At a glance
| Factor | Amsterdam | Riyadh |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | EUR 5,500 at DIS schools; EUR 16,000 to 28,500 at fully private internationals | SAR 50,000 to 150,000 (USD 13,300 to 40,000) for premium IB, British or American |
| Dominant curricula | IB, Dutch International (DIS), British, French | American, IB, British, Saudi National (KSA) |
| 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 | Iqama employment residency with family dependants, Premium Residency for senior hires |
| Expat share of population | Around 18 percent of Amsterdam metro is internationally born | About 38 percent of Riyadh's residents are foreign nationals |
| Typical relocation timeline | 10 to 14 weeks | 4 to 8 weeks |
Amsterdam and Riyadh 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.
Riyadh's market is led by King Faisal School in the Diplomatic Quarter, British International School Riyadh (BISR), American International School Riyadh (AIS-R), Multinational School Riyadh, Riyadh Schools. See the Riyadh 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.
Riyadh fees in 2026: King Faisal School runs SAR 95,000 to 150,000 by year group, AIS-R and BISR sit at SAR 90,000 to 130,000, and mid-tier IB and Cambridge options at SAR 50,000 to 80,000. A capital fee of SAR 10,000 to 20,000 is common in year one. Amsterdam runs roughly 30 to 45 percent more expensive than Riyadh on housing and eating out, though Riyadh's tax-free pay typically more than closes the gap. 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. Riyadh offers American, IB, British, Saudi National (KSA). 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 Riyadh families pick The Diplomatic Quarter (DQ) for embassy-belt families and King Faisal School, Hittin and Al Yasmin for newer villa compounds, Al Olaya for high-rise apartment living, Al Nakheel for Saudi-international mix, the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) for younger executives. A four-bedroom compound villa in DQ or Hittin runs SAR 14,000 to SAR 28,000 per month, with central Olaya apartments at SAR 9,000 to SAR 16,000.
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.
Riyadh climate: Hot desert continental: 8 to 22 degrees in winter, 30 to 44 in summer, very dry year round. Tax-free pay, the new Diriyah cultural district, weekend trips to AlUla and the Red Sea, Boulevard City entertainment, fast-growing concert and sport scene under Vision 2030.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Amsterdam if you value temperate climate, English-speaking civic life, the 30 percent ruling and access to subsidised DIS schools at EUR 5,500 per year.
Choose Riyadh if your employer offers a senior Vision 2030 package; tax-free pay, the King Faisal and AIS-R premium and rapid five-year savings are the draw. Heat and air quality are the trade-offs. Most families we work with model both options through the cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amsterdam or Riyadh cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Amsterdam runs roughly 30 to 45 percent more expensive than Riyadh on housing and eating out, though Riyadh's tax-free pay typically more than closes the gap. On schools, Amsterdam sits at EUR 5,500 to 28,500 depending on DIS or private and Riyadh at SAR 50,000 to 150,000 (USD 13,300 to 40,000). 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. Riyadh flagships include King Faisal School in the Diplomatic Quarter. 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 Riyadh?
Amsterdam typically uses the Highly Skilled Migrant permit with 30 percent ruling and family reunification pathway, with relocation in 10 to 14 weeks. Riyadh uses the Iqama employment residency with family dependants, Premium Residency for senior hires pathway, in 4 to 8 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. Riyadh: Hot desert continental: 8 to 22 degrees in winter, 30 to 44 in summer, very dry year round. 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 Riyadh the picks are The Diplomatic Quarter (DQ) for embassy-belt families and King Faisal School and similar school-proximity neighbourhoods.
