concern for language standards. For German families relocating to Lisbon, however, DSL is the obvious first choice — the subsidised fees, the two-campus coverage and the 175-year track record make it hard to beat.
Largo Willy Brandt, 1600-891 Lumiar, Lisboa (main) · Rua Dr. António Martins 26, 2765-194 Estoril (second campus)
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