School calendar 2026/27: secondary start moved to 21 September

Despacho n.º 10430/2026, of 21 August 2026, amended the multi-year school calendar set by Despacho n.º 8368/2024. The change: classes in the secondary cursos científico-humanísticos started on 21 September 2026 11. Despacho n.º 10430/2026, de 21 de agostoDiário da República. The Government announced it on 5 August 2026 and said that the 3.º ciclo calendar was not changed 33. Aulas do ensino secundário começam a 21 de setembro, 3.º ciclo sem alteraçõesGoverno da República Portuguesa. The announcement came after the problems with the digital marking of the 2026 national exams, which led to an extraordinary exam season in early September.

2026/27 dates (terms)

Breaks: 16 to 31 December 2026, 8 to 10 February 2027 (Carnaval) and 22 March to 2 April 2027 (Easter) 22. Despacho n.º 8368/2024, de 25 de julhoDiário da República.

The end date for each year of the 1.º ciclo still needs to be confirmed in the annex of the despacho. Check it with your school.

Terms or semesters

Schools may organise the year in two semesters instead of three terms 2. Many collaboration agreements (protocolo de colaboração) tie portfolio deliveries to the end of each term or semester, so ask your school which calendar it uses before agreeing the dates.

See the calendar and portfolio.