At a glance
| Factor | Berlin | Munich |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | EUR 12,000 to 25,000 at private internationals; JFK School free for eligible families | EUR 18,000 to 28,000 at BIS Munich and MIS, with capital fees of EUR 3,000 to 9,000 |
| Dominant curricula | IB, American, British, German bilingual (JFK School) | IB, IGCSE and A Level, German bilingual |
| Cost of living (Numbeo, May 2026) | Around 15 to 20 percent below Munich on rent and groceries | Most expensive German city, comparable with Hamburg and Frankfurt |
| Family visa | EU Blue Card, ICT permit, family reunification | EU Blue Card, ICT permit, Skilled Immigration Act routes |
| Expat share of population | Around 24 percent of Berlin metro | Around 30 percent of Munich metro |
| Typical relocation timeline | 10 to 16 weeks | 10 to 14 weeks |
Both cities run on a mix of private internationals, German bilingual state-funded options and a handful of British and American schools. Munich's market is mature and corporate-led; Berlin's is younger, more eclectic and growing.
Schools landscape side by side
Berlin's international anchors are Berlin Brandenburg International School (BBIS) in Kleinmachnow, Berlin International School in Wilmersdorf, the Berlin Metropolitan School in Mitte and the John F Kennedy School, a free German-American state bilingual school in Zehlendorf that is highly competitive to enter. SIS Swiss International School Berlin and Phorms Schule complete the private end. The market is younger than Munich's but expanding rapidly. See the Berlin schools hub.
Munich is anchored by two heritage names: Bavarian International School (BIS) in Haimhausen and Munich International School (MIS) in Starnberg, both running the full IB continuum from PYP to Diploma. ISM (Internationale Schule Munchen) in Bogenhausen and the Bilingual European School round out the choice. Most families on corporate packages cluster around BIS and MIS, and waiting lists at the early years end are persistent. 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
Berlin's private international fees sit in a comfortable middle band by European standards. Berlin International School runs EUR 17,000 to 22,000, BBIS EUR 18,000 to 25,000, and Berlin Metropolitan EUR 14,000 to 19,000. JFK School charges only nominal fees if your child wins a place at the bilingual stream, making it the single best value of any major European city. Add EUR 1,500 to 3,000 in registration and enrolment fees, and EUR 800 to 1,500 for transport. The fees explorer shows the full distribution.
Munich is pricier. BIS publishes EUR 16,340 to 22,090 across the year groups, with one-off application, registration and entrance fees totalling around EUR 12,000 to 14,000 spread over three years. MIS charges a EUR 9,421 entrance fee in year one and EUR 3,944 in years two and three, plus annual tuition between EUR 22,000 and 28,000. Add EUR 1,500 to 3,000 for transport. ISM and the bilingual schools come in lower at EUR 12,000 to 18,000 per year.
Curriculum availability
Berlin runs every major curriculum. BBIS and Berlin Brandenburg offer IB Diploma; Berlin International School runs IB; Berlin Metropolitan offers the IB Diploma alongside Cambridge IGCSE. The John F Kennedy School offers a unique American High School Diploma plus German Abitur dual track for bilingual graduates. See the IB hub for comparison data.
Munich is IB-heavy at the top. BIS runs PYP through IB Diploma; MIS runs PYP through Diploma plus IB Career-related Programme. ISM offers IB Diploma and IGCSE. German bilingual schools push the Abitur with English-language tracks. The IB Diploma remains the safest portable credential for families likely to move again.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Berlin international families pick Zehlendorf and Dahlem for the John F Kennedy School and BBIS commute, Charlottenburg and Wilmersdorf for Berlin International School and a classic west-Berlin feel, Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg for Berlin Metropolitan and city life, and Potsdam for families relocating to BBIS proper. A three-bedroom apartment in Charlottenburg runs EUR 2,200 to EUR 3,800 per month.
In Munich families cluster in Bogenhausen for ISM and easy commute east, Grunwald and Solln in the south for MIS, Starnberg lake area for MIS proper, and Schwabing for city life with English-medium primaries. A three-bedroom apartment in Bogenhausen runs EUR 3,200 to EUR 5,200 per month, well above Berlin equivalents.
Lifestyle and climate
Berlin offers a famously liberal cultural scene, four temperate seasons with cold winters down to minus 5 and summers up to 26, and a strong child-friendly cycling and public transport network. Munich runs more conservative and prosperous, with the Alps an hour south for ski weekends, the Englischer Garten for daily family life, and Oktoberfest as a cultural anchor. Public safety, healthcare and air quality are excellent in both cities; Munich is wealthier and quieter, Berlin is busier and more multicultural.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Berlin if you want a cheaper European base with a younger international scene, broader cultural variety and the chance of a free JFK School place for your child. Berlin's tech and biotech sectors are absorbing relocating families faster than Munich, and the city's bicycle and metro networks make daily life with children straightforward.
Choose Munich if you are on a corporate package that covers tuition, want world-class IB schooling at BIS or MIS, and value alpine weekends and quieter family life. Munich is wealthier, more orderly and offers the easiest German city in which to live without speaking German.
Run both cities through the cost calculator before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
Is Berlin or Munich cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Berlin is cheaper across the board. Numbeo's May 2026 comparison puts Munich roughly 15 to 20 percent above Berlin on rent and groceries. Munich's premium IB schools also charge EUR 4,000 to 6,000 more per year than Berlin equivalents. JFK School in Berlin remains the single best free option in either city.
Which city has stronger international schools?
Munich has deeper heritage at BIS and MIS, both of which have been running IB since the 1990s. Berlin offers more breadth and the unique JFK School bilingual route. IB Diploma quality at the top is comparable; Munich is more corporate-led, Berlin is more eclectic.
Is the family visa easier in Berlin or Munich?
Both cities use the same federal visa system: EU Blue Card, ICT permit and Skilled Immigration Act routes. Processing times are slightly faster in Munich, typically 10 to 14 weeks versus 10 to 16 in Berlin, mainly because Berlin's foreigner office has higher caseload.
How does the climate compare for families?
Berlin runs a continental climate, cold winters down to minus 5 and summers up to 26. Munich is similar but with colder winters down to minus 8 and hotter summers up to 28, plus easier access to alpine snow. Both cities have strong outdoor cultures.
Where do most expat families live in each city?
In Berlin: Zehlendorf and Dahlem for JFK School and BBIS, Charlottenburg and Wilmersdorf for Berlin International School, Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg for city life. In Munich: Bogenhausen for ISM, Grunwald and Solln for MIS commute, Starnberg lake area for MIS proper, Schwabing for city life.
