At a glance
| Factor | Hong Kong | Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | HKD 180,000 to 312,000 (USD 23,000 to 40,000) | EUR 18,000 to 32,000 (USD 19,000 to 34,000) private; EUR 5,500 DIS |
| Dominant curricula | IB, British, ESF, American | IB, Dutch DIS, British |
| Cost of living vs Hong Kong (Numbeo, 2026) | Baseline | About 15 percent lower |
| Family visa | Dependant visa via employment | Family reunion via EU Blue Card / highly skilled migrant |
| Expat share of population | About 8 percent | About 35 percent |
| Typical relocation timeline | 8 to 12 weeks | 8 to 10 weeks |
Hong Kong offers a deep, expensive international school market with a famously tough debenture and waiting list game. Amsterdam offers a smaller, partly state subsidised market where Dutch International Schools cost a fraction of private alternatives. The two cities sit at opposite ends of the price spectrum for school families.
Schools landscape side by side
Hong Kong's international school market is mature and competitive. The schools dominating shortlists are Hong Kong International School, ESF schools (King George V, Island School, West Island School), Chinese International School, Harrow Hong Kong, Kellett, French International School and German Swiss International. Capacity is tight at HKIS, CIS and Harrow, with debentures or capital notes commonly required.
Amsterdam's market is smaller but well organised. The standouts are International School of Amsterdam, Amsterdam International Community School, British School of Amsterdam, the Optimist International School and a network of partly subsidised Dutch International Schools across the city. AICS and several DIS sites charge dramatically lower fees because they are partly Dutch state funded.
Fees and value for money
Hong Kong sits among the world's most expensive markets. Premium schools publish secondary fees between HKD 220,000 and HKD 312,000 (USD 28,000 to USD 40,000). Debentures or capital notes at HKIS, CIS and Harrow can range from HKD 500,000 to over HKD 5 million per family. Most premium schools charge an annual capital levy of HKD 20,000 to HKD 30,000 on top. See our Hong Kong fees guide for the all in load.
Amsterdam is structurally cheaper. Private international school tuition typically runs EUR 18,000 to EUR 32,000 per year, plus a one time capital fee of EUR 2,000 to EUR 5,000. Dutch International Schools (AICS, Amity, ELLIS) charge a subsidised fee of around EUR 5,500 to EUR 6,500 per year for full IB programmes, which is unique in Europe. Use the cost calculator to model the five year all in number per child.
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.
Curriculum availability
Both cities have strong IB Diploma provision. Hong Kong has a deeper British line via ESF, Harrow and Kellett, and a strong American line via HKIS. Amsterdam has fewer schools but excellent IB at ISA and AICS, plus a strong British option at BSA. If your assignment is uncertain or you may move again within five years, the IB Diploma is the safest portable credential in either city. See the IB hub and British curriculum hub.
If you may move on within five years, the IB Diploma in either city travels well. Hong Kong's debenture or capital note system is unusual and can lock significant capital, so factor that into the school choice. Amsterdam's DIS network is partly state funded and offers exceptional value for the IB programme.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Hong Kong, the catchment areas that matter most are The Peak and Mid-Levels for HKIS, CIS and ESF schools, Discovery Bay for the family commute, Pok Fu Lam and Repulse Bay for HKIS, and Tai Tam for Hong Kong International. A three bedroom flat in Mid-Levels runs HKD 60,000 to HKD 120,000 per month, with very little garden space.
In Amsterdam, expat families cluster in Amstelveen for AICS and BSA, the Zuidas area for ISA, plus Oud Zuid, Apollolaan and Buitenveldert. A four bedroom family house in Amstelveen rents for EUR 3,500 to EUR 6,000 per month, with parks, bike lanes and lakes within walking distance.
Lifestyle and climate
Hong Kong is hot and humid in summer and cool in winter, with strong typhoons every autumn. It offers some of the world's best hiking and a famously hectic but efficient pace. Amsterdam has mild summers and cool wet winters, a famously calm bike first lifestyle and exceptional public transport. Air quality is materially better in Amsterdam. Travel from Amsterdam reaches the rest of Europe within hours; Hong Kong opens Asia and Australasia.
Hong Kong weekends are built around junk boats, hiking trails and weekend flights across Asia. Amsterdam weekends lean into bike rides, canal cafes and quick weekend trips to Paris, Berlin or Brussels. The pace of life in Amsterdam is materially slower, which most families end up loving.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Hong Kong if you want a dense expat network, easy travel across Asia, and a deep school market for ambitious academic outcomes. It suits families with strong employer support who can absorb the fee and debenture load.
Choose Amsterdam if balance, bike commutes and lower fees matter more, or if the partly subsidised Dutch International School route fits your budget. It is the stronger city for families who plan to settle in Europe long term. Most families we work with model both cities in the cost calculator before committing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hong Kong or Amsterdam cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Amsterdam is cheaper, especially if you can secure a place at a Dutch International School where tuition runs around EUR 5,500 to EUR 6,500. Private international schools in Amsterdam are still 20 to 35 percent cheaper than equivalent Hong Kong schools, and housing is roughly half the Hong Kong price for similar space.
Which city has better international schools?
Hong Kong has the deeper market with HKIS, ESF, CIS, Harrow and Chinese International. Amsterdam has fewer but strong schools, particularly ISA and AICS. Best fit depends on curriculum, budget and year group, not headline rankings.
Is the family visa easier in Hong Kong or Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is generally easier for skilled workers via the highly skilled migrant or EU Blue Card route, with straightforward family reunion. Hong Kong dependant visas require employer sponsorship and the recent immigration reforms have tightened scrutiny.
How long does the school admissions process take in each city?
In Hong Kong, top schools often have 12 to 24 month waiting lists and debentures may be required. In Amsterdam, decisions usually come back within four to eight weeks; DIS places at AICS are competitive but resolve faster.
Where do most international school families live in each city?
Hong Kong families cluster around The Peak, Mid-Levels, Discovery Bay, Pok Fu Lam and Repulse Bay. Amsterdam families settle in Amstelveen, Zuidas, Oud Zuid and Buitenveldert.
