The European Schools sit in a category of their own among international schools in Brussels, and EEB4 is the youngest of the four, opened in 2007 to absorb the growing demand from the European institutions and on its purpose built Laeken site since 2012. It runs from nursery through primary to the secondary years and the European Baccalaureate, the university entrance diploma recognised across the European Union, and it also offers an International Baccalaureate option in the final years, which is unusual within the system. 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, explained plainly below.
At a glance
Curriculum and academics
EEB4 follows the common European Schools curriculum, harmonised across language sections except for mother tongue, and leads to the European Baccalaureate at the end of secondary year seven. Children join a language section, usually their first language, study core subjects in it and add further languages from early primary, so multilingualism is the default. The school has run eight language sections, including English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Romanian, Bulgarian and Estonian, with provision for pupils whose language has no dedicated section.
What sets EEB4 apart within the system is the International Baccalaureate option offered alongside the European Baccalaureate in the senior years, giving older students a second internationally recognised route to university. For families weighing the European model against the British, French and independent international schools in the city, our Brussels IB schools hub and the wider city hub map the choices.
Weighing up two Brussels schools?
Put up to three Brussels schools side by side on curriculum, stages and fee band with our compare tool, then narrow the shortlist before you book a tour.
European School Brussels IV fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Nursery (Maternelle) | EUR 4,370 |
| Primary | EUR 6,009 |
| Secondary | EUR 8,195 |
Source: European Schools Board of Governors (Category III schedule). Category III (non-EU-institution) rate set centrally by the Board of Governors, for pupils enrolled after Aug 2013. A 25 percent deposit 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 IV fees follow the European Schools categories rather than one tuition for everyone. 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 places this against the premium independent campuses so the difference is clear before you plan.
- 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 or IB Diploma entry in the senior years
- Extras: transport, lunches, materials and trips
Admissions
Admission to EEB4 follows the European Schools' category system rather than competitive testing. Children of European institution staff are allocated centrally to a Brussels school, then other 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; senior students choosing the IB option discuss subject choices with the school.
With central allocation for EU families and a growing population in the north of the city, begin as soon as a posting is confirmed and check current category three availability directly, since it varies by section and year. The academic year starts in September.
Location and who goes there
The campus is in Laeken, in the north of Brussels near the royal domain and the Heysel plateau, an area that has drawn families and institutions as the city has expanded northwards. Laeken is connected to the centre and the European quarter by metro and tram, and the purpose built site gave the school room that the older campuses lacked.
The community is tied to the European institutions, multilingual and highly international, with families spread across the language sections and, increasingly, those drawn to the IB option. 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 IV. 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 IV 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.
Does European School Brussels IV offer the IB?
Yes. EEB4 offers an International Baccalaureate option in the senior years alongside the European Baccalaureate, which is unusual within the European Schools system and gives older students a second recognised route to university.
When do European School Brussels IV 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 demand in the north of the city is growing.
When did European School Brussels IV open?
EEB4 opened in 2007 to ease pressure on the older European Schools and moved into its purpose built Laeken campus in 2012. It is the newest of the four European Schools in the city.
Where is European School Brussels IV located?
The campus is in Laeken, in the north of Brussels near the royal domain and the Heysel, connected to the centre and the European quarter by metro and tram.
