International School Fees in Belgrade: 2026 Cost Guide for Expat Families

Quick answer: How much do international schools in Belgrade cost in 2026? International school tuition in Belgrade runs from roughly EUR 5,000 a year at smaller bilingual primaries to about EUR 22,000 for the IB Diploma at the International School of Belgrade, with most secondary places between EUR 10,000 and 18,000. Schools quote in euros but invoice in dinars at the official rate. Add an enrolment fee of EUR 500 to 3,000, transport and lunches.

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

Belgrade is one of the more affordable European capitals for international education, and the market has expanded quickly as Serbia has drawn in IT companies, Chinese and Gulf investors and a large community of relocated professionals since 2022. Getting a clear picture of international school fees in Belgrade is still harder than it should be, because schools quote in euros, invoice in Serbian dinars and vary widely in what the headline number includes. This guide lays out the 2026 costs school by school, with the extras that actually determine the annual bill.

Why fees in Belgrade are lower than in Western Europe

Serbia is a candidate for EU membership rather than a member, and although the dinar has been effectively pegged to the euro for years at roughly 117 dinars, local salaries and rents remain well below EU averages. International schools pay their Serbian staff local rates and their expatriate teachers a premium, which keeps overall costs lower than in Vienna, Budapest or Zagreb. Land in the school districts of Dedinje and Senjak is expensive, but campuses are established and depreciated.

Demand is also more diverse than a decade ago. Alongside the traditional diplomatic community, Belgrade now hosts thousands of relocated tech workers, a growing number of Chinese families linked to infrastructure and manufacturing investments, and returning Serbian diaspora families who want an English-medium education for children who may later study abroad. That mix has encouraged new entrants and kept pricing competitive.

Geography is simple. Most international schools sit in the leafy southern districts of Dedinje, Senjak and Banovo Brdo or across the Sava in New Belgrade, all within 20 to 30 minutes of the centre. Housing tends to follow, and several schools run buses to New Belgrade and Zemun.

Curricula available in Belgrade

International Baccalaureate: the full continuum at the International School of Belgrade, the oldest and largest international school in the country.
British and Cambridge: IGCSE and A Level at the British International School Belgrade and Brookhill International School.
Bilingual Serbian-English primary programmes: Prima International School and International Primary School combine international approaches with recognition under Serbian law.
Finnish-inspired early years: Educa Finnish International Kindergarten and School applies Finnish pedagogy in English for the youngest children.
Serbian state schools: free and academically strong, but taught in Serbian; realistic mainly for long-term residents with young children.

International schools in Belgrade and what they charge

International School of Belgrade

ISB was founded in 1948 to serve the diplomatic community and remains the reference international school in Serbia. It is an IB World School offering PYP, MYP and Diploma across two campuses in Senjak, is accredited by CIS and NEASC, and has a genuinely international cohort. It is also the most expensive option, with tuition roughly EUR 12,000 in early years rising to about EUR 22,000 for the Diploma years, plus a one-off capital fee.

British International School Belgrade

BISB follows the English National Curriculum through IGCSE and A Level and sits in the mid-to-upper band, roughly EUR 9,000 to 17,000 a year. It attracts a mix of expatriate and Serbian families and is the natural choice for children moving to or from British-curriculum schools elsewhere.

Brookhill International School

Brookhill offers a Cambridge pathway from early years to A Level at fees roughly EUR 7,000 to 14,000, noticeably below ISB and BISB. The school has grown quickly and has a largely Serbian and regional cohort, which suits families who want strong English-medium teaching and integration into local life.

Prima International School

Prima is a bilingual Serbian-English school with an international primary and lower-secondary programme and recognition under Serbian law, meaning students can transfer into the state system without losing years. Fees are roughly EUR 5,000 to 9,000, making it one of the most accessible options in the city.

International Primary School

A small English-medium primary in Belgrade, International Primary School offers an international programme for children up to about age eleven with small classes and a personal atmosphere. Fees are roughly EUR 5,000 to 8,000. Families typically move on to ISB, BISB or Brookhill for secondary, so ask how the transition is handled.

International school fees in Belgrade: the full 2026 picture

Indicative annual tuition by stage:

Early years (ages 3 to 5): roughly EUR 4,000 to 12,000
Primary (ages 6 to 11): roughly EUR 5,000 to 15,000
Lower secondary (ages 11 to 16): roughly EUR 8,000 to 18,000
IB Diploma or A Level: roughly EUR 12,000 to 22,000

Extras to add to the headline figure:

Application fee: EUR 100 to 500, non-refundable.
Enrolment or capital fee: a one-off EUR 500 to 3,000 per child at most schools.
Deposit: often one term of tuition, refundable with a full term of notice.
Lunches: EUR 4 to 7 a day, roughly EUR 800 to 1,400 a year.
Transport: EUR 1,200 to 2,500 a year for school buses.
Uniforms, books and technology: EUR 300 to 800 in the first year.
Exam fees: IB and Cambridge entries in the final years, roughly EUR 700 to 1,500.

Payment is normally in dinars at the National Bank of Serbia middle rate on the invoice date. Because the dinar has held close to 117 to the euro for years, exchange risk is low, but ask whether the school allows payment in euros to a foreign account, which some do for expatriate families. Sibling discounts of 10 to 25 percent from the second child are common and more generous than in most European capitals.

Practical tips for managing school costs in Belgrade

Negotiate the allowance for the school you actually want. Employer packages in Serbia often reference a generic figure that covers the mid-range schools but falls short of ISB in the Diploma years. Ask for the allowance to be tied to the published fee schedule of your chosen school.

Use the bilingual schools for young children. For families staying several years, a bilingual primary at EUR 5,000 to 9,000 followed by a move to an IB or Cambridge secondary saves tens of thousands of euros and gives children functional Serbian.

Ask about the payment schedule. Most Belgrade schools offer termly or monthly instalments at little or no premium, which eases cash flow, and several give a discount of 3 to 5 percent for paying the full year upfront.

Compare international schools in Belgrade and across Serbia

Fee schedules in Belgrade are revised each spring and new schools keep entering the market. Compare verified profiles, parent reviews and current fee bands in our ranking of the best international schools in Serbia.

More guides to schools in Belgrade

Frequently asked questions

What is the most expensive international school in Belgrade?

The International School of Belgrade is the most expensive, with tuition of roughly EUR 12,000 in early years rising to about EUR 22,000 for the IB Diploma, plus a one-off capital fee. It is also the oldest and the only school in Serbia offering the full IB continuum.

Do international schools in Belgrade charge in euros or dinars?

Schools publish fees in euros but, under Serbian law, invoice in dinars at the National Bank of Serbia middle rate on the invoice date. Because the dinar has been stable at roughly 117 to the euro for years, the exchange risk is small. Some schools accept euro payments from abroad for expatriate families.

Are there affordable international schools in Belgrade?

Yes. Bilingual Serbian-English schools such as Prima International School and International Primary School charge roughly EUR 5,000 to 9,000 a year, and Brookhill International School offers a full Cambridge pathway from roughly EUR 7,000. Serbian state schools are free but teach in Serbian.