British Family Saves £26k Annually on Private School Fees by Moving to Portugal
A British family has made a dramatic international move to Portugal, primarily motivated by the substantial savings on private education for their three children. Abbie Shone, aged 36, and her Danish husband Michael, 38, relocated from Buckhurst Hill in Essex to the sunny Algarve region, bringing along their three boys—a ten-year-old and six-year-old twins.
Financial Motivation and Lifestyle Change
The family's decision was driven by a desire for a more outdoorsy and relaxed pace of life, coupled with the opportunity to afford private schooling at less than half the UK price. In Portugal, their annual school fees total just €25,000 (approximately £21,600) for all three children. This stands in stark contrast to the estimated £48,000 per year they would have paid in the United Kingdom to continue their eldest son's private education.
Abbie, who now works as a virtual assistant near Vilamoura, explained the financial strain they faced. "We would only have been able to afford it at a real stretch and by forgoing family holidays," she said. The pandemic provided the confidence to work remotely, and with the twins not yet in school, the timing was ideal for a seamless transition.
Educational Considerations and Daily Life
The family had previously spent £16,000 annually for their eldest son's private primary school in the UK. Now, they pay €2,500 (£2,175) monthly across ten months for all three children. Abbie expressed initial nervousness about the Portuguese education system but found benefits in its focus on mathematics and science during primary years. However, she noted challenges with public schools, including frequent strikes and unpredictable schedules, which reinforced their choice of private education for predictability.
The school day structure differs significantly from the UK, with some days running from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM, leaving afternoons free. This flexibility aligns with their new lifestyle, allowing more family time. All three boys are now fluent in Portuguese, with the eldest following the British curriculum and the twins enrolled in the national system after attending Portuguese nursery.
Enhanced Quality of Life and Community
The move has brought profound lifestyle improvements. The family exchanged their three-bedroom home in Essex with a small concrete garden for a spacious four-bedroom villa in Portugal, complete with a swimming pool, extensive land, and a working fireplace. They sold their UK property for around £600,000 and purchased their new home for €700,000 (£609,241).
Utility costs have decreased notably; with a bore hole and water supply on their property, they have no water bills, and electricity averages €180 to €200 monthly (£155-£172). The Algarve's climate encourages outdoor activities, with weekends often spent at barbecues, beaches, or playing volleyball with friends from a diverse expat community including Americans, Brazilians, and South Africans.
Abbie highlighted the slower pace of life, stating, "Children in the UK are growing up super quick and spend a lot of time using quick tech like an iPad, because they're inside a lot. It becomes the third parent. Whereas in Portugal they treat the children as children for a lot longer." This philosophy resonates with their desire to preserve childhood innocence.
Cost Comparisons and Future Plans
A detailed monthly cost breakdown illustrates the financial advantages:
- UK Costs: Mortgage £2,500, electricity £125, water £40, council tax £296, food shop £1,000 monthly, eating out £150-£200 per meal, school fees £48,000 yearly.
- Portugal Costs: Mortgage €1,800 (£1,566), electricity €180-€200 (£155-£172), water €0, council tax €125 every six months (£108), food shop €250 weekly (£216), eating out €80-€100 per meal (£70-£86), school fees €25,000 (£21,600) yearly.
Food quality has also improved, with access to fresh markets offering fruit and fish. Abbie's weekly grocery spend is around €250 (£216), compared to £1,000 monthly in the UK. Dining out for the family of five averages €80-€100 (£70-£86), significantly less than the £150-£200 previously spent.
While they enjoy visiting friends and family in the UK, Abbie does not foresee a return. "Maybe when the kids get older we will move closer to Lisbon, Porto, or maybe Copenhagen. We will see what the future holds," she said. The family shares their journey on TikTok under the account @abbiekatie35, documenting their new life filled with freedom, flexibility, and financial liberty.
