Homeschooling in Macau
Macau permits home education with registration but does not mandate school attendance during compulsory years.
Homeschooling is legal in Macau under Article 14 of Lei 9/2006 (Fundamental Law of Non-Tertiary Education), which explicitly facilitates home education through cooperation between government departments and private entities. Registration of children for access or school attendance is mandatory during compulsory education years, but school attendance itself is not compulsory. The Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) supervises all education from pre-primary to upper secondary level.
Quick Reference
School Days
-
No minimum
Hours Required
-
No minimum
Subjects
0
required
Notification
Yes
once
Key Requirements at a Glance
- Compulsory education applies universally to minors aged 5-15 years.
- Education system regulated by Lei n.º 9/2006 for non-tertiary levels.
- DSEDJ coordinates non-higher education policies and supervision.
- Private schools regulated under Lei n.º 15/2020, requiring authorization and oversight.
- No official DSEDJ guidance or legislation on homeschooling (ensino domiciliar) identified.
- Macau SAR defines its own education policies per Basic Law Article 121.
Legal Framework
Macau's education framework rests on: (1) Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region Article 121 (education provision); (2) Lei n.º 9/2006 — Lei de Bases do Sistema Educativo Não Superior (Fundamental Law of the Non-Higher Education System), promulgated 26 December 2006, the foundational statute for K-12 education; (3) implementing administrative regulations including Regulamento Administrativo n.º 20/2006, n.º 15/2014, n.º 10/2015, and n.º 14/2019; (4) Lei Básica regulations on language and curriculum policy. Compulsory education applies to children between ages 5 and 15: the duty to attend begins in the school year in which the child completes 5 years and ends in the school year in which the student completes general secondary education or reaches age 15. Compulsory education comprises the third year of pre-school education + primary education + general secondary education (15 years of free schooling overall, of which compulsory range covers ages 5-15). Responsible authority: Direcção dos Serviços de Educação e de Desenvolvimento da Juventude (DSEDJ).
Filing Requirements
What to file
Declaration of Attendance at School or equivalent registration
When
Before age 5 entry into compulsory period
Where
DSEJ (Direcção dos Serviços de Educação e de Desenvolvimento da Juventude)
How to submit
In-person or online via gov.mo portal
What to include
- • Child details for access or school attendance registration
Interpreted from Lei 9/2006 requiring guardian registration for 'access or school attendance'; no homeschool-specific form confirmed[2][5]
How to Get Started
- 1
Register child with DSEJ via Declaration of Attendance
- 2
Prepare home education plan
- 3
Contact DSEJ for clarification if needed
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Legal facilitation in law
- ✓Low regulation
Cons
- •Grey area uncertainty
- •No official homeschool support
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Last updated: 2026-04-26 · MO homeschool law guide