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

Quick answer: How much do international schools in Warsaw cost? Most international schools in Warsaw charge roughly PLN 40,000 to 95,000 a year for nursery and primary, rising to roughly PLN 75,000 to 140,000 for secondary and IB Diploma. Add one-off enrolment fees of roughly PLN 5,000 to 30,000, plus transport and meals.

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

Warsaw has one of the most developed international school markets in Central Europe, and prices have risen steadily as the city has drawn more regional headquarters, tech firms and diplomatic staff. This guide to international school fees in Warsaw sets out what families typically pay by stage, which one-off charges catch people out and how to build a realistic annual budget for one child.

We cover five schools that relocating families most often shortlist, from smaller British and trilingual schools to the large American campus in Konstancin. Figures are given in Polish zloty, although a few schools still publish fees in euros, so check which currency your contract uses before you compare.

Why Warsaw, and where families live

Warsaw is a spread-out city split by the Vistula. Most expatriate families settle on the left bank, in Mokotów, Wilanów, Ursynów and the leafy edges of Żoliborz, or further south in Konstancin-Jeziorna, where several large villas and gated estates sit close to the American School. Śródmieście suits couples and families with older children who want to walk to the metro.

Commute times matter more than the map suggests. A drive from Żoliborz to Konstancin can take 50 minutes or more at rush hour, while Wilanów to Mokotów is often under 20. Line M1 of the metro runs north to south along the left bank and helps with secondary pupils who travel alone. Many families choose the school first and then rent within 15 to 25 minutes of it.

Curricula available in Warsaw

English National Curriculum: early years through IGCSE and A level or the IB Diploma, the most common route for British and Commonwealth families.
American curriculum: US standards with Advanced Placement or IB in the final years, popular with North American and corporate families.
International Baccalaureate: PYP, MYP and Diploma programmes offered in full or in part by several schools, useful for families who may move again.
Canadian and North American frameworks: provincial curricula adapted for an international intake, with English as the language of teaching.
Multilingual programmes: English, Polish and a third language taught side by side from the early years, a good fit for families planning to stay longer.

International schools in Warsaw and what they cost

Thames British School Warsaw

Thames British School Warsaw follows the English National Curriculum and is typically priced below the largest campuses, which makes it a sensible option for families who want a British education without the top-tier bill. Classes are usually smaller, and the school suits children arriving from the UK who need continuity in phonics, maths and assessment. Ask how secondary pathways are organised and which exam boards are used.

International Trilingual School of Warsaw

The International Trilingual School of Warsaw builds its timetable around English, Polish and a third language from the early years. It suits mixed Polish and international families, and expatriates who expect to stay several years and want their children to become properly fluent in Polish. Fees typically sit in the middle of the market, which is good value given the language hours included.

American School of Warsaw

The American School of Warsaw occupies a large purpose-built campus in Konstancin, south of the city, and offers an American programme with the IB Diploma at the top. It is the most expensive school on this list, with high school fees typically at the upper end of the PLN 75,000 to 140,000 band. Facilities, sport and the breadth of activities are the main reasons families pay the premium.

The British School Warsaw

The British School Warsaw is one of the city's established British schools, running from early years to the IB Diploma after IGCSE. It attracts diplomatic and corporate families from many countries, and fees for the senior years typically approach those of the American School. Families who value a structured British approach with an international sixth form often shortlist it alongside Thames.

The Canadian School of Warsaw

The Canadian School of Warsaw is a smaller school with a North American approach and English as the language of teaching. It tends to suit younger children and families who prefer a close community, and its fees are typically below the larger campuses. Ask how far the school runs and where pupils usually go next.

Warsaw international school fees by stage

Annual tuition in Warsaw typically follows three bands. Nursery and reception places cost roughly PLN 40,000 to 70,000 a year. Primary years usually run from roughly PLN 55,000 to 95,000. Secondary and the IB Diploma range from roughly PLN 75,000 at smaller schools to PLN 140,000 or more at the largest campuses.

Price is driven by campus size, the proportion of native English speaking teachers on international contracts, class size and the cost of accreditation. Schools that quote in euros can also move with the exchange rate, so a fee that looked fixed in spring may cost more in zloty by autumn.

Two official points help your budget. Since 1 January 2024, Poland's universal child benefit, known as 800 plus, has paid PLN 800 per child per month, up from PLN 500, and eligibility depends on residence and work status rather than the school you choose. Private education services are also VAT-exempt in Poland under the EU VAT Directive, so tuition is not inflated by 23% VAT, although some extras may be.

Expect these extras on top of tuition:

Application fee: roughly PLN 500 to 2,000, usually non-refundable.
Enrolment or capital levy: roughly PLN 5,000 to 30,000, sometimes charged once and sometimes per year.
Transport: school buses typically cost PLN 6,000 to 12,000 a year, depending on distance.
Meals: roughly PLN 4,000 to 8,000 a year for daily lunch.
Uniforms and equipment: PLN 1,000 to 3,000 in the first year, including a laptop policy at some schools.
Exams and trips: IGCSE and IB entries plus residential trips can add PLN 3,000 to 8,000 in exam years.

As a worked example, a Year 4 child at a mid-priced British school might cost roughly PLN 72,000 in tuition, PLN 6,000 for lunch, PLN 8,000 for the bus and PLN 2,000 for uniform and trips. That is about PLN 88,000 for the year, plus any first-year enrolment fee.

Practical tips for managing the cost

Read the employer package closely. Many relocation packages cover tuition but not the capital levy, transport or meals. Ask HR for written confirmation of what is paid directly to the school and what you must claim back.

Ask about sibling and early payment discounts. Discounts of 5 to 15% for a second or third child are common, and some schools reduce the bill if you pay the full year upfront. Confirm whether discounts apply to tuition only or to the levy too.

Check refund rules before you sign. Postings change at short notice. Find out how much notice is required to withdraw, and whether the enrolment fee or a term's tuition is lost if you leave mid-year.

Compare schools across the Warsaw region

Fees are only one part of the picture. To compare curricula, results and family reviews side by side, see our ranking of the Best international schools in Masovia (Warsaw region) and use it to build a shortlist before you book visits.

More guides to schools in Warsaw

Frequently asked questions

How much do international schools in Warsaw cost per year?

Tuition at international schools in Warsaw typically ranges from roughly PLN 40,000 a year for nursery to PLN 140,000 or more for the IB Diploma at the largest campuses. Primary usually sits between PLN 55,000 and 95,000. Budget separately for enrolment fees, transport, meals, uniforms and exam entries, which can add 15 to 25% to the bill.

Do international schools in Warsaw charge VAT on tuition?

No. Private education services are VAT-exempt in Poland under the EU VAT Directive, so tuition fees are not subject to the standard 23% rate. Some extras, such as certain activities, transport or merchandise, may be treated differently, so ask each school for an itemised invoice that shows which charges include VAT before you sign the contract.

Can expat families in Warsaw get child benefit to help with school fees?

Poland's universal 800 plus benefit pays PLN 800 per child per month, which is PLN 9,600 a year. Eligibility depends on residence and employment status in Poland rather than on the school, and many foreign families working in Poland qualify. Apply through the ZUS online system and check your own situation with an adviser.