At a glance
| Factor | Amsterdam | Brussels |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | EUR 5,500 at DIS schools; EUR 16,000 to 28,500 at fully private internationals | EUR 8,000 to 49,700 across early years through IB Diploma |
| Dominant curricula | IB, Dutch International (DIS), British, French | European Schools, IB, British, French |
| Cost of living (Numbeo, May 2026) | See narrative below for index detail | See narrative below for index detail |
| Family visa | Highly Skilled Migrant permit with 30 percent ruling and family reunification | Single Permit, EU Blue Card, EU institutions schemes |
| Expat share of population | Around 18 percent of Amsterdam metro is internationally born | About 38 percent of Brussels Capital Region is foreign-born |
| Typical relocation timeline | 10 to 14 weeks | 8 to 12 weeks |
Amsterdam and Brussels both deliver world-class IB and British pathways. The deciding factors are climate, cost of living, visa, and which curriculum your family wants to commit to for the next five to ten years.
Schools landscape side by side
Amsterdam's international school market is led by International School of Amsterdam (ISA, IB continuum), Amsterdam International Community School (AICS, DIS), British School of Amsterdam, Lycee Vincent van Gogh, Optimist International School. See the Amsterdam schools hub for the full landscape.
Brussels's market is led by International School of Brussels (ISB), British School of Brussels (BSB) in Tervuren, St John's International School in Waterloo, the European Schools (Uccle and Woluwe) for EU staff, Lycee Francais Jean Monnet. See the Brussels schools hub for the full landscape.
Not sure which city fits your family?
Take the 5 minute school finder quiz, then run the cost calculator for both cities. You get shortlisted schools plus a side by side relocation budget in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
Amsterdam fees in 2026: The subsidised DIS route at AICS and De Nieuwe Internationale School runs EUR 5,500 to EUR 9,500 per year, while ISA, BSA and Optimist sit at EUR 16,000 to 28,500. Capital levies of EUR 2,000 to 5,000 are common at the private end. See the fees explorer for distribution across year groups.
Brussels fees in 2026: ISB runs EUR 22,590 to EUR 49,714 by year group, BSB EUR 22,000 to 33,000, and St John's EUR 19,000 to 28,000. European Schools are heavily subsidised for EU staff, with parental contribution only. Amsterdam runs roughly 20 to 30 percent more expensive than Brussels on housing and eating out, per Numbeo's May 2026 indices. Corporate-funded families rarely feel the difference; self-funded families absolutely do, especially through the IB Diploma years.
Curriculum availability
Amsterdam offers IB, Dutch International (DIS), British, French. Brussels offers European Schools, IB, British, French. The IB Diploma remains the safest portable credential in either city for university entry to the US, UK, Canada, Australia and continental Europe. See the IB hub for cross-city analysis.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Amsterdam families cluster in Old South (Oud-Zuid) for the British School and a leafy classical feel, Amstelveen for AICS Primary and ISA, Buitenveldert and Apollobuurt for a family-first vibe with bike access, the Jordaan for central canal-side living. A three-bedroom apartment in Oud-Zuid runs EUR 3,200 to EUR 5,500 per month and Amstelveen family homes EUR 2,500 to EUR 4,500.
In Brussels families pick Uccle for ISB and a leafy embassy belt, Tervuren and Sterrebeek for BSB families, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre for European School I, Waterloo for St John's, Ixelles and Etterbeek for younger international staff. A four-bedroom house in Tervuren or Uccle runs EUR 2,800 to EUR 5,500 per month, with central Ixelles apartments at EUR 1,800 to EUR 3,200.
Lifestyle and climate
Amsterdam climate: Temperate maritime: 2 to 7 degrees in winter, 18 to 24 in summer. Cool wet autumns and famously cycle-friendly streets. Bike-first daily life from age 4, exceptional healthcare, English spoken almost everywhere, easy weekend hops to Paris, London and Berlin by train.
Brussels climate: Temperate oceanic: 0 to 7 degrees in winter, 16 to 23 in summer, frequent grey rain especially November to March. Genuinely multilingual, walkable historic centre, Sonian Forest for weekends, easy train links to Paris (1h22), Amsterdam (1h53) and London (2h).
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Amsterdam if you want the bike-first daily life, the subsidised DIS route at EUR 5,500 a year and the 30 percent expat tax ruling that boosts net pay during your first five years.
Choose Brussels if you qualify for a European School place (EU staff and many NATO and international institution families do), if French or Dutch bilingual matters for your children, or if you simply want a cheaper four-bedroom house in a leafy suburb 20 minutes from a UNESCO old town. Most families we work with model both options through the cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amsterdam or Brussels cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Amsterdam runs roughly 20 to 30 percent more expensive than Brussels on housing and eating out, per Numbeo's May 2026 indices. On schools, Amsterdam sits at EUR 5,500 to 28,500 depending on DIS or private and Brussels at EUR 8,000 to 49,700. The right comparison depends on whether your package is corporate-funded or self-funded.
Which city has stronger international schools?
Amsterdam flagships include International School of Amsterdam (ISA. Brussels flagships include International School of Brussels (ISB). Both cities deliver strong IB Diploma pathways; choice between them turns more on curriculum mix and neighbourhood logistics than on quality at the top end.
Is the family visa easier in Amsterdam or Brussels?
Amsterdam typically uses the Highly Skilled Migrant permit with 30 percent ruling and family reunification pathway, with relocation in 10 to 14 weeks. Brussels uses the Single Permit, EU Blue Card, EU institutions schemes pathway, in 8 to 12 weeks. Both are well-trodden routes for relocating families.
How does the climate compare for families?
Amsterdam: Temperate maritime: 2 to 7 degrees in winter, 18 to 24 in summer. Cool wet autumns and famously cycle-friendly streets. Brussels: Temperate oceanic: 0 to 7 degrees in winter, 16 to 23 in summer, frequent grey rain especially November to March. The climate difference is one of the most underestimated factors in long-stay family decisions.
Where do most expat families live in each city?
In Amsterdam families cluster in Old South (Oud-Zuid) for the British School and a leafy classical feel and other expat-heavy districts. In Brussels the picks are Uccle for ISB and a leafy embassy belt and similar school-proximity neighbourhoods.
