Kindergartens and childcare in Portugal: creche, jardim de infância and costs

Moving to Portugal with young children? Good news: Portugal has some of the most generous childcare support in Europe. Under the Creche Feliz programme, nursery for children up to age 3 can be completely free, and public kindergarten from age 3 is free too.

The challenge isn't cost – it's finding a place. This guide explains how childcare works in Portugal, how to apply for a free creche, what private options cost, and how to improve your chances of getting a spot.

Quick summary:

How Childcare Works in Portugal

Creche (0–3 years)

Creches accept babies from around 4 months up to age 3. They're run by:

• IPSS – private non-profit social institutions (the majority)
• Misericórdias – charitable institutions
• Municipal creches
• Private for-profit creches

Amas (childminders)

Registered childminders who care for small groups of children in their homes, including amas da Segurança Social.

Jardim de Infância (3–6 years)

Pre-school education. The public network (attached to state schools) is free, with only meals and extended-hours activities charged. Private and IPSS kindergartens also exist. Pre-school isn't compulsory, but almost all children attend.

School (6+)

Compulsory education starts at age 6 with the 1st cycle of primary school.

Creche Feliz: Free Nursery in Portugal

Creche Feliz is a government programme that makes creche free for all children born on or after 1 September 2021, with no income test, as long as they attend a participating creche or ama.

What's covered

• Monthly fees
• Enrolment fees
• Meals

The state pays the creche directly – around €551 per child per month in 2026 – so families pay nothing for the basic service. Check

Which creches participate?

• Creches in the social and solidarity network (IPSS, Misericórdias)
• Amas da Segurança Social
• Public creches
• Private for-profit creches that have joined the programme (rede lucrativa aderente), usually when there aren't enough places in the social network nearby

Not every private creche participates, and some private creches charge for extras.

Who can apply?

Any child born on or after 1 September 2021 who lives in mainland Portugal. Foreign families are eligible on the same terms. Madeira and the Azores have their own regional schemes.

How to Apply for a Free Creche (2026)

The process changed in 2026:

• Since 9 April 2026, free creche applications are made exclusively online through Segurança Social Direta. Check
• The Creche Feliz app was discontinued in May 2026.

Step by step

1. Get a NISS for the parent and, ideally, the child, and access to Segurança Social Direta (with a password or Chave Móvel Digital).
2. In Segurança Social Direta, go to the free creche application (gratuitidade da creche).
3. Choose your preferred creches in your area.
4. Submit and track the status under "Candidaturas em curso".
5. When a place is confirmed, formalise enrolment directly with the creche – there's no enrolment fee or monthly fee for covered places.

Priority criteria

Places are limited, so creches use priority rules. Common priorities include:

• Siblings already attending the creche
• Children with disabilities or special needs
• Families in vulnerable situations
• Parents who live or work in the creche's area

The Big Problem: Finding a Place

Free creche is a right on paper, but demand is much higher than supply, especially in Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and fast-growing suburbs. Many parents spend months on waiting lists.

Tips to improve your chances:

• Apply as early as possible – many parents apply during pregnancy.
• Apply to several creches in your area.
• Visit creches in person and introduce yourself to the director.
• Ask about mid-year places – children leave when families move.
• Check participating private creches if the social network is full.
• Consider an ama as a temporary solution.
• Check with your Câmara MunicipalThe municipal (town or city) council. Among other things, it usually handles registration of EU citizens (CRUE). – some councils run their own creches or offer extra support.

Private Childcare Costs

If you don't get a free place, or prefer a specific private or international creche, expect to pay:

Prices often exclude registration fees, meals, nappies and extracurricular activities.

Tax relief: education and childcare expenses can be deducted from your IRSPersonal income tax. Tax residents file an annual IRS return through the Portal das Finanças. (income tax) if invoices include your NIF.

Jardim de Infância (Pre-school) from Age 3

Public kindergartens

• Free tuition (meals and after-hours activities are charged, often based on income)
• Typical hours: 9:00–15:30, with optional AAAF extended-hours activities for working parents
• Applications are usually made online on the Portal das Matrículas (enrolment portal) in spring for the following school year (September)
• Priority usually goes to children who live in the school's catchment area and children turning 5 or 4

Private and international kindergartens

Popular with expat families – fees range from €300 to €1,000+ per month. International schools in Lisbon, Cascais, Porto and the Algarve often start at age 3 and teach in English or bilingually.

Other Childcare Options

• Nannies (babysitters / amas particulares): around €7–€12 per hour; full-time nannies €900–€1,400 per month.
• ATL (Atividades de Tempos Livres): after-school and holiday programmes for school-age children.
• Holiday camps (campos de férias): run by councils, sports clubs and private organisations in summer.

Parental Support in Portugal

• Parental leave: up to 120–150 days paid (longer if shared between parents), through Segurança Social.
• Abono de família: monthly child benefit based on household income.
• IRS deductions for dependants and education expenses.

Documents You'll Usually Need

• Child's birth certificate (with translation if needed)
• Parents' ID / residence permits
• NIF and NISS of parents (and child, if available)
• Proof of address
• Child's vaccination record (boletim de vacinas)
• Child's número de utente
• Proof of employment (for priority criteria)

Final Thoughts

Childcare in Portugal is affordable – often free – but places are the real bottleneck. Get your NISS and Segurança Social Direta access sorted early, apply to several creches as soon as you can, and have a backup plan with an ama or private creche. From age 3, the free public jardim de infância network makes things much easier.