If you are weighing a move to the Netherlands, the cost of an international school in Amsterdam is one of the larger relocation line items to plan for in 2026. Tuition can range from less than EUR 6,500 a year at Dutch International Primary Schools (DIPS) to over EUR 30,000 at the top private IB and British campuses. Throw in registration fees, lunch, transport and after-school activities, and the gap between two schools that look similar from the outside can easily exceed EUR 15,000 a year. This breakdown explains where the money goes and how to plan a realistic family budget.
Two parallel systems: subsidised vs. fully private
Amsterdam is unusual because the Dutch government partly subsidises international tracks attached to public schools. Families generally choose between:
- Subsidised international schools (DIPS / IBO under the Dutch International Education foundation) — Lower fees but eligibility rules apply (one of the parents typically must be on a temporary work assignment in the Netherlands).
- Fully private international schools — Open to any family, full tuition, often boutique class sizes and broader extracurricular offerings.
Tuition fees in Amsterdam (2026)
- Subsidised DIPS (primary): EUR 5,500 to 8,500 per year.
- Subsidised secondary IB: EUR 7,000 to 11,500 per year.
- Mid-tier private primary: EUR 13,000 to 20,000 per year.
- Premium private IB / British primary: EUR 21,000 to 26,000 per year.
- Premium IB Diploma (Years 12 to 13): EUR 27,000 to 32,000 per year.
One-time and ancillary fees
- Application fee: EUR 200 to 500 (private schools).
- Enrolment / registration fee: EUR 1,000 to 4,500 one-time.
- Capital or building levy: EUR 1,500 to 3,500 one-time at some private schools.
- Refundable deposit: One term's tuition is common at premium schools.
- School lunch: EUR 800 to 1,200 per year if hot lunch is provided.
- Bus transport: EUR 1,800 to 3,200 per year depending on distance.
- Uniform and supplies: EUR 250 to 700 per year.
- After-school clubs and music: EUR 600 to 2,000 per year if you opt in heavily.
Featured Amsterdam international schools
The British School of Amsterdam
British curriculum from age 3 to 18 in two campuses near the Vondelpark. Among the largest established British schools in the country. View The British School of Amsterdam profile on ISA.
The International School of Amsterdam
An IB World School covering PYP, MYP and DP across a single campus in Amstelveen, with strong arts and athletics programmes. See the International School of Amsterdam profile on ISA.
Amsterdam International Community School
Subsidised IB primary and secondary serving the central and southern districts of the city. Read the AICS profile on ISA.
International French School of Amsterdam
Bilingual French-English with a French baccalaureate pathway, popular among Francophone families on assignment. Open the IFSA profile on ISA.
Optimist International School
Boutique IB primary in Hilversum, useful for families settling outside the Amsterdam ring road. Check the Optimist International School profile on ISA.
What drives the gap between schools?
Three factors explain most of the variance in Amsterdam international school fees:
- Subsidy status: Dutch DIPS funding can cut tuition by 60% for eligible families.
- Curriculum prestige: Premium British and IB campuses charge a brand premium of EUR 5,000 to 10,000 a year.
- Class size and facilities: Schools with maximum 18 children per class and full-time specialist staff price near the top of the band.
Tax and employer reimbursement
If you are on the Dutch 30% ruling, school fees for primary and secondary education are not directly tax-deductible, but employers can reimburse them tax-free as part of an extraterritorial expense package. Negotiate this in writing before signing your offer because retroactive changes are difficult.
Compare Amsterdam school fees on ISA
To shortlist schools side by side, see the Top international schools in the Netherlands ranking on ISA, with fee bands, programmes and reviews.
FAQs
Are subsidised international schools really cheaper?
Yes. Amsterdam DIPS schools charge EUR 5,500 to 11,500 per year, roughly a quarter of premium private fees, but eligibility usually requires a temporary work assignment.
Do international schools in Amsterdam charge a building or capital fee?
Premium private schools often charge a one-time EUR 1,500 to 3,500 building levy, plus a refundable deposit. Subsidised DIPS schools generally do not.
Can my employer reimburse school fees tax-free in the Netherlands?
Yes, employers can reimburse international school fees tax-free as part of an extraterritorial expense package, but it must be documented in your employment contract.