The protocolo de colaboração, what it must say and how to agree fair terms

The collaboration agreement (protocolo de colaboração) is the document that turns an approved request into a working arrangement. It sets who does what, when you meet the school and how progress is followed. The law defines it as an agreement reached "through prior negotiation" between the guardian and the school management.11. Decreto-Lei n.º 70/2021, de 3 de agostoDiário da República That word matters: the protocol is negotiated, not simply handed to you.

When the protocol comes into play

After the school approves your request, it sends a draft protocol (minuta) within 10 working days. You have 10 working days to send your proposal, and then up to 10 working days to negotiate.1 Your child's enrolment is conditional until the protocol is signed.1 The protocol normally lasts one school year.1 The full sequence is in How to start.

What the protocol must contain

Article 12.º n.º 2 of DL 70/2021, as amended in 2025, lists ten mandatory items:122. Decreto-Lei n.º 8/2025, de 11 de fevereiroDiário da República

The protocol may also allow your child to use school spaces, especially the library and resource centre. In that case, pupils enrolled in state schools are covered by school insurance.1

The ministry's model protocol

In August 2021 the ministry's schools directorate (DGEstE) published a model protocol with an explanatory note.33. Protocolo de colaboração no âmbito do ensino individual e do ensino doméstico: nota explicativa e minuta (DGEstE, August 2021)DGEstE (copy hosted by Arlindovsky blog) Most schools start from it. It is guidance, not law, but it shows what a typical protocol looks like:3

• the parties may add further in-person sessions, and the number of meetings should be written into the protocol;
• the portfolio is sent at least 10 days before the meeting;
• the pupil's educational plan (projeto educativo) must show the curriculum organisation (Perfil dos Alunos, Aprendizagens Essenciais) and the mandatory Cidadania e Desenvolvimento domains;
• the protocol ends early if the pupil moves to classroom school, changes school, changes regime or moves abroad.

Schools then adapt the model. One published example, from the Agrupamento de Escolas de Arganil, asks for the portfolio at the end of each term, at least 10 days before the class council's assessment meeting, plus a meeting in June.44. Minuta de Protocolo de Colaboração, Ensino DomésticoAgrupamento de Escolas de Arganil That is one school's choice. The law itself only guarantees one in-person session at the end of the year.1

What to negotiate

Portfolio frequency

The portfolio is sent "with the regularity defined in the protocol".1 Some schools ask for it each term, others at the end of the year. If the draft asks for more than you think useful, propose an alternative and explain why: for example, one mid-year check-in and the end-of-year session. Tie the dates to the school's own calendar (terms or semesters) so everyone knows them in advance. See The portfolio.

Meetings and visits

The model protocol says the number of meetings should be written down.3 Ask for dates, or at least months, to be fixed in the protocol. The Movimento Educação Livre recommends negotiating how often meetings happen and asking for at least 10 days' notice of any visit.55. Perguntas frequentesMovimento Educação Livre (MEL)

The end-of-year session, in person or remote

The end-of-year session at the school is mandatory.1 "In exceptional cases, duly justified and proven", you may ask the director to hold it by videoconference instead. Your request must explain why you cannot attend in person, include the portfolio and other documents, and show that suitable technical means exist. The director decides.1 Families who travel for part of the year may want to mention this possibility during negotiation, while accepting that it is an exception.

Access to school resources

For pupils enrolled in state schools, the law gives access to free textbooks (those adopted by the school), school social support and, in the 1.º ciclo, after-school enrichment activities.1 Library use can be added to the protocol.1 If these matter to you, make sure the protocol mentions them.

Common over-reach, and how to reply politely

Families' associations have reported, in submissions to Parliament, schools asking for more than the law requires.66. ANPED, submission to the Assembleia da República on constraints faced by homeschooling familiesAssembleia da República Examples include:

Some of these reports date from before DL 70/2021, and many schools work well with families. When a request goes beyond the law, a calm reply usually works better than a confrontation:

1. Thank the school and restate the shared goal. You both want the child to learn and to pass the end-of-cycle tests.
2. Ask for the basis. "Could you tell us which provision this requirement is based on?" is a fair, neutral question.
3. Quote the article. Refer to article 12.º (protocol) or 18.º (portfolio) of DL 70/2021.
4. Offer an alternative. For example, a plan organised by domain rather than by week, or two portfolio deliveries instead of three.
5. Keep it in writing. Summarise any verbal agreement in a short e-mail.

Our templates page has Portuguese letters, with English mirrors, that you can adapt for this kind of reply. If the disagreement persists, see If things go wrong.

Before you sign

• Are the meeting dates or months written down?
• Is the portfolio frequency clear, with delivery dates tied to the school calendar?
• Does the protocol name the tests your child will sit this year? See Exams.
• Are textbooks, library access or support measures included, if you need them?
• Is the duration one school year, with a clear renewal route?

A clear protocol protects both sides. It gives the school the information it needs and gives you a predictable year.