At a glance
| Factor | London | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (primary) | USD 24,000 to 38,000 (GBP 18,000 to GBP 30,000) | USD 18,000 to 30,000 (EUR 17,000 to EUR 28,000) |
| Average international school fees (secondary) | USD 30,000 to 45,000 (GBP 22,000 to GBP 35,000) | USD 25,000 to 42,000 (EUR 23,000 to EUR 38,000) |
| Dominant curricula | British, IB, American, French, German and Japanese | French Bac, IB, British and American |
| Family visa | Skilled Worker visa with dependants, Global Talent and High Potential Individual routes, no income tax for school fees | EU Blue Card, Talent Passport and salaried-employee residence permit all carry family-member rights |
| Expat share of population | about 37 percent of Greater London is foreign-born | about 20 percent of Greater Paris is foreign-born |
| Regulator | ISI and Ofsted | Ministère de l'Éducation nationale |
London and Paris are both viable family bases in 2026, but they serve different priorities. Paris sits 6 to 12 percent cheaper than London overall once housing is included, with the gap concentrated in rent, according to Numbeo, May 2026. The bigger differences sit in school markets, climate, and how the visa system treats accompanying spouses and children.
Schools landscape side by side
London's international schools market is regulated by ISI and Ofsted, with roughly 90 international or international-friendly schools covering British, IB, American, French, German and Japanese. Families typically shortlist names such as ACS International Schools (Cobham, Egham, Hillingdon), Southbank International, International School of London and TASIS England. Fees are not centrally regulated. Most schools publish a three to five percent uplift annually, before VAT.
Paris's market is overseen by the French Ministry of National Education, with around 25 international schools and a dense network of bilingual private schools. Dominant curricula are French Bac, IB, British and American. The schools families ask us about most include International School of Paris, British School of Paris, American School of Paris and Marymount International School Paris. International schools post annual increases of 3 to 6 percent. Capital levies of EUR 5,000 to EUR 15,000 are common in Year 1.
Both cities publish independent inspection ratings, so you can validate a shortlist against an objective source before you visit. Use our compare tool to put three schools side by side, then ask each one for last year's IB Diploma or A Level results in writing.
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
Annual primary tuition runs USD 24,000 to 38,000 (GBP 18,000 to GBP 30,000) in London and USD 18,000 to 30,000 (EUR 17,000 to EUR 28,000) in Paris. For secondary, London sits at USD 30,000 to 45,000 (GBP 22,000 to GBP 35,000) and Paris at USD 25,000 to 42,000 (EUR 23,000 to EUR 38,000). Since January 2025 the UK applies 20 percent VAT on most private school fees, so the headline number is now 20 percent higher than it was a year ago. Public schools with international sections charge nominal fees of EUR 800 to EUR 2,000 a year but require strong French and a competitive entry process. See the all-in load including transport and capital levies in our London fees guide and Paris fees guide. Model a five year per-child total in the cost calculator.
Curriculum availability
Both cities cover the big four global pathways of IB, British, American and a credible local route. London leans toward British, while Paris leans toward French Bac. The IB Diploma is the safest portable credential in either city. Families who may relocate again within five years usually prefer an established IB programme to keep transfer friction low. For curriculum-specific deep dives see our IB hub, British curriculum hub and American curriculum hub.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In London, international school families cluster in Kensington and Chelsea, St John's Wood, Hampstead, Richmond and the Surrey commuter belt. A four-bedroom family home in a school catchment runs gbp 4,500 to 8,500 per month, and competition is heaviest in the autumn term. In Paris, the catchment areas that come up most often are the 7th, 16th and 17th arrondissements, Neuilly-sur-Seine, Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Versailles. A three-bedroom apartment in the central arrondissements runs eur 4,000 to 7,500 per month, with very limited family homes inside the périphérique. Bus routes from these neighbourhoods to the major school clusters are dense in both cities, so plan around the school first and the postcode second.
Visit London and Paris on our cities hub for full neighbourhood profiles, plus the schools each catchment feeds.
Lifestyle and climate
London is temperate, with cool wet winters and mild summers in the high teens to low twenties Celsius. Heatwaves are short and rare. Paris is temperate, with cool wet winters and warm summers in the low to mid twenties Celsius. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for family life. English is the native language, so most expat families integrate quickly in London; French dominates daily life, so children outside fully English-medium schools acquire it quickly in Paris. Safety, healthcare and air quality all differ meaningfully between the two cities, and most families weigh these alongside cost when they finalise the call.
Verdict: who picks which city
Pick London when
Choose London if English-medium schooling, the British university funnel and a global English-language labour market matter most. The 20 percent VAT on private school fees since January 2025 is a real cost, but the depth of choice is unmatched.
Pick Paris when
Choose Paris if you want a bilingual French-English upbringing, easier access to public schools with international sections at nominal fees, and stronger eurozone career and university pathways. It is the stronger pick for families committed to staying in continental Europe.
Most families run both cities through the cost calculator before they commit, and use the school finder to shortlist three concrete options at each end before booking visits.
Frequently asked questions
Do French private schools really charge under EUR 2,000 a year?
Yes, but only public schools with international sections. These accept children who pass a competitive French-language assessment. Fees are typically EUR 800 to EUR 2,000 a year. Fully international schools in Paris charge EUR 22,000 to EUR 42,000 in 2026.
How does the new UK VAT on school fees affect London families?
Since 1 January 2025, the UK applies 20 percent VAT on most private school fees. A school that was GBP 30,000 in 2024 is now GBP 36,000. Some international schools that qualify as educational charities have partial reliefs, but most expat families should budget a 20 percent uplift relative to pre-2025 figures.
Where do most international school families live in London and Paris?
In London, families cluster in Kensington and Chelsea, St John's Wood, Hampstead, Richmond and the Surrey commuter belt. In Paris, the typical catchment areas are the 7th, 16th and 17th arrondissements, Neuilly-sur-Seine, Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Versailles. Pick the school first, then choose a postcode that sits on a reliable bus route or commute.
How long does the admissions process take in each city?
Plan for 8 to 16 weeks at well-known schools in either city. Tier 1 names in London or Paris may have waiting lists at popular intake points like Years 1, 7 and 12, so book assessments at least one term before your move date.
