Amsterdam has built one of Europe's most respected ecosystems of bilingual international schools, drawing expat families from across the world. With Dutch ranked among the strongest English-as-second-language countries on the planet and an education sector that genuinely embraces multilingualism, families relocating here often discover that bilingual or even trilingual schooling is a natural fit, not a stretch.
This guide walks you through how bilingual education works in Amsterdam, which schools deliver the strongest dual-language programmes, fees you can expect to pay, and how to navigate admissions for the 2026-2027 academic year.
How bilingual schools work in Amsterdam
The Netherlands operates two parallel tracks for international families. The first is the network of Dutch International Schools (DIS), a partly subsidised model where Dutch nationals and expats share classrooms and instruction is delivered primarily in English. The second is the fully private international school sector, which offers IB, British, French and American curricula with tuition fees in line with Western European norms.
Bilingual provision in Amsterdam typically takes one of three forms:
- English-medium with structured Dutch lessons, usually three to five hours per week from primary onwards.
- Two-way immersion, where roughly half the week is taught in English and half in another language (often Dutch, French or Spanish).
- Mother-tongue maintenance plus host-language acquisition, common at French, German and Italian schools where the curriculum follows the home country and Dutch is added as a second language.
Top bilingual international schools in Amsterdam
The British School of Amsterdam
Established in 1978, The British School of Amsterdam follows the English National Curriculum and IGCSE/A-Level pathway. Dutch is taught from Reception, with weekly hours ramping up through Key Stage 3. The school's residential setting in Oud-Zuid means cycling commutes are practical for most central neighbourhoods.
Amsterdam International Community School (AICS)
AICS is a Dutch International School, which means it benefits from partial government subsidy and is therefore considerably cheaper than fully private alternatives. Instruction is in English and the school offers IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. Dutch language acquisition is structured and intensive, especially for students who plan to remain in the Netherlands long-term.
The International School of Amsterdam
One of the oldest IB World Schools globally, ISA offers the full IB continuum from Early Childhood through Diploma. Dutch host-language lessons are integrated from age four, and the school also offers French and Spanish from primary years for genuine bilingual or trilingual development.
International French School of Amsterdam (IFSA)
IFSA follows the French national curriculum and prepares students for the Baccalaureate. English is taught from Maternelle and Dutch is added in primary school, making this one of the few Amsterdam schools where students graduate genuinely trilingual.
Amity International School Amsterdam
Amity delivers an IB programme with a strong emphasis on personalised learning. Dutch is taught alongside Spanish or Mandarin from primary onwards, and the school's Amstelveen campus is well connected to South Amsterdam expat enclaves.
Winford Bilingual Primary School
For families committed to genuine 50/50 immersion, Winford teaches half the week in Dutch and half in English from age four. It is one of the more authentic two-way immersion options in the city and a fit for families planning a long Dutch chapter.
School fees in Amsterdam
Annual tuition for primary years typically falls between EUR 5,500 and EUR 9,500 at Dutch International Schools (DIS) such as AICS, where Dutch government subsidy keeps fees manageable. Fully private international schools charge between EUR 18,000 and EUR 28,000 for primary, rising to EUR 26,000 to EUR 32,000 for IB Diploma years.
Beyond tuition, budget for a one-off enrolment fee of EUR 1,500 to EUR 4,000, an annual capital levy at some schools, and EUR 1,000 to EUR 2,500 in hot meals, transport and required equipment. Several schools offer sibling discounts of 5 to 10 percent.
Admissions and language assessment
Most Amsterdam international schools open applications a full academic year ahead. AICS in particular runs a centralised admissions process tied to the city's expat housing patterns, so families relocating mid-year should apply as soon as their move is confirmed. For genuine bilingual schools like Winford, expect a short language readiness conversation rather than a hard test, and be prepared to demonstrate parental commitment to the Dutch language at home.
Children with no prior English or Dutch are typically supported through immersion plus pull-out language classes for the first one to two terms. Most schools do not require prior bilingual experience.
Choosing the right neighbourhood
Oud-Zuid, De Pijp and the southern canal belt put families closest to the British School and ISA. Amstelveen is the natural choice for AICS and Amity. Buitenveldert and Zuidas suit IB-track families balancing school commutes with corporate work, while families opting for Winford or smaller bilingual primaries often live in Oud-West or Westerpark.
Cycling is the dominant school commute regardless of neighbourhood. Most schools have secure bike parking and run cycle proficiency programmes from Year 2 onwards.
Next steps
Browse the full ISA-verified ranking of best schools in the Netherlands for fees, curriculum details and parent reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Are bilingual schools in Amsterdam fully bilingual or English-dominant?
Most international schools in Amsterdam are English-medium with structured Dutch lessons. For genuine 50/50 bilingual instruction, look at Winford Bilingual Primary School or the Dutch government-recognised TTO (Tweetalig Onderwijs) stream offered at several state-affiliated schools.
Do my children need Dutch to enrol in an Amsterdam international school?
No. Almost all international schools accept students with no prior Dutch and provide structured language acquisition from day one. Children typically reach functional Dutch within 12 to 18 months of arrival.
What is a Dutch International School (DIS) and is it cheaper?
DIS is a partly government-subsidised model open to expat and Dutch families alike. Tuition is significantly lower than fully private international schools, often EUR 5,500 to EUR 9,500 per year for primary, but admission is competitive and tied to Dutch residency status.