Bilingual Schools in Bucharest: A 2026 Guide for Expat Families

Quick answer: Are there bilingual schools in Bucharest? Yes, though most are English-medium, German-medium or French-medium schools with Romanian taught as a subject rather than true 50/50 programmes. Annual tuition typically runs from roughly EUR 6,000 at the French and German schools to EUR 20,000 or more in upper secondary at British and IB schools.

Last reviewed: October 2026 by David from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Families searching for bilingual schools in Bucharest usually want one of two things. Some want their children to keep a home language such as German or French while picking up English. Others want an English education with enough Romanian to feel at home in the city. The Romanian capital can deliver both, but the word "bilingual" is used loosely in brochures, so it pays to ask exactly how the timetable is split.

This guide explains what bilingual teaching looks like in Bucharest, how to judge language outcomes, and which of four well-known schools fits which language goal. Costs are given in euros, the currency most schools quote, although invoices can usually be settled in lei.

Why Bucharest, and where families live

Bucharest has grown into one of Central and Eastern Europe's busier expat hubs, driven by IT, banking, energy and the diplomatic community. The international school scene is concentrated in the north of the city, which shapes where most families rent.

The streets around Herăstrău Park, Primăverii, Floreasca and Dorobanți are popular with diplomats and senior executives, with older villas and newer apartment blocks. Further out, Pipera, Băneasa and the town of Voluntari offer gated compounds with gardens, and Corbeanca and Tunari attract families who want a house and are happy to drive.

Commutes are the main frustration. The Pipera corridor and the DN1 road towards the airport jam badly between 7.30 and 9.00, and a 6 km school run can take 40 minutes. Metro line M2 reaches Pipera, which helps parents working in the office parks, and most schools run their own buses. Our advice is simple: choose the school first, then rent within 15 to 20 minutes of it.

What "bilingual" actually means here

Very few schools in Bucharest split teaching evenly between two languages. In practice you will meet four models, and the difference matters for what your child ends up able to do.

English-medium with Romanian lessons: almost everything is taught in English, with Romanian language and culture a few periods a week. Good for mobile families; children rarely become fully literate in Romanian.
Home-language national schools: German or French schools follow their own national curriculum, taught mainly in that language, with English as a strong second language and Romanian added. Ideal for keeping a European language at native level.
Two-language programmes: some schools teach selected subjects in Romanian, or offer a Romanian national track alongside an international one, so pupils can sit Romanian exams. This is the closest to true bilingual education.
Trilingual pathways: in the French and German schools in particular, a child can realistically leave fluent in the school language, confident in English and functional in Romanian.

To judge outcomes, ask three questions. How many hours a week are taught in each language at your child's age? Which external exams are sat in each language? And what support exists for a newcomer who arrives with neither?

The schools

Avenor College

Avenor College is a British-curriculum school in the north of the city, with a large Romanian intake alongside international families. Teaching is in English, leading towards IGCSE and A level, with Romanian language taught seriously rather than as a token. It suits Romanian-returnee families and expats who plan to stay several years and want their children to mix with local classmates. Ask how Romanian lessons are set by level, since native speakers and beginners need very different groups.

Hermann Oberth International German School

Hermann Oberth International German School is the choice for German-speaking families, or for those who want a child to build German from an early age. German is the main language of instruction, English is taught intensively, and Romanian is part of the timetable. The school sits in the Voluntari and Pipera area, convenient for the northern compounds. Children arriving with no German are usually accepted in the youngest classes; older entrants should ask about catch-up support before applying.

Lycée Français Anna de Noailles

Lycée Français Anna de Noailles follows the French national programme, taught in French, with English from the early years and Romanian included. It is part of the worldwide French school network, which makes moves between countries smooth for French families and for those heading to France or Belgium for university. Fees are usually lower than the British and IB schools, which makes it attractive to Romanian francophone families too. Non-French speakers do best when they join in maternelle or early primary.

SEK Bucharest International School

SEK Bucharest International School belongs to the Spanish SEK education group and follows the International Baccalaureate framework, taught mainly in English. A further language, often Spanish or Romanian, runs alongside. It suits globally mobile families who want IB continuity and a smaller school feel. Treat it as English-medium with good language options rather than a true bilingual school, and ask which languages are offered at Diploma level.

Fees in Bucharest

Most schools publish fees in euros, and many accept payment in lei at the day's exchange rate. As a rough guide, the French and German schools typically charge about EUR 6,000 to 12,000 a year, reflecting support from their home governments. British and IB schools usually run from roughly EUR 9,000 in the early years to EUR 20,000 or more in upper secondary, with exam years at the top of the range.

Budget for extras on top of tuition:

Application or assessment fee, often EUR 150 to 500, non-refundable.
One-off enrolment or development fee, roughly EUR 1,000 to 3,000 at some schools.
School bus, typically EUR 1,500 to 3,000 a year depending on distance.
Lunches, around EUR 900 to 1,500 a year.
Uniforms, sports kit and books, often EUR 300 to 700.
Exam entries for IGCSE, A level, IB or French and German leaving exams.
Residential trips and after-school clubs, charged separately.

One practical point for families who travel: Romania became a full member of the Schengen area on 1 January 2025, when internal land border checks were lifted, after air and sea border checks had already ended on 31 March 2024. Weekend drives to Hungary or Bulgaria and school trips across the region are now far simpler.

Practical tips for choosing a bilingual school

Match the language to the next move. If you expect to return to Germany or France, the national schools keep your child on track for the Abitur or baccalauréat. If the next posting is unknown, an English-medium British or IB school is the safer bet.

Ask to see language support in action. Sit in on an English or German support lesson during your visit. Look at class sizes, whether newcomers are withdrawn or supported in class, and how progress is tracked each term.

Do not neglect Romanian. Even a year or two of good Romanian lessons makes daily life easier, from friendships to football clubs. Ask whether the school groups learners by level, and whether there is a native-speaker track.

Compare the full ranking

Bilingual teaching is only one part of the decision. To compare curricula, fees and parent reviews across the city, see our ranking of the Best international schools in Bucharest and build a shortlist before you book visits.

More guides to schools in Bucharest

Frequently asked questions

Are there truly bilingual schools in Bucharest?

Only a few schools split teaching evenly between two languages. Most are English-medium, German-medium or French-medium schools that add Romanian and a further language. The French and German schools come closest to producing trilingual pupils. Ask each school how many hours a week are taught in each language at your child's age before you decide.

How much do bilingual and international schools in Bucharest cost?

French and German schools typically charge roughly EUR 6,000 to 12,000 a year. British and IB schools usually range from about EUR 9,000 in the early years to EUR 20,000 or more in upper secondary. Add application fees, enrolment fees, buses, lunches and exam entries, which can add EUR 3,000 to 6,000 a year.

Can my child join a German or French school without speaking the language?

Usually yes in the youngest classes, where children absorb a new language quickly through play and daily routine. Older children are often expected to have some prior knowledge, and some schools set a language assessment. If your child is over eight and a beginner, ask about intensive support classes and how long newcomers typically take to follow lessons.