At a glance
| Factor | Amsterdam | Jakarta |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | EUR 6,500 to 32,000 (DIS vs private) | IDR 200M to 500M (USD 12,500 to 31,000) |
| Dominant curricula | IB, British, American, Dutch International | IB, American, British, Australian |
| Cost of living vs Amsterdam (Numbeo, 2026) | Baseline | About 45 percent lower |
| Family visa | Highly skilled migrant (30% ruling) plus family reunification | KITAS work permit plus dependant KITAS |
| Expat share of population | About 22 percent | About 1.5 percent |
| Typical relocation timeline | 10 to 14 weeks | 10 to 14 weeks |
Amsterdam is unusual in Europe because it has both fully private international schools and a network of Dutch International Schools (DIS) that are partly funded by the state and charge a fraction of the private rate. Jakarta has fewer schools by count but two genuine global Tier 1 names, the Jakarta Intercultural School and the British School Jakarta, supported by a healthy mid-tier.
Schools landscape side by side
Amsterdam's anchor private schools are the International School of Amsterdam (ISA) in Amstelveen, Amsterdam International Community School (AICS) and the British School of Amsterdam. The Dutch International Schools, AICS branches and partner schools, deliver IB Primary Years and Middle Years programmes for around EUR 5,500 to 6,500 per year. ISA is the only full IB continuum school in the city and remains the prestige choice for diplomatic and senior corporate families. AICS handles much of the volume in the multinational community.
Jakarta has a smaller market but heavy hitters. The Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) is a 70-year veteran with a deep US-curriculum and IB Diploma offering, ranked among Asia's strongest international schools. British School Jakarta (BSJ) is its British equivalent and serves the largest UK and Commonwealth expat community in Southeast Asia. ACS Jakarta, Sekolah Pelita Harapan (SPH) and the Australian Independent School round out the choice. Both JIS and BSJ run multi-year waitlists for Years 1, 6 and 11, so apply at the same time as your assignment letter.
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 is split. The Dutch International Schools are the bargain of Western Europe at EUR 5,500 to 6,500 per year, including IB Primary Years. Private schools, ISA, AICS private branch and British School Amsterdam, run EUR 18,000 to 32,000 across age groups, with the IB Diploma at the top. Add capital fees of EUR 1,000 to 5,000 in year one and bus and lunch charges around EUR 2,500 to 4,500. The cost calculator handles both DIS and private routes.
Jakarta has a wide fee curve. Mid-tier schools run IDR 80M to 180M for primary, IDR 180M to 280M for secondary. Premium schools JIS and BSJ charge IDR 380M to 500M (roughly USD 24,000 to USD 31,000) for IB Diploma years, with one-off capital and development fees of IDR 80M to 150M in the first year. Most corporate packages cover full tuition for two children at premium tier.
Curriculum availability
Amsterdam is IB-heavy across both private and DIS routes. ISA offers full IB continuum from PYP to Diploma. AICS offers IB Middle Years and IB Diploma. British School Amsterdam follows IGCSE plus A Level. The DIS network provides PYP and MYP at subsidised rates, which is a unique value proposition in Europe. Visit the IB hub for Diploma-specific guidance.
Jakarta covers IB, American AP and British IGCSE plus A Level. JIS offers an American high school diploma alongside IB Diploma, BSJ runs the full British curriculum, ACS follows the Singapore-influenced IB route. The IB Diploma is the safest portable option for families moving across Asia.
Neighbourhoods families pick
Amsterdam international school families cluster in Amstelveen for proximity to ISA, the Zuidas business district for AICS and easy commute, and Vondelpark, Oud-Zuid and the Pijp for central life. A three bedroom family flat in Oud-Zuid runs EUR 2,800 to 4,500 per month; family houses in Amstelveen run EUR 3,500 to 5,500. Housing supply is famously tight; secure schooling and housing in parallel.
Jakarta families cluster in Pondok Indah, Kemang, Cilandak and Pejaten Barat for proximity to JIS and BSJ, with newer corporate families in Sentul (north of central Jakarta) or Bumi Serpong Damai for ACS Jakarta. A four bedroom serviced villa in Pondok Indah runs IDR 60M to 100M per month; equivalent in Kemang is similar. School-bus networks span most expat neighbourhoods.
Lifestyle and climate
Amsterdam has a cool maritime climate with mild summers around 22 degrees Celsius and grey, wet winters. The city is built for children, with safe bike infrastructure, world-class parks and short train hops to Brussels, Paris and London. Jakarta is tropical, hot and humid year round around 28 to 33 degrees Celsius, with a wet season from November to March. Traffic is famous; many families plan school commutes carefully. Jakarta compensates with affordable domestic help, easy weekend travel to Bali, Singapore and Bangkok, and a thriving expat community at JIS and BSJ. Amsterdam ranks higher on safety and air quality; Jakarta wins on lifestyle range and disposable income.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Amsterdam if you want a safe, English-friendly European city with strong DIS subsidised schooling and excellent public transport. It suits families who value culture, biking, and EU-wide weekend access. The 30 percent ruling makes the tax base reasonable for highly skilled migrants.
Choose Jakarta if you want a generous corporate package, world-class JIS or BSJ schooling, and a Southeast Asian base for travel and career advancement. It suits families who can plan around heat and traffic, and value the strong expat community and very affordable household support.
Model both cities through the cost calculator. The five year all-in delta is usually USD 60,000 to 120,000 in Jakarta's favour at premium tier, especially when corporates cover school fees. Amsterdam wins on safety, walkability and university outcomes from DIS PYP roots.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amsterdam or Jakarta cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Jakarta is cheaper on housing and household costs, sometimes 40 to 50 percent below Amsterdam. School fees vary widely: Amsterdam's DIS schools are dramatically cheaper than Jakarta premium, while Jakarta's JIS or BSJ are similar to Amsterdam private at the top end.
Which city has better international schools?
Both have strong Tier 1 names. ISA in Amsterdam and JIS or BSJ in Jakarta produce comparable Diploma outcomes. Jakarta has the deeper US-curriculum bench; Amsterdam has the deeper budget-tier option with DIS.
Is the family visa easier in Amsterdam or Jakarta?
Both are similar in process complexity. Amsterdam runs through the highly skilled migrant scheme with the 30 percent ruling tax benefit; Jakarta runs through KITAS work permit with dependant KITAS. Amsterdam's English-language process is usually smoother for first-time movers.
How does the Dutch International School (DIS) route work?
DIS schools are partly funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education and charge EUR 5,500 to 6,500 per year for IB PYP and MYP. They are usually attached to a Dutch school and accept children with at least one parent on a temporary international assignment. Quality varies by partner school, but the route is exceptional value.
Where do most international school families live in each city?
Amsterdam families cluster in Amstelveen, the Zuidas, Oud-Zuid and Vondelpark. Jakarta families cluster in Pondok Indah, Kemang, Cilandak and Pejaten Barat, with newer corporate families in Sentul or BSD.
