A full international school career from Year 1 to Year 13 at premium tier in Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai or London costs USD 350,000 to 600,000 per child. For two children, that is the price of a house. Plan accordingly.
The scale of the bill
A full international school career from Year 1 to Year 13 at premium tier in Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai or London costs USD 350,000 to 600,000 per child. For two children, that is the price of a house. Plan accordingly.
When to start
As early as possible. The compounding effect of starting at age 3 versus age 8 is material. Most families who plan ahead start at child-birth or earlier.
Vehicles
Tax-advantaged education savings accounts where they exist (US 529 plans, UK Junior ISAs as a partial vehicle, Hong Kong MPF-adjacent products). General investment portfolios for everything else. Currency exposure matters: hold the savings in the currency you expect to pay fees in, or hedge.
Cross-currency reality
Most expat families pay school fees in a different currency from their savings. A 20% GBP-USD move in the wrong direction over five years can blow up a school budget. Plan for it.
Employer contribution
Negotiate the employer school fee allowance separately. See negotiating expat school fee allowance.