At a glance
| Factor | Amsterdam | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | EUR 6,500 (DUO) to EUR 28,000 | EUR 13,500 to EUR 27,000 |
| Dominant curricula | IB, British, American | British, IB, Cambridge, Portuguese bilingual |
| Cost of living vs Amsterdam (Expatistan, May 2026) | Baseline | About 33 percent cheaper |
| Family visa | Highly Skilled Migrant, EU Blue Card or ICT | D7, Digital Nomad D8 or Golden Visa |
| Expat share of population | About 25 percent of metro | About 10 percent of metro |
| Typical relocation timeline | 12 to 16 weeks | 12 to 18 weeks |
Schools landscape side by side
Amsterdam has around 20 international schools. The flagships are the International School of Amsterdam (ISA) in Amstelveen, Amsterdam International Community School (AICS), the British School of Amsterdam (BSA) and Optimist International School. DUO-funded Dutch International Schools at primary and lower secondary are state-subsidised, with parental contributions of EUR 5,500 to EUR 9,500 per year. See our Amsterdam schools hub.
Lisbon has around 25 international schools serving expat families. The established names are St Julian's School in Carcavelos (founded 1932), Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL), TASIS Portugal in Sintra, British School of Lisbon (BSL), International Sharing School Taguspark, Park International, Redbridge and The Lisboan. British, IB and Cambridge curricula dominate. See the Lisbon schools hub.
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 has two pricing tracks. DUO-subsidised Dutch International Schools charge EUR 5,500 to EUR 9,500 per year. Fully private schools, including ISA and BSA, charge EUR 16,000 to EUR 28,000, rising to EUR 32,000 at IB Diploma. Use the cost calculator to compare both routes.
Lisbon is among the most affordable European capitals for international schools. Bilingual Portuguese-English schools run EUR 7,500 to EUR 14,000 per year. Full international schools, including St Julian's, CAISL and TASIS, run EUR 11,500 to EUR 19,000 at primary and EUR 18,000 to EUR 27,000 at IB Diploma or A Level. First-year all-in spend for a mid-tier family of two children typically falls between EUR 42,000 and EUR 62,000. Equivalent-tier London or Geneva schools cost 25 to 45 percent more. See our Lisbon fees guide.
Curriculum availability
Both cities are IB-friendly with strong British provision. Amsterdam concentrates IB Diploma seats at ISA, AICS and BSA. Lisbon's British and IB depth sits at St Julian's, CAISL and TASIS. Lisbon adds bilingual Portuguese-English schools with Cambridge or IB PYP at a lower price tier. For deeper coverage see the IB hub and British curriculum hub.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Amsterdam expat family heartlands are Amstelveen, Buitenveldert, the Zuid district, Diemen and Almere for families needing more space. A three-bedroom apartment in Amstelveen or Zuid runs EUR 2,800 to EUR 4,500 per month, with houses EUR 4,500 to EUR 7,500.
In Lisbon international school families cluster along the Cascais coastal line: Cascais itself, Estoril, Carcavelos (home to St Julian's), Sintra (TASIS) and Birre. Within central Lisbon, Lapa, Restelo and Belem are family-friendly. A four-bedroom villa in Cascais or Birre runs EUR 3,500 to EUR 6,500 per month; apartments in Lapa or Belem EUR 2,500 to EUR 4,200.
Lifestyle and climate
Amsterdam has four mild seasons. Summers peak around 22 degrees, winters sit between 2 and 8 degrees and damp, and the city runs on bicycles, canals and trains. Lisbon enjoys 290 sunny days a year, summers around 25 to 30 degrees and mild winters at 10 to 15 degrees, with the Atlantic just minutes from most family neighbourhoods. Safety, walkability and family-friendly culture rank world-class in both. Lisbon wins on climate; Amsterdam wins on cycling infrastructure and transit density.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Amsterdam if you want a compact, walkable family city, DUO-subsidised schooling and easy access to the rest of Northern Europe by train. It also suits families on a 30 percent ruling that softens the headline Dutch tax rate.
Choose Lisbon if you want low school fees, year-round sunshine and a Mediterranean family rhythm. Portugal's D7 and D8 visas suit remote workers, and the Cascais line concentrates schools and homes in a 15-minute radius. Run both through the cost calculator to see net household savings.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amsterdam or Lisbon cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Lisbon, by a substantial margin. Expatistan shows Lisbon about 33 percent cheaper than Amsterdam overall, and school fees at the mid tier run EUR 12,000 to EUR 18,000 versus Amsterdam's EUR 16,000 to EUR 28,000 (excluding DUO-subsidised routes).
Which city has stronger international schools?
Amsterdam has the deeper IB bench at ISA and AICS. Lisbon counters with St Julian's, CAISL and TASIS, all of which produce strong IB and A Level results. Choice usually comes down to curriculum continuity and budget.
Is the family visa easier in Amsterdam or Lisbon?
Lisbon for self-employed, remote or passive-income families. Portugal's D7 and Digital Nomad D8 visas welcome those routes, and the Highly Qualified Activity visa fits employed professionals. Amsterdam is easier for employer-sponsored EU Blue Card or HSM routes.
Which city has better weather for families?
Lisbon, by a wide margin. 290 sunny days a year, mild winters and easy beach access. Amsterdam has cooler, wetter winters and shorter summers.
Where do most expat families live in each city?
In Amsterdam families pick Amstelveen, Buitenveldert, Zuid, Diemen and Almere. In Lisbon families pick the Cascais line (Cascais, Estoril, Carcavelos, Birre) plus Lapa, Restelo and Belem in central Lisbon.
