At a glance
| Factor | Amsterdam | Munich |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | EUR 6,500 (DUO) to EUR 28,000 | EUR 15,000 to EUR 28,000 |
| Dominant curricula | IB, British, American | IB, British, German bilingual |
| Cost of living vs Munich (Numbeo, May 2026) | About 16 percent more expensive | Baseline |
| Family visa | Highly Skilled Migrant, EU Blue Card or ICT | EU Blue Card, Chancenkarte or ICT |
| Expat share of population | About 25 percent of metro | About 28 percent of city |
| Typical relocation timeline | 12 to 16 weeks | 10 to 14 weeks |
Schools landscape side by side
Amsterdam has around 20 international schools serving expat families. The flagships are the International School of Amsterdam (ISA) in Amstelveen, the Amsterdam International Community School (AICS) on multiple campuses, the British School of Amsterdam (BSA) and Optimist International School. DUO-funded Dutch International Schools at primary and lower secondary keep parental contribution between EUR 5,500 and EUR 9,500. See our Amsterdam schools hub for the city pillar.
Munich has around 18 international schools, smaller in number than Amsterdam or Berlin but uniformly high in quality. The flagships are Bavarian International School (BIS) with campuses in Haimhausen and Munich City, Munich International School (MIS) in Starnberg, the European School Munich and the Phorms Bilingual School. The bilingual German-English market in Munich is particularly strong. See the Munich 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 splits cleanly. DUO-subsidised Dutch International Schools at primary and lower secondary 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, with IB Diploma reaching EUR 32,000. Expect a 4 to 6 percent annual fee uplift through 2028.
Munich private school tuition runs EUR 16,340 to EUR 22,090 at BIS, with MIS at the upper end around EUR 25,000. The European School Munich is near-free for EU staff. Add EUR 2,000 to EUR 8,000 in one-off registration plus EUR 1,500 to EUR 3,000 per year for school transport. Total annual spend for a top private school is typically 10 to 20 percent below Amsterdam private schools. Use the cost calculator to model both routes side by side.
Curriculum availability
Both cities are IB-heavy with strong British and American depth. Munich offers deeper German-English bilingual provision, including the European School and Phorms. Amsterdam concentrates IB Diploma at ISA and AICS, with strong continuity from PYP upward. See the IB hub and the British curriculum hub for curriculum-specific guidance.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Amsterdam expat heartlands are Amstelveen (home to ISA), Buitenveldert, Zuid, Diemen and Almere. A three-bedroom apartment in Amstelveen or Zuid runs EUR 2,800 to EUR 4,500 per month, with townhouses EUR 4,500 to EUR 7,500. School runs happen by bike.
In Munich families pick Bogenhausen, Harlaching, Solln, Grunwald and Starnberg (near MIS), plus Haimhausen for BIS. A three-bedroom apartment in Bogenhausen or Harlaching runs EUR 2,500 to EUR 3,800 per month and detached houses in Grunwald or Starnberg EUR 4,500 to EUR 8,000. Munich housing has tightened sharply since 2024 but still sits 25 to 30 percent below Amsterdam at the equivalent size.
Lifestyle and climate
Amsterdam has four mild seasons, summers around 22 degrees and damp winters. The city runs on bicycles, canals and trains. Munich has continental seasons, summers around 24 to 28 degrees and proper winters with regular snow. The city offers the Alps for weekend skiing within 90 minutes, beer-garden culture, very low crime and stronger family-of-four space at the same housing budget. Both cities offer excellent public healthcare and safe streets.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Amsterdam if you want compact bike-led family life, DUO-subsidised schooling that can drop tuition below EUR 10,000 per child, and quick access to the rest of Northern Europe by train. The 30 percent ruling makes Amsterdam comfortable for high-earning expats who qualify.
Choose Munich if you want lower housing costs, Alpine outdoors and stronger bilingual German-English options, and you can pay private fees that match Amsterdam at the top tier but with more space. Run both through the cost calculator to compare net household spend.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amsterdam or Munich cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Munich is cheaper across the board. Numbeo and Expatistan both show Amsterdam around 16 percent more expensive overall in 2026, with rent 27 percent higher. International school fees are comparable at the top tier, but Amsterdam's DUO route can drop tuition below EUR 10,000 per child. Most families spend 10 to 18 percent less in Munich on total household budget.
Are there subsidised or free international school routes in either city?
Yes, in both. Amsterdam's DUO-funded Dutch International Schools charge a parental contribution of EUR 5,500 to EUR 9,500 per year at primary and lower secondary. Munich's European School is essentially free for EU institution staff under Category I. Outside those routes, both cities are fully private.
Is the family visa easier in Amsterdam or Munich?
Munich is broadly easier in 2026 thanks to EU Blue Card threshold reform and the Chancenkarte points-based route. Amsterdam uses the Highly Skilled Migrant scheme, EU Blue Card or Intra-Corporate Transferee permit, with strict income thresholds and an IND application that takes 4 to 8 weeks. Munich processing is comparable at 6 to 10 weeks but with fewer income gates.
Does my child need to learn Dutch or German?
Useful but not essential. Most expat families work entirely in English through international schools. Dutch and German state schools welcome expat children and many families try state school first; older children entering after primary often pick a fully private international school for English-medium continuity.
Where do most expat families live in each city?
In Amsterdam families pick Amstelveen (near ISA), Buitenveldert, Zuid, Diemen and Almere. In Munich the heartlands are Bogenhausen, Harlaching, Solln, Grunwald, Starnberg and Haimhausen near BIS.
