Amsterdam gives relocating families two genuinely different routes, a network of subsidised Dutch international schools that keep fees modest for temporary residents, and a smaller group of fully private international schools, alongside an excellent free Dutch state system for families settling longer. That choice, rather than a shortage of places, is what most parents spend their early weeks weighing.
The school landscape in Amsterdam
The private international option includes International School of Amsterdam, which runs the full International Baccalaureate continuum, and The British School of Amsterdam, which follows an English National Curriculum pathway. The subsidised route is best represented by Amsterdam International Community School, part of the Dutch international schools network that receives government funding and charges lower fees to families who meet the temporary residence criteria. Alongside both, the Dutch state system is free, high quality and used by many international families who plan to stay, since young children reach working Dutch within about two years with structured support.
How to move to Amsterdam with children, step by step
Relocating with school aged children rewards early planning. These five steps mirror how the GlobalSchoolGuide relocation desk sequences a family move, so nothing critical slips through the gaps between the offer, the housing search and the first day of term.
- Set your relocation timeline. Fix your move date against the school start and work backwards, allowing several months for shortlisting and applications in Amsterdam.
- Shortlist and apply to schools. Match three schools in Amsterdam to your child's age, curriculum and budget, then apply early because popular year groups fill first.
- Confirm fees and admissions. Request the current fee schedule and admissions requirements directly from each school, since published figures are reset every academic year.
- Choose a neighbourhood near school. Pick housing within a reasonable commute of your shortlisted school, because in Amsterdam your address and travel time shape your options.
- Settle the practical set up. Arrange residency, banking, health cover and the physical move, and time everything to the school calendar so your child starts with the year group.
Fees and budgeting
Fees depend heavily on which route you choose. The subsidised Dutch international schools charge markedly less than fully private schools because they receive government funding, though eligibility usually depends on your residence status and your employer. Private international school fees sit in a mid European band and rise through the senior years. Published schedules change each year, so confirm the current figure and, crucially, your eligibility for the subsidised route directly with the school before you budget.
Neighbourhoods and housing
Families using the International School of Amsterdam often settle in Amstelveen, the leafy municipality just south of the city that grew up around the school, while those using central schools favour Amsterdam Zuid and Oud Zuid for their family housing and green space. Haarlem and the wider commuter belt suit families who want more space for the money and are comfortable with a short train journey. Housing is tight and competitive across the region, so line up the school before you commit to an area.
Language and settling in
Dutch is the official language and the medium of the state system, but English is spoken almost universally and you can run an English speaking household without difficulty. Children who enter Dutch state schools receive structured language support and typically reach a working level within two years. Families expecting a short posting usually keep children in the international stream to protect curriculum continuity.
Curriculum continuity
Curriculum continuity matters most for families who move often or who have a child near public examinations. The International School of Amsterdam anchors its senior years in the IB Diploma, which travels well and is recognised worldwide, so a child mid way through the IB can usually continue without losing ground. The British School route leads to IGCSE and A Level qualifications that are equally portable. Families weighing the Dutch state route should note that it leads to Dutch qualifications, an excellent outcome for those settling permanently but a harder pivot for a family expecting another posting. Our IB curriculum overview explains how the Diploma moves between countries.
Residency, healthcare and admin
On the practical side, register with your local municipality, the gemeente, promptly, because this gives you a citizen service number, the BSN, that you need for banking, healthcare, tenancy and school enrolment. Dutch health insurance is mandatory and you must arrange a basic policy soon after arrival. Sorting the BSN, the health insurance and the school offer in the right order saves weeks of avoidable friction.
The admissions timeline
The school year runs from late August or early September to July. Private international schools admit through the year subject to space, but popular year groups fill early, so start your shortlist as soon as the move is confirmed. Subsidised Dutch international schools apply eligibility criteria tied to residence, so check your status early because it determines which route is open to you.
Is Amsterdam a good place to raise children?
Amsterdam is a compact, cycle friendly and famously child aware city, with excellent parks, museums and a culture that builds daily life around families and bicycles. Distances are short, public services are strong and the pace is calmer than in larger European capitals, which many relocating parents value once the initial admin is behind them.
Frequently asked questions
Are there international schools in Amsterdam that teach in English?
Yes. Amsterdam has both fully private international schools, such as the International School of Amsterdam and The British School of Amsterdam, and a network of subsidised Dutch international schools that charge lower fees to eligible temporary residents. All teach in English.
What is a subsidised Dutch international school?
It is a school within the government funded Dutch international education network that offers an English medium international curriculum at lower fees than a fully private school. Eligibility usually depends on your residence status and employer, so confirm your position with the school before you apply.
How much do international schools in Amsterdam cost?
It depends on the route. Subsidised Dutch international schools cost markedly less than fully private international schools, whose fees sit in a mid European band and rise through the senior years. Schedules change annually, so confirm the current figure and your eligibility directly.
Which neighbourhoods work best for families?
Amstelveen suits families using the International School of Amsterdam, while Amsterdam Zuid and Oud Zuid work for central schools. Haarlem and the commuter belt offer more space for those comfortable with a short train ride. Housing is competitive, so secure the school first.
When should we start the school search?
As soon as the move is confirmed. Popular year groups fill early, and if you are considering the subsidised Dutch international route you should check your eligibility promptly, because it determines which schools are open to your family.
Plan your move
Use these free tools and guides to turn this overview into a shortlist and a working plan for your family's move to Amsterdam.