Bilingual Schools in Copenhagen: A 2026 Guide for Expat Families

Quick answer: what are the best options for bilingual schooling in Copenhagen? Danish-English schools such as Bernadotte School, Bjørn's International School and Øresunds International Skole combine both languages under the Danish framework, often for roughly DKK 2,000 to 5,000 a month. Fully international schools like North Zealand International School cost more but offer IB and Cambridge pathways.

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

Denmark has an unusual school system, and it makes bilingual schools in Copenhagen more accessible than in most European capitals. Private free schools receive a large share of their funding from the state, so a school that teaches in Danish and English can charge far less than a fully international school. For expat families, that opens a real choice: integrate into Danish life through a bilingual school, or keep a fully international pathway for an easier next move.

This guide explains how bilingual education works in the Copenhagen area, who each model suits, and looks at five schools with verified profiles on International School Advisor.

How the Danish system shapes bilingual schooling

Danish children attend ten years of compulsory education, from grade 0 (børnehaveklasse) to grade 9, usually in a single school. Most bilingual schools in Copenhagen follow this structure and stop at grade 9, after which pupils move to a Danish gymnasium, an IB school or another upper secondary option. That is a key difference from international schools, which usually continue to age 18.

Geography matters too. Hellerup and Gentofte, north of the centre, have the highest concentration of international and bilingual schools. Østerbro, Amager and Valby have smaller options, and several larger international schools sit further north in North Zealand, in Hørsholm and Birkerød. Copenhagen's cycling culture means many children ride to school from the age of 9 or 10, which changes how far a school can realistically be from home.

Bilingual and international models available

Danish-English bilingual free schools: follow the Danish curriculum with a large share of teaching in English. Fees are low because of state funding.
German-Danish and French-Danish schools: Sankt Petri Schule teaches German and Danish on an equal footing; the Lycée Français Prins Henrik serves French-speaking families.
International schools with IB or Cambridge: teach mainly in English to age 18, with Danish taught as a subject.
Public Folkeskole with reception classes: free, in Danish, with language support for newcomers.

Five schools to consider in the Copenhagen area

North Zealand International School (NIS)

NIS is in Hørsholm, about 20 minutes north of Copenhagen, and is part of NGG, one of Denmark's largest private schools. It teaches in English for learners aged 3 to 18, following the International Primary Curriculum, Cambridge International Education and the IB Diploma Programme. Its profile declares around 1,400 students and 200 teachers, a ratio of about 7 to 1, and moved into a new Gold-certified sustainable building in 2026. It is not a bilingual school in the strict sense, but being part of a large Danish school gives children daily contact with Danish peers. ISA lists a monthly cost band of USD 1,000 to 2,000.

Bernadotte School

Bernadotte School in Hellerup runs an international section called The Little House for children aged 6 to 15. The school is clear that it is Danish rather than an American or British school, and its teaching reflects Scandinavian traditions of openness and independence. It is a good fit for families who want their children to grow into Danish life while keeping English as a working language.

Bjørn's International School

Established in 1967, Bjørn's teaches about 160 students from over 50 nations, aged 6 to 16, who can be taught through English or Danish. It is a member of ECIS and a centre for IGCSE in Copenhagen. Its small size and dual-language track make it one of the most flexible options for families unsure how long they will stay.

Øresunds International Skole

Øresunds is a small, parent-run free school in Hellerup teaching from kindergarten to grade 9. It follows the Danish curriculum with many teaching hours in English, and puts the emphasis on individual teaching where each pupil learns at their own pace. Families who want close involvement in school life often appreciate the parent-run model.

Sankt Petri Schule

Sankt Petri is a German-Danish school in central Copenhagen with a 450-year history, described as the oldest German school abroad. It teaches both languages and cultures on an equal footing and has 25 reviews on ISA. It is the natural choice for German-speaking families and for children who already speak German at home.

What bilingual schooling costs in Copenhagen

Indicative fees for 2026-27:

Danish-English bilingual free schools: roughly DKK 2,000 to 5,000 a month, usually paid over 11 or 12 months.
International schools with IB or Cambridge: roughly DKK 80,000 to 200,000 or more a year, depending on the school and grade.
Public Folkeskole: free.

Extras include after-school care (SFO or a school's own club), lunch schemes, camps and trips, and an enrolment fee at some schools. The reason fees at free schools are so much lower is public funding: the state covers a large share, roughly three quarters, of what a pupil costs in the public Folkeskole. That subsidy is what makes Copenhagen one of the most affordable places in Western Europe for bilingual private education.

Practical advice for families

Think about what happens after grade 9. If you choose a Danish-English school, plan the upper secondary step early. Some families move to an IB school at 16; others choose a Danish gymnasium, which requires strong Danish.

Join waiting lists early. Popular bilingual free schools in Hellerup and Østerbro often have waiting lists, and some register children years in advance. If you are relocating, contact schools as soon as your move is confirmed.

Use municipal language support. Danish municipalities offer Danish lessons for adults and language support for children, and starting early makes a bilingual school far easier for a child who arrives with no Danish at all.

Protect the home language. In a Danish-English school your child will spend most of the day in two languages that may not be the one you speak at home. Ask whether the school offers mother-tongue classes or can point you to weekend schools, and set aside regular reading time in your own language from the first term.

Compare schools in the Copenhagen region

Our ranking of the best schools in the Capital Region of Denmark lets you compare reviews, languages and curricula across the Copenhagen area and contact several schools at once.

More guides to schools in Copenhagen

Frequently asked questions

Are there bilingual Danish-English schools in Copenhagen?

Yes. Several private schools in the Copenhagen area teach in both Danish and English, including Bernadotte School, Bjørn's International School, Øresunds International Skole and Amager's International School. Sankt Petri Schule teaches in German and Danish. Most follow the Danish framework, which makes it easier for children to move into Danish upper secondary later.

How much do bilingual schools in Copenhagen cost?

Because Danish free schools receive public funding, many bilingual schools charge modest fees, often roughly DKK 2,000 to 5,000 a month. Fully international schools with IB or Cambridge programmes cost much more, from roughly DKK 80,000 to over DKK 200,000 a year. Ask about sibling discounts and after-school care, which is billed separately.

Is school compulsory in Denmark or is it education?

Denmark has ten years of compulsory education, from grade 0 to grade 9, but the obligation is to receive education rather than to attend a particular school. Families can choose the public Folkeskole, a private free school or an international school, as long as the teaching meets the required standard.