At a glance
| Factor | London | Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | GBP 28,000 to 45,000 (post VAT) | EUR 5,500 (DIS) or 18,000 to 32,000 (private) |
| Dominant curricula | British (A Level), IB, American | Dutch IPC, IB, British, American |
| Cost of living vs Amsterdam | Roughly 20 to 30 percent higher | Baseline |
| Income tax on salary | Up to 45 percent plus NI | Up to about 49.5 percent, 30% ruling phased |
| Family visa | Skilled Worker, Global Talent, dependants | EU, Highly Skilled Migrant, dependants |
| Climate | Cool temperate, grey winters | Cool temperate, similar to London |
Both cities sit firmly in northern Europe and both have strong British, IB and American school markets. The decisive differences are tax, rent and the cost shock that VAT brought to UK private school fees in 2025.
Schools landscape side by side
London families consider The American School in London, International School of London, Southbank International, ACS Cobham (commuter belt), Halcyon London, ICS London and IB-focused schools such as Sevenoaks just outside the M25. UK independent schools such as Westminster, St Paul's and Eton operate to a different admissions logic.
Amsterdam parents shortlist the International School of Amsterdam, Amsterdam International Community School (with subsidised Dutch International School tuition), British School of Amsterdam, Optimist International School and the European School of The Hague nearby. See our London city hub and Amsterdam city hub for full lists.
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 for London and Amsterdam in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
Since January 2025, UK private school fees attract 20 percent VAT. A London IB Diploma place that cost GBP 30,000 in 2024 typically costs GBP 36,000 in 2026, before bus and lunch. All-in London annual fees at the IB tier sit at GBP 42,000 to 48,000.
Amsterdam's subsidised Dutch International Schools (the AICS network) run at around EUR 5,500 per year, dramatically cheaper than London. Private alternatives such as ISA cost EUR 22,000 to 32,000. Use the fees tool to test both routes.
Curriculum availability
London offers the deepest British curriculum market in the world. Amsterdam is much more IB-focused, with the AICS and ISA both running strong Diploma cohorts. American and Dutch IPC options exist at scale in Amsterdam. The IB hub walks through the IB Diploma in detail.
Neighbourhoods families pick
London expats settle in Notting Hill, Chelsea, Hampstead, St John's Wood and Wandsworth for inner-city school catchments, and Cobham, Esher, Weybridge and Sevenoaks for commuter-belt international schools. A four-bedroom home in inner London runs GBP 6,500 to 16,000 per month.
Amsterdam families pick Amstelveen near AICS Buitenveldert, Old South, the Canal Belt and South Axis. A four-bedroom Amsterdam family home runs EUR 4,500 to 8,500 per month, with much better cycling infrastructure than London.
Lifestyle and climate
London has unmatched cultural depth, parks, sport and global airline connections. Amsterdam is human-scale, cycle-first, and one of the most child-friendly capitals in Europe. The Dutch 30% ruling for foreign hires has been phased and is now tighter than it was, but it still gives some expats a multi-year tax benefit. Healthcare is high quality in both, with statutory cover broader in the Netherlands.
The two cities also handle childcare and after-school logistics very differently. London's nursery and wraparound care market is private and expensive, particularly in central catchments. Amsterdam's kinderopvang is partly subsidised, with strong before and after school clubs in most neighbourhoods. Public transport in Amsterdam is more child-friendly thanks to the cycling culture, and many children travel independently to school from age nine. London children typically rely on parents or transport into school until later. Factor these routines into any final salary versus cost-of-living model.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose London if cultural depth, university access and the British school heritage matter most, and you can absorb VAT-loaded fees on top of a UK tax bill.
Choose Amsterdam if you want strong IB schooling at subsidised Dutch international school fees, a cycle-led family rhythm and proximity to the rest of Europe.
Run both through the cost calculator with realistic salary, rent and three years of fees per child.
Frequently asked questions
Does VAT really add 20 percent to UK school fees?
Yes. From January 2025 the UK government applies 20 percent VAT on most private school fees, including the international schools London expats use. Limited charity exceptions exist but most schools pass the full uplift to parents.
Can my child attend a subsidised Dutch International School?
Yes, if at least one parent is on a temporary work assignment in the Netherlands, or the child has lived abroad for a defined period. The AICS network runs strong IB Diploma cohorts at around EUR 5,500 per year.
Has the Dutch 30 percent ruling been phased out?
It has been tightened. The maximum benefit duration has shrunk and the tax-free percentage now reduces over the assignment. New hires from 2024 onwards should model take home pay carefully.
Which city is easier on a single income for two children?
Amsterdam by a clear margin, particularly if the children attend a Dutch International School. London becomes manageable only with a corporate package that fully covers post-VAT tuition.
How easy is it to move from London schools to Amsterdam ones mid year?
Reasonably easy in the IB stream, since both cities run the IB Diploma and the IGCSE pathway. British curriculum families moving to AICS can transition into the IB Middle Years Programme without losing a year.
