At a glance
| Factor | Amsterdam | New Delhi |
|---|---|---|
| Premium international school fees (secondary) | EUR 20,000 to EUR 30,000 (USD 21,800 to USD 32,700) at fully private schools | INR 700,000 to INR 1,200,000 (USD 8,400 to USD 14,400) at AES and TBS |
| Mid-tier annual fees | EUR 5,500 to EUR 6,500 at subsidised Dutch International Schools (DIS) | INR 350,000 to INR 700,000 |
| Dominant curricula | IB, DIS (Dutch International), British, French | American Diploma (AES), IB, IGCSE, A Level |
| Family visa route | Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM) permit with attractive 30 percent ruling for qualifying expats, plus family reunification typically processed in four to eight weeks. | Employment Visa for the lead earner, X-Misc visa for spouses and Student Visa for school-age children. |
| Personal income tax | Dutch income tax is progressive to 49.5 percent, but the 30 percent ruling shelters a portion of qualifying expat salary. | India taxes residents on worldwide income with rates up to about 39 percent including surcharge and cess. |
| Climate | Temperate maritime, cool wet winters around 2 to 7 degrees and pleasant summers around 18 to 24. | Hot summers up to 45 degrees, cool winters around 7 to 18, July to September monsoon, and a heavy autumn-winter pollution season (PM2. |
Amsterdam pairs IB depth with dutch income tax is progressive to 49.5 percent, but the 30 percent ruling shelters a portion of qualifying expat salary. New Delhi matches it with American Diploma (AES) depth and india taxes residents on worldwide income with rates up to about 39 percent including surcharge and cess. Both cities are credible postings for families on global rotation; the right answer turns on curriculum continuity, headline cost and which lifestyle suits the children.
Schools landscape side by side
Amsterdam's flagships are International School of Amsterdam (ISA) in Amstelveen, Amsterdam International Community School (AICS), British School of Amsterdam and Lycee Vincent van Gogh. DIS schools require at least one parent to be on a temporary international assignment. ISA, BSA and Lycee Vincent van Gogh are open to all foreign families. See the Amsterdam schools hub for the full list.
New Delhi's flagships are American Embassy School (AES) in Chanakyapuri, The British School (TBS), Pathways World School (Aravali campus on the Gurugram border), Modern School Vasant Vihar and Lancers International. AES gives priority to US passport holders and diplomatic families but admits the wider expat community subject to capacity. TBS and Pathways are open to all foreign nationals. See the New Delhi 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 premium IB and British IGCSE plus A Level fees at the flagships sit at EUR 20,000 to EUR 30,000 (USD 21,800 to USD 32,700) at fully private schools. Mid-tier and newer entrants run EUR 5,500 to EUR 6,500 at subsidised Dutch International Schools (DIS). Bus and uniform typically add 5 to 8 percent on top. See the fees explorer for distribution.
New Delhi premium fees at the flagships sit at INR 700,000 to INR 1,200,000 (USD 8,400 to USD 14,400) at AES and TBS, with mid-tier options at INR 350,000 to INR 700,000. Capital levies, registration deposits and enrolment fees are common at the premium end; budget at least one extra month of tuition in year one for those line items.
Curriculum availability
Both cities deliver the IB Diploma at flagship level. Amsterdam tilts toward IB and DIS (Dutch International) provision. New Delhi tilts toward American Diploma (AES) and IB. The IB Diploma remains the safest portable credential for families on rotation; see the IB hub for cross-city analysis. British IGCSE plus A Level is widely available in both. American AP coverage is stronger in one of the two cities (see schools landscape above).
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Amsterdam families cluster in Amstelveen for ISA and AICS Primary, Oud-Zuid (Old South) for the British School, Buitenveldert and the Apollobuurt. A three-bedroom apartment in Oud-Zuid or Amstelveen runs EUR 3,200 to EUR 5,500 per month. School bus coverage, daily commute and weekend activity drive the choice as much as the housing itself.
In New Delhi families pick Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave, Vasant Vihar, Shanti Niketan, Anand Niketan and the upmarket Aravali corridor in Gurugram. A four-bedroom house in Vasant Vihar or Shanti Niketan runs INR 350,000 to INR 700,000 per month. Most relocation packages cover housing for the first three to twelve months, after which families settle into the neighbourhood closest to their child's primary school.
Lifestyle and climate
Amsterdam climate: Temperate maritime, cool wet winters around 2 to 7 degrees and pleasant summers around 18 to 24. Cycling is the default mode from age 4. New Delhi climate: Hot summers up to 45 degrees, cool winters around 7 to 18, July to September monsoon, and a heavy autumn-winter pollution season (PM2.5 spikes from October to February). Beyond weather, family life patterns diverge: Amsterdam runs on its own urban rhythm of school, sport and weekend escapes, while New Delhi reaches into a different cultural and travel hinterland. Modelling a year in each through the cost calculator is the cleanest way to compare.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Amsterdam if IB continuity matters, your child is settled in that pathway, and the dutch income tax is progressive to 49.5 percent, but the 30 percent ruling shelters a portion of qualifying expat salary. suits your earning bracket. Families on senior corporate packages typically lean here when housing or schooling allowances are generous.
Choose New Delhi if American Diploma (AES) provision is what your child needs, the lifestyle fits, and the visa route is well matched to your sector. Cross-check against the all comparisons page and the school finder quiz to anchor the decision.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amsterdam or New Delhi cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Amsterdam premium tuition runs EUR 20,000 to EUR 30,000 (USD 21,800 to USD 32,700) at fully private schools, with mid-tier options at EUR 5,500 to EUR 6,500 at subsidised Dutch International Schools (DIS). New Delhi sits at INR 700,000 to INR 1,200,000 (USD 8,400 to USD 14,400) at AES and TBS for premium schools and INR 350,000 to INR 700,000 for mid-tier. On top of tuition, factor in housing differences and tax treatment, which often swing the total package by more than the headline fee gap.
Which city has stronger international schools?
Amsterdam's flagships are International School of Amsterdam (ISA) in Amstelveen and a clutch of named names alongside. New Delhi brings American Embassy School (AES) in Chanakyapuri and a comparable bench. Quality at the very top is broadly comparable; the right pick usually depends on the curriculum your child is already in.
Is the family visa easier in Amsterdam or New Delhi?
Amsterdam: Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM) permit with attractive 30 percent ruling for qualifying expats, plus family reunification typically processed in four to eight weeks. New Delhi: Employment Visa for the lead earner, X-Misc visa for spouses and Student Visa for school-age children. Validity is tied to the contract.
How does the climate compare for families?
Amsterdam: Temperate maritime, cool wet winters around 2 to 7 degrees and pleasant summers around 18 to 24. Cycling is the default mode from age 4. New Delhi: Hot summers up to 45 degrees, cool winters around 7 to 18, July to September monsoon, and a heavy autumn-winter pollution season (PM2.5 spikes from October to February).
Where do most expat families live in each city?
In Amsterdam families cluster in Amstelveen for ISA and AICS Primary, Oud-Zuid (Old South) for the British School, Buitenveldert and the Apollobuurt. In New Delhi families pick Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave, Vasant Vihar, Shanti Niketan, Anand Niketan and the upmarket Aravali corridor in Gurugram.
