For expat families relocating to the Netherlands, private school admissions in Amsterdam is more competitive than most newcomers expect. Amsterdam has a shallow pool of international seats compared to demand from corporate arrivals, and the best schools are frequently oversubscribed in popular year groups for the September 2026 intake. This 2026 guide explains how the admissions process actually works, what documents you will need and how to improve the odds of placement.
We have written this specifically for English-speaking families who want a private or international route rather than a Dutch state school. If you are open to a bilingual Dutch-English state school under the Tweetalig Onderwijs (TTO) system, the process is different and typically handled by the municipality, so most of this guide will not apply.
The private international school landscape in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has three broad categories of schools for expat children:
- Private international schools. Fee paying, English as main medium of instruction, delivering IB, British or American curricula. These are the highest demand option and the hardest to get into on short notice.
- Publicly subsidised international schools. Known as Dutch International Schools (DIS), partially funded by the Dutch government and therefore much cheaper. Admissions criteria are stricter and usually require that at least one parent is on a temporary contract in the Netherlands.
- Bilingual Dutch schools with an international section. Delivered in Dutch with significant English content, suited to families planning to stay several years and integrate.
The rest of this article focuses on fully private and DIS routes, since that is where most expat families direct their applications.
When to start the admissions process
For a September 2026 start, the realistic timeline looks like this:
- Before October 2025: Research schools and create a shortlist of three or four campuses.
- October 2025 to January 2026: Submit applications. Several Amsterdam schools operate a rolling admissions system, but capacity is filled first come, first served for the most contested year groups.
- January to March 2026: Family interviews, child assessments, tours.
- March to June 2026: Offers issued, enrolment contracts signed, deposit paid.
- July to August 2026: Uniform purchases, school bus registration, vaccination records submitted, EU health insurance confirmed.
If you are relocating mid year, apply immediately on confirmation of the posting. Some schools maintain a waiting list and release places within a week when circumstances change. Late applicants can still secure places, but choice narrows quickly.
Featured school
The British School of Amsterdam
The British School of Amsterdam is one of the longest established private international schools in the city, delivering the English National Curriculum from Early Years to A Level. The school is popular with UK expat families and with internationally mobile families who want a British pathway. The admissions team operates a structured process with clear documentation requirements and tends to reply within two to three weeks of a complete application. Places in Year 1, Year 7 and Year 12 fill first, so early enquiries are sensible.
Other schools to consider
Beyond the British School of Amsterdam, expat families frequently shortlist The International School of Amsterdam (ISA) in Amstelveen, Amsterdam International Community School (AICS) with several city locations, Amity International School Amsterdam and the International French School of Amsterdam. Each has a different balance between curriculum, cost and waiting list length, so it is worth requesting brochures and fee schedules in parallel.
What a complete application looks like
Admissions officers in Amsterdam expect a consistent documentary package. You will speed up the process by preparing all of the following before you even press submit:
- Fully completed online application form
- Copy of the child's passport and residence permit if already issued
- Most recent two years of school reports, translated to English if necessary
- Reference letter from the current head of year or class teacher
- Vaccination records and any relevant medical information
- Educational psychology reports or individual education plans if applicable
- For secondary applicants, samples of recent written work in English
- Parents' employment confirmation letters, relevant for DIS eligibility
- Proof of Amsterdam address or planned rental contract
- Application fee, typically 250 to 500 euros and non-refundable
If a document is missing, admissions officers often pause the application rather than chase, so a complete first submission is a meaningful advantage.
Fees and capital levies in 2026
Expect the following ranges for the 2026 academic year in euros:
- DIS primary and secondary: €5,000 to 9,500 per year
- Private primary: €18,000 to 28,000 per year
- Private secondary (pre-IB): €22,000 to 30,000 per year
- Private IB Diploma or A Level: €26,000 to 34,000 per year
Private schools also charge a capital or enrolment contribution of €2,000 to 8,000 at entry, school bus of €2,000 to 3,500, lunch plans, uniforms, trips and examination entry fees. Budget an extra 15 to 20 percent on top of headline tuition to reach the true all in annual cost.
Language support for non-Dutch speakers
International and private schools in Amsterdam welcome children with no Dutch and provide strong English medium instruction from the start. Most campuses run an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme for children whose home language is not English. Children who start young typically reach grade level in English within a year and pick up conversational Dutch from daily life and playground interaction.
Secondary entrants should expect a baseline English assessment at application. Scores do not usually determine admission but do inform EAL support level in the first year.
Neighbourhoods to live in
Commute windows in Amsterdam are short by international standards but school bus routes are limited. Popular expat districts with easy school access:
- Amstelveen. Home to the International School of Amsterdam, family friendly, good public transport to central Amsterdam.
- Zuid and Oud Zuid. Central, close to Vondelpark, served by multiple school bus routes.
- Zuidas and Buitenveldert. Purpose built for expat families, close to Schiphol for frequent travellers.
- Ijburg. Newer residential islands with schools on site, emerging option for young families.
Verify the school bus catchment before finalising a rental contract. Outside the defined zone, families must manage transport themselves, which is workable but often adds 45 minutes a day to routines.
How to improve your odds
Treat admissions as a project with its own plan. Apply to three schools in parallel. Submit complete packages. Book tours in person if at all possible, because admissions teams remember families who engage. Flag any special needs early rather than at the last minute. Be honest about your expected length of stay: schools allocate places partly on fit, and a family planning a long stay is often preferred to a six month transient.
For the full ranking of international and bilingual schools across the Netherlands with reviews, fees and parent feedback, visit the International School Advisor Netherlands ranking.
Frequently asked questions
Can we apply to international schools in Amsterdam from abroad?
Yes. All major schools accept applications from overseas and conduct interviews by video call. You will typically be asked to visit in person before signing an enrolment contract, but the full pre-offer process can run from abroad.
Do international schools in Amsterdam require Dutch residency?
Private schools do not require Dutch residency to apply, though a confirmed address is usually needed before enrolment. Dutch International Schools (DIS) expect at least one parent on a temporary contract in the Netherlands, which is usually evidenced by an employment letter.
How competitive are admissions in 2026?
Entry to Early Years, Year 1 and Year 7 is the most competitive, with the strongest private schools routinely at capacity by early spring. Mid year applications are possible and worth pursuing, but shortlisting three schools rather than one materially improves the odds of placement.