Primary international school fees in Copenhagen run from roughly DKK 30,000 a year at state subsidised international primaries to well above DKK 130,000 at premium unsubsidised schools, with the subsidy a Danish resident family receives the single biggest factor in what you actually pay.
Copenhagen is unusual among European cities because many international schools are approved by the Danish Ministry of Children and Education and receive a per pupil state subsidy. Families resident in Denmark with a CPR number pay only the unsubsidised portion, which can be far below the headline fee.
That subsidy mechanism, rather than curriculum alone, drives the price spread at primary level. A subsidised place at a Danish approved international primary can cost a fraction of a fully private, unsubsidised school aimed at globally mobile families.
The table below bands annual primary tuition by school tier, based on published school fee schedules and our city fee research. Primary year groups usually sit at the lower end of each school's published range, with fees stepping up through secondary. Figures are tuition only; one off and recurring extras are set out separately below.
| Tier | Annual primary tuition | Typical schools |
|---|---|---|
| Premium (unsubsidised) | DKK 90,000 to 140,000+ | Fully private, non subsidised international primaries |
| Upper mid | DKK 45,000 to 75,000 | Established international primaries, partial subsidy cases |
| Subsidised mid | DKK 35,000 to 53,000 | Rygaards International School, International School of Hellerup |
| Subsidised value | DKK 30,000 to 45,000 | Lycee Francais elementary and Danish approved primaries |
School names illustrate each tier and are not endorsements or exact quotes. Confirm current fees directly with each school.
Tuition is only part of the bill. The line items below are indicative bands for international schools in this market and should be confirmed with each school, as policies vary widely and some waive individual charges entirely.
| Cost | Indicative band | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application / registration | DKK 1,000 to 3,000 | Non refundable, paid with the application. |
| Enrolment deposit | One term of fees, refundable | Returned at the end of the child's time at the school. |
| Catered lunch | DKK 5,000 to 10,000 a year | Where offered; optional at some schools, included at others. |
| After school club | DKK 10,000 to 20,000 a year where used | Widely used for younger primary children given short school days. |
Bands above are indicative industry ranges, not school specific quotes. Always confirm current figures in a school's fee schedule before budgeting.
The subsidy status is the dominant driver. A Danish resident family at a state approved school pays only the unsubsidised share, which can sit in the tens of thousands of kroner, while a non resident or a fully private school pays the full, much higher rate.
Curriculum and staffing matter on top of subsidy. English medium and IB primaries with mostly overseas trained teachers cost more than schools that blend the Danish system with an international stream. The newest, purpose built campuses also command a premium.
Because the gap between subsidised and unsubsidised rates can reach DKK 50,000 to 100,000 per child a year, the first question for any relocating family is whether they will register as Danish residents and whether the chosen school qualifies for the subsidy.
Tuition is the headline, but transport, deposits and capital levies add up. Use our comparison tool to line up Copenhagen primary fees against the city your offer is in.
Open the fee comparison toolRegistration fees are modest by international standards but are non refundable and paid per applicant. An enrolment deposit, typically equivalent to one term of fees, is usually returned when the child leaves.
Lunch is a notable recurring cost where catered, and many families budget several thousand kroner a year for it. Add the after school club, which is widely used in Copenhagen given working parents and short school days for younger children.
Eligibility for the state subsidy depends on residency and the school's approval status, so confirm both before assuming the lower figure. If you are not a registered resident, expect to pay the full unsubsidised fee from the first term.
For the full breakdown by school and tier, including secondary projections, start from the Copenhagen international schools hub to shortlist by curriculum and neighbourhood. To weigh one city against another, the international school fee calculator totals tuition plus living costs.
Primary international school fees in Copenhagen range from about DKK 30,000 a year at state subsidised primaries to well above DKK 130,000 at fully private unsubsidised schools. What a family actually pays depends heavily on Danish residency and whether the school qualifies for the per pupil subsidy.
Many are approved by the Danish Ministry of Children and Education and receive a per pupil state subsidy. Families resident in Denmark with a CPR number pay only the unsubsidised portion, which can be DKK 50,000 to 100,000 a year lower than the full fee.
Generally yes. The state subsidy is tied to Danish residency, so families who are not registered residents usually pay the full unsubsidised rate, which is materially higher than the subsidised fee a local resident pays.
Budget for a non refundable registration fee, an enrolment deposit of about one term of fees, catered lunch where offered, and the after school club that many primary families use given short school days.
Established options include Copenhagen International School, Rygaards International School, the International School of Hellerup and the Lycee Francais Prins Henrik, spanning IB, English medium and French primary provision at a range of price points.
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