The Hague (Den Haag) hosts more international institutions per capita than almost any city in Europe — the International Court of Justice, Europol, OPCW and more than 100 embassies all sit within a few square kilometres of the city centre. The result is a uniquely strong bilingual and multilingual school sector, including state-subsidised European schools, French and German lycées, and Dutch-English bilingual programmes that are among the best in Europe.
If you are relocating to The Hague in 2026 and want your child to grow up genuinely bilingual rather than just internationally schooled, this guide is for you. We cover the bilingual programmes available, the leading schools, fees and admissions tips for diplomatic and expat families.
Bilingual options in The Hague
Bilingual schooling in The Hague comes in three flavours, each with different language goals and price points:
- Dutch-English bilingual primary (TPO programmes) — Dutch state-subsidised schools that teach 30% to 50% of the curriculum in English, leading to Dutch and English fluency by Year 6.
- European Schools and other state-subsidised international streams — children study in their mother-tongue language section while learning a second EU language as a school subject.
- National lycées (French, German) — fully follow the home-country curriculum but offer Dutch and English as additional languages.
The right choice depends on whether you want your child to leave The Hague with strong Dutch (TPO route), a recognised national diploma (lycées), or a Europe-wide multilingual baseline (European School).
Top bilingual international schools in The Hague
European School The Hague
The European School The Hague (ESH) is part of the official network of Schools of European Schooling. It teaches the curriculum in eight language sections (English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese) and leads to the European Baccalaureate, recognised by every EU university. Fees are heavily subsidised for children of EU institution staff and reduced for other families.
International School Wassenaar
International School Wassenaar sits in the leafy suburb of Wassenaar (12 minutes from the city centre) and offers a Dutch-international stream subsidised by the state. Around 70% of teaching is in English, with strong daily Dutch language support, making it one of the most affordable real-bilingual options for families staying long term.
HSV International Primary School
HSV International Primary School is the largest international primary school in The Hague, with three campuses across the city. The Dutch-English bilingual stream blends IPC (International Primary Curriculum) with daily Dutch lessons from Year 1, and the school feeds directly into the international secondary streams in The Hague.
German International School of The Hague
The German International School of The Hague (DISDH) follows the German national curriculum (Grundschule and Gymnasium) leading to the Abitur, with daily English and Dutch as additional languages. It is the natural choice for German-speaking families wanting both German continuity and exposure to Dutch and English.
Lycée Français Vincent van Gogh
Lycée Français Vincent van Gogh teaches the full French national curriculum from maternelle through to the French Baccalaureate, with Dutch and English embedded as additional languages from Year 1. The school is part of the AEFE network of French schools abroad and is the standard choice for francophone diplomatic families.
Bilingual methodology — what to ask schools
Not all bilingual programmes are created equal. Before signing, ask each school:
- What percentage of the school day is in each language, and how does that change by year group?
- Is the second language taught as a subject only, or is content taught through the language (CLIL)?
- What is the qualification of teachers in the second language — native speakers, certified teachers or assistants?
- What language fluency is expected at end of primary, and how is it measured (CEFR levels, internal benchmarks)?
- What support is in place for children who arrive without prior knowledge of one of the languages?
The strongest bilingual programmes — ESH, IS Wassenaar and the lycées — keep both languages running through the entire school day rather than treating one as dominant.
Fees and total cost
Bilingual schools in The Hague span the widest fee range of any major European capital:
- European School The Hague: subsidised for EU staff, around €6,500 to €15,000 for non-EU families depending on category.
- HSV bilingual primary stream: €5,500 to €7,500 per year, plus around €750 in extras.
- International School Wassenaar: €7,000 to €9,500 per year for the subsidised Dutch-international stream.
- German International School: €8,000 to €13,500 per year, with sliding scales by family income for German nationals.
- Lycée Français Vincent van Gogh: €5,500 to €11,000 per year, with reductions for AEFE-network families.
Where to live
The diplomatic family belt runs through Benoordenhout, Statenkwartier and Wassenaar. These neighbourhoods sit close to most international schools, have strong public transport links to the city centre and a long expat community.
If your priority is access to ESH, look at Voorburg and the Bezuidenhout neighbourhood, both of which have excellent connections by tram and bus.
Practical admissions tips
- Apply 6 to 12 months ahead of your start date. The European School and the lycées prioritise EU and home-country families respectively, so register your interest early to secure a place.
- For Dutch-subsidised schools (HSV, IS Wassenaar, ESH), prepare proof of expat status, employment contract and rental contract in The Hague.
- Visit at least two schools in person — campuses vary enormously in size and atmosphere.
- If your child does not yet speak Dutch, choose a programme with structured second-language support (HSV, IS Wassenaar). Fully bilingual immersion without support can be tough for children arriving above Year 3.
Compare all international schools in the Netherlands
For the full ranking of international schools in the Netherlands, see our Best International Schools in the Netherlands 2026 ranking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best bilingual school in The Hague?
The European School The Hague is the most established multilingual school in the city, offering eight language sections leading to the European Baccalaureate. International School Wassenaar and HSV are strong Dutch-English bilingual options for families wanting their children to learn Dutch alongside English.
How much do bilingual schools in The Hague cost in 2026?
Subsidised Dutch-English bilingual schools (HSV, IS Wassenaar) charge around €5,500 to €9,500 per year. The European School and the French and German lycées sit in the €5,500 to €15,000 range depending on family category and home country.
Will my child learn Dutch at a bilingual school in The Hague?
Yes, in the Dutch-English bilingual streams (HSV, IS Wassenaar) Dutch is taught daily from Year 1 and most children reach functional fluency by Year 6. The European School and the national lycées teach Dutch as a subject but use other primary languages for daily instruction.