For internationally minded parents, bilingual schools in Amsterdam offer a way to raise children fluent in both English and Dutch while keeping doors open to universities worldwide. The Netherlands has a long, well-organised tradition of bilingual education, and Amsterdam adds a dense layer of international schools on top of it. This 2026 guide explains the main bilingual routes, how the teaching methodology works, which schools to look at, and what fees to expect.
Why choose a bilingual school in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is one of Europe's most international cities, and many families want their children to integrate locally through Dutch while retaining English for global mobility. Research consistently links well-structured bilingual education to stronger cognitive flexibility and easier acquisition of further languages. For expat families planning to stay several years, a bilingual route can give the best of both worlds: local roots and an international ceiling.
The main bilingual routes
In and around Amsterdam you will encounter several distinct models:
- Tweetalig onderwijs (TTO): the Dutch bilingual stream, where a substantial share of subjects is taught in English within the Dutch system. TTO schools follow a recognised national framework and often work toward an international certificate alongside the Dutch diploma.
- International schools: English-medium schools teaching the IB or British curriculum, many of which offer Dutch as an additional language so children still build local fluency.
- Dual-language primary settings: early-years and primary programmes that develop English and Dutch side by side before a child specialises.
How the bilingual methodology works
Good bilingual programmes do more than translate lessons. They use immersion in the target language for whole subjects, scaffold new vocabulary in context, and keep both languages active across the week rather than siloing them. The strongest schools track each language separately, support children who arrive with little Dutch or English, and offer a credible exit qualification, whether that is the IB Diploma, A-Levels, or a Dutch diploma with a bilingual endorsement.
Choosing the right fit
Ask each school how the two languages are balanced by year group, how children new to Dutch or English are supported, class sizes, and what the final qualification looks like. If you may relocate again, weigh how transferable the credential is. If you intend to settle, a stronger Dutch component will help your child integrate socially and academically.
A featured Amsterdam school
The British School of Amsterdam
An established English-medium school following the British curriculum, with Dutch language provision that helps internationally mobile children build local fluency alongside a globally recognised pathway. Review the curriculum, language support and parent reviews on the The British School of Amsterdam profile.
Fees and budgeting
Costs vary widely by route. Dutch TTO streams within publicly funded schools typically charge a modest annual supplement for the bilingual programme, often in the low thousands of euros, while private international schools in Amsterdam commonly range from around EUR 15,000 to EUR 25,000 per year, rising in the senior and Diploma years. Always confirm tuition, the bilingual supplement, registration fees and any deposit directly with the school.
Practical tips for international families
Apply early, as bilingual streams and popular international schools fill quickly. Visit if you can, and ask to see how a typical day moves between English and Dutch. Consider commute and neighbourhood, since Amsterdam's cycling culture means location strongly shapes the school run. Finally, give your child time: bilingual fluency builds over years, not months, and the right school will reassure you about the pace.
Compare schools across the Netherlands
For a regularly updated ranking with reviews and fee guidance, see the best international schools in the Netherlands on ischooladvisor.com.
Frequently asked questions
What is TTO bilingual education in Amsterdam?
TTO (tweetalig onderwijs) is the Dutch bilingual stream in which a large share of subjects is taught in English within the national system, usually leading to a Dutch diploma alongside an international certificate.
Do international schools in Amsterdam teach Dutch?
Many do. English-medium international schools commonly offer Dutch as an additional language so that internationally mobile children still build local fluency while following the IB or British curriculum.
How much do bilingual schools in Amsterdam cost?
Dutch TTO streams often charge a modest annual supplement in the low thousands of euros, while private international schools typically range from about EUR 15,000 to EUR 25,000 per year, plus registration and deposit fees.