In this guide
Your three school options
Families moving to Amsterdam face a clearer set of choices than in most cities, but the choices are unusual, so it helps to name them. The first is the subsidised Dutch International Schools, which sit inside the state-funded system and charge a modest annual contribution. The Amsterdam International Community School is the flagship, offering international education across primary and secondary for families with an international background or a confirmed relocation. The second is the fully private sector, led by the International School of Amsterdam in Amstelveen, an IB continuum school for ages 2 to 18, and the British School of Amsterdam near the Vondelpark, which follows the English National Curriculum from age 3 to 18. The third, often overlooked, is the mainstream Dutch system, which is free and excellent but taught in Dutch, making it best suited to younger children or longer stays. Most relocating families choose between the first two tracks, and our IB curriculum guide helps if you are weighing the IB route.
Where families live
In Amsterdam the school and the neighbourhood are a single decision, because the city is compact and the commute is usually by bike or tram. International families tend to cluster in a handful of areas. Amsterdam Zuid and the adjoining Zuidas business district are popular with families working in the financial sector and within reach of several schools. Amstelveen, the green municipality just to the south, is the natural choice for families set on the International School of Amsterdam, which sits there. Central neighbourhoods such as Oud-Zuid and the Jordaan appeal to families who want city living and are happy with a slightly longer school run. The practical rule is to choose your district around the school and the daily travel rather than the other way round, and to confirm the realistic commute before you sign a lease.
Amsterdam Zuid and Zuidas
Well connected, popular with expat professionals, and within reach of several international schools and the Zuidas commute.
Amstelveen
Green and family-friendly, home to the International School of Amsterdam, and favoured by families set on the IB continuum.
Oud-Zuid and central
City living near the Vondelpark and the British School of Amsterdam, with a slightly longer but very doable school run.
What it costs
School cost in Amsterdam depends almost entirely on which track you choose, and the gap is large. The subsidised Dutch International Schools charge a modest annual contribution because they receive state funding, which makes them the most affordable structured route for eligible international families. The fully private schools charge full fees that rise with the stage and can be substantial at sixth form, in line with major international cities. On top of tuition, budget for one-off registration fees, and for the wider cost of living, which in Amsterdam is shaped most by housing. Our guide to international school fees in Amsterdam sets out the bands across both systems, and our how much are international school fees in Amsterdam in 2026 explainer answers the cost question directly. For the full relocation budget, the relocation cost calculator helps you model housing, schooling and daily costs together.
Free Amsterdam family relocation checklist
Our printable checklist covers the school decision alongside the practical moves, from municipal registration to choosing a district by commute. Free with email and no sales follow-up. Request the checklist.
Timing your move
The Dutch school year begins in the second half of August, after the North-region summer holiday, which in 2026 runs from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 16 August. An August start with the rest of the cohort is the smoothest entry, so aim to have a school place confirmed before the summer. Because the subsidised schools allocate from a waiting pool ordered by anticipated start date, and the private schools fill popular year groups first, the autumn and winter before your move are the strongest months to apply. If your relocation timeline is fixed by an employer, work back from the August start and treat the school search as the first task, not the last. Our best time to move to Amsterdam for international schools guide weighs the options in detail, and our Amsterdam admissions deadlines 2026 page sets out the application window.
Helping children settle
Amsterdam makes settling in easier than most cities, but a few things help. Choose a school with strong support for English as an additional language if your child is not a confident English speaker, because the international cohorts are highly mixed and good schools are practised at integrating new arrivals. Lean on the school's buddy systems and parent networks, which are active in a city with so many relocating families. Encourage some Dutch, even informally, because it opens up local sports clubs and friendships outside school. And build the daily rhythm around the bike, since the school run by bicycle quickly becomes one of the best parts of family life in Amsterdam. For younger children specifically, our Amsterdam primary schools guide covers the early-years and primary options in more depth.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main school options for families moving to Amsterdam?
Families have two broad routes. Government subsidised Dutch International Schools, such as the Amsterdam International Community School, charge a modest annual contribution and suit families with an international background or a confirmed move. Fully private schools, such as the International School of Amsterdam and the British School of Amsterdam, charge full fees but offer free choice. Some families also consider mainstream Dutch schools, which are free but taught in Dutch.
Where do international families tend to live in Amsterdam?
International families cluster where the schools and commute work, particularly Amsterdam Zuid and the Zuidas business district, the leafier Amstelveen to the south near the International School of Amsterdam, and central neighbourhoods such as Oud-Zuid and the Jordaan. Choose your district around the school and your daily travel rather than the other way round.
How much do international schools in Amsterdam cost?
It depends entirely on the track. The subsidised Dutch international schools charge a modest annual contribution because of their state funding, while fully private schools charge full fees that rise with the stage and can be substantial at sixth form. Our Amsterdam fees guide sets out the bands; always confirm the current figure with the school.
Do children need to speak Dutch to attend international school in Amsterdam?
No. International schools teach in English and admit children from many language backgrounds, with support for English as an additional language where needed. Dutch is usually offered as a subject. Learning some Dutch helps children settle into local life, but it is not a requirement for an international school place.