At a glance
| Factor | Amsterdam | Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | EUR 6,500 (DUO) to EUR 28,000 | KRW 28M to 36M (USD 21,000 to 27,000) |
| Dominant curricula | IB, British, American | American, IB, British |
| Cost of living vs Amsterdam (Expatistan, May 2026) | Baseline | About 47 percent cheaper |
| Family visa | Highly Skilled Migrant, EU Blue Card or ICT | F-2 long-term resident, E-7 specialist, D-8 business |
| Expat share of population | About 25 percent of metro | About 3 percent of metro |
| Typical relocation timeline | 12 to 16 weeks | 10 to 14 weeks |
Schools landscape side by side
Amsterdam has around 20 international schools. The established names 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 a year. See our Amsterdam schools hub.
Seoul has about 15 international schools serving expat families, plus several elite Korean private schools. The flagships are Seoul Foreign School (SFS, founded 1912 in Yongsan), Seoul International School (SIS) in Seongnam, Dwight School Seoul, Chadwick International in Songdo (Incheon), Dulwich College Seoul, Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS) and Korea International School (KIS). Korean nationals are restricted from attending international schools unless they have spent at least three years abroad or hold a foreign passport. See the Seoul 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, capped through primary and lower secondary. Fully private schools, including ISA and BSA, charge EUR 16,000 to EUR 28,000 per year, rising to EUR 32,000 at IB Diploma. Plan for a 4 to 6 percent annual uplift. Use the cost calculator to compare both routes.
Seoul international school tuition runs KRW 28 million to KRW 36 million per year, roughly USD 21,000 to USD 27,000 at the May 2026 exchange rate. First-year costs at Chadwick can push to KRW 60 million once one-off capital fees, registration, uniforms and bus are added. Most expat families relocate on a package that covers school fees in full, which makes the headline less painful than it looks. See our Seoul fees guide.
Curriculum availability
Amsterdam is heavy IB with strong British provision at BSA and American provision at Optimist and Amity. Seoul tilts American at SFS, SIS and KIS, while Dwight and Chadwick lead the IB route and Dulwich College Seoul leads British provision. Both cities deliver English-medium continuity from age 3 to 18. For deeper coverage see the IB hub and American curriculum hub.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Amsterdam expat family heartlands are Amstelveen (home to ISA), Buitenveldert, the Zuid district, Diemen and Almere for families needing more space. Three-bedroom apartments run EUR 2,800 to EUR 4,500 per month. School runs are typically done by bike.
In Seoul expat families cluster in Yongsan and Itaewon (near SFS and Dulwich), Hannam-dong (the prestigious diplomatic neighbourhood near UN Village), Gangnam (Apgujeong and Cheongdam), Seongbuk-dong and Pangyo for tech-sector families targeting KIS. Chadwick families typically live in Songdo, a planned international city in Incheon. A three-bedroom apartment in Hannam-dong runs KRW 5 million to KRW 9 million per month, a Gangnam villa KRW 6 million to KRW 12 million.
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. Seoul has a continental climate with humid summers around 28 to 32 degrees, cold dry winters between minus 8 and 5, and a city built around the world's deepest, fastest metro. K-pop, Korean barbecue, hiking in Bukhansan and shopping in Myeong-dong define the family rhythm. Safety, healthcare and public transport rank world-class in both cities.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Amsterdam if you value European mobility, cycling-led family life, DUO-subsidised schools and the option to live without a car. It suits families on a Dutch HSM or EU Blue Card route with a 30 percent ruling that softens the headline tax rate.
Choose Seoul if your career sits in tech, semiconductors, beauty or entertainment, you want a serious Asian posting and you have an employer package that covers schools. Cost of living is roughly half of Amsterdam, schools are world-class but visa rules are tighter. Run both through the cost calculator for a net-cash comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amsterdam or Seoul cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Seoul is meaningfully cheaper overall, around 47 percent cheaper than Amsterdam on Expatistan in May 2026. School fees are similar in raw USD terms, but housing, transport, groceries and eating out are all dramatically less expensive in Seoul. Amsterdam wins on DUO-subsidised tuition for families who do not have employer-paid schools.
Which city has stronger international schools?
Both bench at world class. Seoul Foreign School, Seoul International School, Chadwick and Dwight Seoul are among the most established in Asia, with strong Ivy League and UK university placement. ISA Amsterdam holds equivalent IB depth in Europe. Choice usually comes down to curriculum and budget, not headline quality.
Can Korean citizens attend Seoul international schools?
Generally no, unless the child holds a foreign passport or has spent at least three years living and studying abroad. This protects places for genuinely international families and is enforced at admissions.
Is the family visa easier in Amsterdam or Seoul?
Amsterdam is easier for European nationals via the EU Blue Card and ICT permit. Seoul typically requires employer sponsorship under the E-7 specialist route or D-8 corporate investor visa. The F-2 long-term resident route exists but is points-based and slow.
Where do most expat families live in each city?
In Amsterdam families pick Amstelveen, Buitenveldert, Zuid, Diemen and Almere. In Seoul families pick Yongsan/Itaewon, Hannam-dong, Gangnam (Apgujeong and Cheongdam), Pangyo for tech families, and Songdo for those targeting Chadwick.
