Education in Portugal: Complete Guide for Expat Families 2026
Everything expat families need to know about education in Portugal — from public schools and international options to universities and homeschooling.
The Portugal Brief
General Daily Briefing — Monday, 20 April 2026
Sócrates' €50,000 damages action against the State finally goes to trial after nine years. Secondary-school completion rate drops 10.7 points, squeezing university admissions. BES insolvency hole tops €11 billion twelve years after the bank's collapse.
BES Insolvency Hole Tops €11 Billion as Unpaid Interest Compounds Twelve Years After Bank's Collapse
The BES insolvency estate has accumulated more than €11 billion in unmet liabilities as interest on unpaid credits compounds year after year. Twelve years on, the largest bank failure in Portuguese history is still unresolved, and every year costs more.
Secondary-School Completion Rate Slides 10.7 Points as Portuguese Graduates Fall Back to Pre-Pandemic Numbers
Portugal's secondary-school completion rate fell 10.7 percentage points year on year, returning graduate numbers to pre-pandemic levels and fuelling a sharp drop in 2025 university placements. The government is now pivoting toward adult learners.
Nine Years On, Sócrates' Damages Lawsuit Against the Portuguese State Finally Reaches Trial
Lisbon's administrative court begins hearing former PM José Sócrates' €50,000 damages action against the State, filed in February 2017 over the length of Operação Marquês. A parallel ECtHR complaint gives Portugal until 23 July to respond on fair-trial concerns.
Marrying in Portugal as a Foreigner: The Conservatória Process, Documents, Costs, and União de Facto Explained for 2026
Everything foreigners need to know about getting married in Portugal — civil vs Catholic marriage, the Conservatória do Registo Civil process, document and apostille rules, ceremony costs in 2026, property regimes, and how união de facto works as an alternative for couples who don't want to marry.
Rafa Silva Breaks Alvalade Hearts in the 93rd Minute — Benfica Sink Sporting 2-1 to Stay in the Title Race
Benfica came from behind in stoppage time at Alvalade, with Rafa Silva tapping in the winner in the 93rd minute from a Barreiro cut-back. Two contested penalties and a viral Mourinho gesture defined a derby that keeps Benfica in the title race.