Of the European Schools among international schools in Brussels, EEB3 is the one closest to the European quarter, in Ixelles, and it has grown into one of the largest school communities in the city since it opened in 1999. It runs from nursery through primary to the secondary years and the European Baccalaureate, the university entrance diploma recognised across the European Union, with teaching organised into language sections so children learn partly in their mother tongue. This profile sets out what GlobalSchoolGuide Editorial has verified about its programme, fees and admissions.
We are independent and no school pays to be listed. The European Schools run their own admissions priorities and fee categories, which we explain below.
At a glance
Curriculum and academics
EEB3 follows the common European Schools curriculum, harmonised across the language sections except for mother tongue, and leads to the European Baccalaureate at the end of secondary year seven. Each child joins a language section, usually matching a first language, and studies core subjects in that language while picking up further languages from early in the primary years. The school has run seven language sections, including a German section alongside English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Greek and Czech, with provision for pupils whose language has no dedicated section.
The strength of the model is continuity and multilingualism: a family moving between European postings can keep a child in the same system and language section, and graduates leave genuinely fluent across languages. The European Baccalaureate that crowns the programme is accepted by universities across the member states. For how EEB3 fits beside the British, French and independent international schools in the city, our Brussels city hub maps the options.
Not sure which Brussels school fits?
Our school finder quiz takes five minutes and shortlists three Brussels schools matched to your child's stage, the curriculum you want and your budget.
European School Brussels III fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Nursery (Maternelle) | EUR 4,370 |
| Primary | EUR 6,009 |
| Secondary | EUR 8,194 |
Source: European Schools Board of Governors (Category III schedule). Category III (non-EU-institution) rate set by the Board of Governors. A deposit also applies. Fees are the most recent published figures and exclude one-off costs such as registration, deposits and capital levies. Always confirm current fees directly with the school.
European School Brussels III fees follow the European Schools categories rather than a single published tuition for all. Children of staff of the European institutions attend under an arrangement funded through the European Union and pay little or no tuition, while families who do not qualify, broadly category three, pay published fees and take places where capacity allows. Our international school fees in Brussels guide sets this against the premium English medium campuses so you can see the difference clearly.
- Category one and two: children of European institution and partner staff, tuition funded through the EU arrangement
- Category three: other families pay published European Schools fees, subject to places
- Examination entry: European Baccalaureate entry in the final years
- Extras: transport, lunches, materials and trips
Admissions
Admission to EEB3 runs on the European Schools' category system rather than entrance testing. Children of European institution staff are allocated centrally to a Brussels school, then other defined categories follow, with remaining places offered to fee paying category three families where space allows. A child is placed in the language section matching a first language, and prior schooling is reviewed to set the year group.
Given central allocation for EU families and strong demand near the European quarter, begin the process as soon as a posting is confirmed and check current category three availability directly, since it varies by section. The academic year begins in September.
Location and who goes there
The campus is in Ixelles, one of the most international and densely populated communes, next to the European quarter where many EU staff work, which makes the daily commute short for institution families. Ixelles mixes lively neighbourhoods, the ULB and VUB universities and a large expatriate population, and is well served by tram, bus and the nearby rail links.
The community is overwhelmingly tied to the European institutions, multilingual and highly international, spread across the language sections. For the full landscape of neighbourhoods, curricula and fees across the capital, return to the Brussels city hub.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for European School Brussels III (EEB3). GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish reviews only once we can confirm they come from real families. If your child attends or has attended the school, we would value your first hand account. Share your experience through the school reviews hub and help the next relocating family decide with better evidence.
Frequently asked questions
How much are European School Brussels III fees?
It depends on category. Children of European institution staff attend under an EU funded arrangement and pay little or no tuition, while other families, category three, pay published European Schools fees subject to places. Budget for examination entry and extras such as transport. Our Brussels fees guide gives the wider context.
Is European School Brussels III a good school?
EEB3 is one of the largest European Schools in the city and part of the official system that oversees the European Baccalaureate, a recognised university entrance diploma. We do not publish a rating, as we hold no verified parent reviews yet. Its multilingual, mother tongue model is its defining strength.
When do European School Brussels III applications open?
The school year starts in September. EU staff families are allocated centrally by the European Schools, while category three families apply where capacity allows. Begin as soon as a posting is confirmed, because places near the European quarter are in strong demand.
What languages does EEB3 teach in?
EEB3 has run seven language sections, including German, English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Greek and Czech. Children are taught core subjects in their section language and learn further languages from early primary.
Where is European School Brussels III located?
The campus is in Ixelles, next to the European quarter, one of the most international communes in the city and a short commute for European institution families.
