ensino básico
Published 5 November 2026, 03:36
ensino básico — basic school education
Compulsory schooling from year 1 to year 9, divided into three cycles: the 1st covers years 1 to 4, the 2nd years 5 and 6, and the 3rd years 7 to 9. After year 9 comes ensino secundário, which lasts another three years.
Where you come across it. Enrolling at school, moving from one school to another, recognition of school years completed abroad.
Many rules are written not by school year but by cycle: "3rd cycle" means years 7, 8 and 9.
Official website: dge.mec.pt