In this guide
Secondary fee range at a glance
Bands are 2026 estimates tied to our Stockholm fees research. Secondary and sixth form tuition sits at the top of each private band; the IB Diploma years are the most expensive. Stockholm International School and the British International School of Stockholm both run the full IB Diploma, while the free Swedish gymnasium also offers IB at selected schools, so a family eligible for the state system can access the IB without the private fee.
Secondary fee table by tier
| Tier | Annual secondary tuition | Approx conversion | Illustrative schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private international (English medium) | SEK 190,000 - 235,000 | EUR 16,500 - 20,500 / USD 17,800 - 22,000 | Stockholm International School, British International School of Stockholm |
| Other private and subsidised | SEK 15,000 - 60,000 | EUR 1,300 - 5,200 | Lycee Francais Saint Louis, Deutsche Schule Stockholm |
| Swedish gymnasium (free) | Tuition free | Funded by the kommun | State upper secondary schools for registered residents |
School names indicate the fee tier and are illustrative, not a ranking. Bands are 2026 planning estimates; the IB Diploma and equivalent senior years sit at the top of each band. Confirm exact figures with each school.
Added and one-off costs
| Cost item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application / registration | SEK 1,000 - 3,000 | Non refundable, paid per applicant at the private schools |
| One off enrolment / capital fee | SEK 25,000 - 35,000 where charged | Stockholm International School charges a one off enrolment fee of about SEK 30,000 |
| Annual capital fee | SEK 5,000 - 15,000 where charged | Billed alongside tuition at some private schools |
| Exam entries (IB) | SEK 6,000 - 12,000 in exam years | Concentrated in the IB Diploma years |
| Lunch, trips and devices | SEK 5,000 - 15,000 a year | School lunch is free in the state system but charged at private schools |
What drives the cost
The biggest driver at senior level in Stockholm is whether a family uses the private international route or the free Swedish gymnasium. For registered residents the gymnasium is tuition free and several state schools offer the IB Diploma, so the private fee is effectively a premium for English medium teaching, an international peer group and a smaller school rather than for the qualification itself. Inside the private sector the IB Diploma years carry small classes, specialist teaching, university counselling and examination costs that push the senior fee to the top of the band. Sweden also caps and subsidises much of its education system, which keeps the publicly supported French and German schools far below the fully private international ones and explains the wide gap between the bands.
Compare secondary fees across cities
Put Stockholm secondary fees next to other host cities side by side before you commit.
Hidden costs beyond tuition
Headline tuition is only part of the picture at the private schools, and the one off enrolment fee is the line families most often overlook. Plan for a registration fee of SEK 1,000 to 3,000 per applicant, a one off enrolment or capital fee of about SEK 30,000 at Stockholm International School, an annual capital fee of SEK 5,000 to 15,000 at some schools, examination entries of SEK 6,000 to 12,000 in the IB years, and lunch, trips and devices of SEK 5,000 to 15,000 a year. The state gymnasium removes almost all of these, including free school lunch, which is the single largest saving for an eligible family.
For a full family budget that places these alongside housing and living costs, use our relocation cost calculator.
Compare secondary fees
Stockholm private international secondary fees sit in the mid to upper European band, while the free gymnasium makes the city one of the cheapest in Europe for families who qualify for the state system. Use our compare fees tool to put Stockholm next to other European host cities and curricula, then revisit the Stockholm nursery and preschool fees for the earlier stages and the all in cost of a place.
FAQ
How much is secondary international school in Stockholm?
A private English medium senior place at an established international school runs roughly SEK 190,000 to 235,000 a year, around EUR 16,500 to 20,500, with the IB Diploma years at the top. The Swedish gymnasium system is tuition free for registered residents, including several schools that offer the IB.
Which Stockholm schools offer the IB Diploma?
Stockholm International School and the British International School of Stockholm both run the full IB Diploma in the private sector, and several state gymnasium schools also offer the IB Diploma to registered residents at no tuition cost.
Is the Swedish gymnasium really free for expats?
For families registered as residents in Sweden the upper secondary gymnasium is tuition free and funded by the kommun, and school lunch is included. The main requirement is residency and registration rather than nationality, so many expat families on longer postings use the state route.
What are the hidden costs of secondary school in Stockholm?
At the private schools, beyond tuition families add a registration fee of SEK 1,000 to 3,000, a one off enrolment or capital fee of about SEK 30,000 at Stockholm International School, an annual capital fee of SEK 5,000 to 15,000 at some schools, IB examination entries of SEK 6,000 to 12,000, and lunch, trips and devices. The state gymnasium removes almost all of these.
Is the IB Diploma the most expensive stage in Stockholm?
Within the private sector, yes. The IB Diploma years carry small classes, specialist teaching, university counselling and examination costs, so they sit at the top of the private band. In the free gymnasium the IB Diploma carries no tuition fee.