For expat families relocating to Berlin in 2026, bilingual education is one of the city's defining strengths. Berlin has built one of Europe's most diverse bilingual school landscapes — combining state-recognised dual-language Grundschulen and Gymnasien with a tier of independent international and IB schools that genuinely deliver instruction in two languages. This guide explains how the bilingual models differ, which schools matter, and what fees to budget for.
What Bilingual Really Means in Berlin
Bilingual schools in Berlin are not all the same. Three programme models dominate:
- Staatliche Europa-Schulen (SESB) — state-funded, partner-language model where roughly 50 percent of instruction is in German and 50 percent in the partner language (English is one of nine partner-language options). Free tuition.
- Independent bilingual schools — private schools (Phorms, Berlin Bilingual School, Platanus, charity-status models) running their own bilingual immersion. Fees apply.
- International IB schools with German integration — schools such as BBIS Berlin Brandenburg International School offer the IB Continuum with German as a strong B language.
The right choice depends on your length of stay, your child's age at arrival, and whether you want a German-system path or a portable international credential.
Leading Bilingual Schools in Berlin
Berlin Brandenburg International School (BBIS)
The flagship IB Continuum school of Berlin, offering PYP through to the IB Diploma with German as a strong B language. Suitable for transient families who want internationally portable credentials. View BBIS on ISA.
Berlin British School
An English National Curriculum school in Berlin (IGCSE and A Levels) with German taught as a second language across the school. View Berlin British School on ISA.
Phorms Bilingual School Berlin Mitte
One of Germany's largest bilingual school networks, with a 50/50 immersion model from kindergarten upwards and pathways into both the Abitur and the IB Diploma. View Phorms Berlin Mitte on ISA.
Platanus School Berlin
A bilingual primary and secondary school with a strong arts and sciences profile and a German-system curriculum delivered in two languages. View Platanus School Berlin on ISA.
Berlin Bilingual School
A community-founded school in Friedrichshain with an English-German immersion model from Grade 1 upwards and a clear progression path. View Berlin Bilingual School on ISA.
Berlin International School
A bilingual English-German school with the IB Diploma in Sixth Form, popular with families balancing German integration and international mobility. View Berlin International School on ISA.
How Much Do Bilingual Schools in Berlin Cost?
Fee structures vary significantly across the three models:
- SESB state Europa-Schulen — no tuition (school transport and lunch only).
- Independent bilingual schools — typically EUR 6,000 – EUR 18,000 per year for primary, rising to EUR 10,000 – EUR 22,000 in Sixth Form.
- International IB schools (BBIS-style) — EUR 18,000 – EUR 28,000 per year, often higher in the Diploma years.
Plan additionally for registration (EUR 250 – EUR 1,000), an enrolment deposit, bus transport (EUR 1,500 – EUR 3,000 per year), exam fees and German integration courses where required.
Which Bilingual Model Is Right for Your Child?
Staying long-term in Germany? The SESB system or a German-system bilingual school maximises Abitur portability and integration. Free tuition is a major plus.
Short or mobile assignment? An IB Continuum school keeps your child's credentials internationally portable.
Older arrivals (Class 7+)? Switching into a German-system bilingual school becomes harder. The IB or English National Curriculum is usually the smoother on-ramp.
Admissions Calendar and Tips
SESB schools allocate places via the Bezirk (district authority) — applications typically open in the autumn for the following August. Independent schools accept rolling applications but the most popular years (Class 1, Class 5 and Class 7 transitions) fill up by spring. Plan for an assessment day, parent interview and (in older years) subject-level testing.
Start Your Shortlist
To explore international and bilingual schools across Berlin and Germany with reviews, fees and contact details, visit ISA's international school directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there free bilingual schools in Berlin?
Yes. The Staatliche Europa-Schule Berlin (SESB) network offers state-funded German-English bilingual education. Places are allocated by district and demand often exceeds supply.
Can my child join a bilingual school without German?
It depends on the entry year. Independent international schools (BBIS, Berlin British, Berlin International) admit children with little or no German, providing in-school German integration. Most state and German-system bilingual schools expect a baseline of German from Class 3 onwards.
What credential will my child leave with?
Bilingual schools in Berlin typically lead to one of three: the German Abitur, the International Baccalaureate Diploma or a British IGCSE-plus-A Level pathway.