Sweden offers an unusually wide range of school options for expat families. The public school system is free (and high quality), accepts expat children with EU residence rights, and delivers teaching in Swedish with EAL support. International schools concentrate in Stockholm and Gothenburg, with a small handful elsewhere. For relocating families, the question is usually whether to choose free Swedish public school (with Swedish-language immersion as a real choice) or fee-paying English-medium international school.
The international school market
Stockholm hosts seven or eight credible international schools including the British International School of Stockholm, International School of the Stockholm Region, Stockholm International School, Engelska Skolan (Swedish-government-funded English-medium), and the German school. Gothenburg has the International School of the Gothenburg Region and a smaller cluster. Fees at full international schools range from SEK 150,000 to 210,000 per year.
The IB pathway in Sweden
The IB Diploma is offered at most major Stockholm and Gothenburg international schools and increasingly at Swedish gymnasiums (the IB Diploma is now a recognised alternative to the Swedish national upper-secondary qualification). For relocating families with children approaching Year 12, the IB option is generally available.
The public school option
The Swedish public school system is unusually open to expat families. With EU residence, your child has the right to a free place. Teaching is in Swedish, with EAL support available at most schools. For younger children, this is often a faster route to integration. For older children, the Swedish-language demand makes the international school option more practical.
Admissions calendar
Public school placement is allocated by Kommun (municipality) ahead of the academic year start in late August. International school admissions follow international school norms: applications open in January, decisions in March and April. Year-round rolling admission is common for relocating families subject to year-group capacity.