Returning to school after homeschooling

Home education does not have to be forever. Families move back and forth between home and school: press features describe children who were homeschooled for years and then joined school in 5.º or 8.º ano.66. Ir à escola dentro de casa. Há mais de 600 crianças em ensino doméstico em Portugal (16 October 2023)Diário de Notícias A new teacher, a move, a change in the child's wishes or the approach of secondary school can all be good reasons. This guide explains how the return works and what to keep so it goes smoothly.

What the law says

DL 70/2021 is short on this point. A move from ensino doméstico or individual back to school "follows the enrolment rules" for the school offer concerned.11. Decreto-Lei n.º 70/2021, de 3 de agostoDiário da República In other words, there is no special homeschool procedure: your child enrols like any other pupil.

Three other rules matter:

• The file follows your child. The school keeps an individual pupil file (processo individual) during home education, and it goes with the pupil when they change school.1 It contains the collaboration agreement (protocolo de colaboração), individual ModA reports where applicable, and other relevant documents.1
• The protocol ends. The ministry's model protocol ends early when the pupil moves to in-person school, changes school or moves abroad.44. 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)
• No entry test. The law sets no entry test for a pupil returning from home education.1 Schools may still want to get to know your child, and practice varies.

Which year your child joins

In a year without end-of-cycle tests (for example 2.º, 3.º, 5.º, 7.º or 8.º ano), there is no formal decision on passing the year for a homeschooled pupil; progress is followed through the portfolio (portefólio).1 In practice the pupil usually continues in the sequence of years in which they were enrolled. The texts we reviewed do not set a specific rule, so confirm with the school before the move.

At the end of a cycle (4.º, 6.º or 9.º ano), the result of the tests decides. A pupil who is approved moves on to the next cycle. A pupil who is still not approved after the second phase stays in the final year of the cycle.55. Portaria n.º 223-A/2018 (consolidated version)Diário da República (copy hosted by Casa Pia de Lisboa)1 The approval rules are in the exams guide.

Returning at the end of a school year

This is the simplest route. Use the normal enrolment and renewal windows. For 2026/27 they were:22. Despacho n.º 4472-A/2026, de 6 de abril (matrículas 2026/27)Diário da República33. Despacho n.º 8885-A/2026, de 14 de julho (alteração ao Despacho n.º 4472-A/2026)Diário da República (copy hosted by Agrupamento de Escolas de Moimenta da Beira)

The 2027/28 calendar had not been published at the time of writing; it is normally set each spring. Check the calendar from April.

Tell the school of enrolment in writing that your child will not continue in home education next year, and ask what it needs from you. If your child is changing school at the same time, the file goes with them to the new school.1

Returning during the school year

The law allows a move into home education during the year, and a return to school follows the general enrolment rules.1 DL 70/2021 does not set a special window for a mid-year return. In practice you ask the school for a place; schools handle it case by case, depending on places and the time of year.

If your child is in a year with end-of-cycle tests, ask early how they will be assessed after the move, so that there are no surprises in June.

Documents to keep

The school keeps the official file, but keep your own copies. They help the new teachers understand your child's path and protect you if something is lost.

If home education ends because of a problem

If the school cancels home education, after two consecutive years of non-approval at the end of a cycle or for breach of the protocol, your child must move to in-person school with effect from the tenth working day after notification.1 This is a different and faster route than a voluntary return. See If things go wrong.

Settling back in

• Share the portfolio. A short summary of what your child did and enjoyed helps the class teacher start well.
• Mention gaps honestly. If some parts of the curriculum were covered lightly, say so. The teacher can plan support.
• Ask about support. If your child had support measures, ask how they will continue at school.
• Give it time. Timetables, groups and homework take adjustment, for children and parents.

Going back to home education later

A return to school is not a final decision. You can apply for home education again later, including during the school year, using the same procedure as the first time.1 See How to start.