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Portugal, Lisbon
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The Deutsche Schule Lissabon is a private German-Portuguese encounter school founded in 1848, making it the third-oldest German overseas school. It offers education from Kindergarten through the German International Abitur at the end of Grade 12. The school emphasizes contemporary, integrated teaching and the development of social competencies through a comprehensive cross-disciplinary competence curriculum taught by all teachers. Students are prepared for the German Abitur, and since 2019 also for the German International Abitur.
A broad range of artistic and cultural activities is offered, including music with orchestras, bands, and choir, as well as theatre and circus programs. Visual arts and extensive after-school activities complement the curriculum, with about 55 clubs (AGs) available from primary through secondary levels.
Bilinguality and intercultural exchange are core to the DSL. The school brings together German- and Portuguese-speaking children, with Portuguese viewed as the language of the host country and German as the instructional language. Portuguese is a required subject for German-speaking students, while English begins in Grade 3 and French starts in Grade 7. The school promotes ongoing German-Portuguese cultural connections and exchanges, including language and study opportunities in both countries.
An extensive after-school program features a wide range of clubs and activities across the full range from Kindergarten to Gymnasium, including sports, arts, music, science, and Model United Nations. The vibrant social environment includes theatre and circus offerings, as well as opportunities to engage in teamwork and leadership through student groups and events.
Community service and social responsibility are fostered through diverse projects and charitable activities that involve helping others and supporting those in need. The school hosts regular social initiatives and youth involvement programs to cultivate empathy and social engagement among students.
A Berufs- und Studienberatung (career and study counseling) supports students in planning their future studies and professions. An annual Market der Möglichkeiten provides students with exposure to higher education and career opportunities, and there are structured activities to develop leadership and representation, including class representative training and student government initiatives.
Inclusion of students with disabilities is actively implemented, with support from a school psychologist and social pedagogues. A health service staffed by a nurse and a school doctor ensures medical care, and the school is certified Eco-Schools for its environmental initiatives. The campus offers extensive facilities, including a swimming pool and a large gym in Lisbon, as well as a well-equipped Estoril site housing the kindergarten and primary school.
Deutsche Schule Lissabon is a private German-Portuguese encounter school for ages 3 to 18, with about 1,060 students and around 145 teachers. It operates as a Deutsche Auslandsschule and offers the German International Abitur, with Hauptschulabschluss and Realschulabschluss awarded; Abitur is taken at the end of Grade 12 and is recognised for university admission in Portugal. Instruction is in German across Grundschule (primary) and Gymnasium (secondary). Grundschule Lisbon follows the Thüringen education plan, teaching Deutsch Sprachkompetenzraster for Grades 1–4, Sachunterricht, Mathematics, Portugiesisch as L1 and L2, Ethik/Religion, Sport, Musik, and Kunst, with English introduced in early grades. Gymnasium follows German curricula for Sekundarstufe I (Grades 5–9) and Oberstufe (Grades 10–12) with subjects including Biology, Chemistry, Deutsch, Englisch, Geografie, Ethik/Philosophie, Französisch, Geschichte, Portugiesisch, Informatik, Mathematik, Musik, Kunst, Physik. The school emphasises bilinguality between German and Portuguese and intercultural exchanges. Facilities include Lisbon and Estoril campuses, science labs, arts and sports facilities, a swimming pool, and ongoing earthquake reinforcement and expansion.”
