International schools in the Netherlands 2026: fees & curricula

International schools in the Netherlands

The Netherlands runs two distinct tiers of English-language schooling. Dutch International Schools (DIS) are part-funded by the state — the only government-subsidised international education in the world — with around 20 schools nationwide teaching in English (often alongside Dutch) and delivering the International Baccalaureate. Fees are modest, roughly €4,400–€6,600 a year, and many use a rolling admission system so families can enrol mid-year. Fully private international schools in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Eindhoven offer British (IGCSE/A-Level), American, IB and French programmes; expect around €16,000–€30,000 a year, with secondary years at the top of the range. Popular schools have waiting lists, so apply early.

Public schools and homeschooling

Education is compulsory (leerplicht) from age 5 to 18 for every child resident in the Netherlands, regardless of nationality, though most start at age 4. Children of legal residents attend Dutch public schools free of charge; younger children absorb the language fast, while older teens often prefer a DIS or private international school. Unlike Portugal, homeschooling is heavily restricted: it is not recognised as a standard alternative to school, and exemptions are granted only in narrow, exceptional cases. Do not plan a move around homeschooling here without checking your situation with the municipality first.

At a glance

Where it fits in a borderless plan

The subsidised DIS network makes the Netherlands one of the better-value places in Western Europe for English-language schooling, and schools are often the deciding factor in a family move. Weigh them alongside healthcare, banking and where you are tax-resident. Compare options across countries in our international-schools guide.