Quick answer: How much are international school fees in Luxembourg in 2026? Private international schools in Luxembourg charge roughly 13,000 to 21,000 euros a year at St. George’s and 17,000 to 26,000 euros at the International School of Luxembourg, plus capital fees of 3,000 to 8,000 euros. Public international schools such as Lycée Michel Lucius are free, and European School Category III fees are about 4,000 to 8,000 euros.
Last reviewed: September 2026 by Emma from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.
International school fees in Luxembourg are unusual because the most important number for many families is zero. The Grand Duchy runs a network of free public international and European schools alongside a small group of private international schools charging 15,000 to 25,000 euros a year, and knowing which route you qualify for can be worth more than any fee negotiation. This guide explains what the private schools charge in 2026, who gets free access to the public international schools and the European School, what extras appear on invoices, and how to work out your real annual cost.
Why Luxembourg's school market works differently
Almost half of Luxembourg's residents are foreign nationals, and the country's public system is trilingual, teaching in Luxembourgish, German and French. That is a serious barrier for children arriving at 10 or 14 without any of the three languages, and successive governments have responded by opening public international schools that teach in English, French or German sections free of charge. Since 2016 the state has opened such schools in Differdange, Esch, Mondorf, Clervaux, Junglinster and the capital, and demand still exceeds places in some sections.
The result is a three tier market: free public international schools with waiting lists, the European School for children of EU institution staff and a limited number of other pupils, and private international schools that charge full fees but offer immediate places, smaller classes and specific curricula such as the IB or the English National Curriculum.
School types and curricula in Luxembourg
- Private international (IB and British): the International School of Luxembourg and St. George's International School, both fee paying.
- Public international schools: free, following the European Baccalaureate programme in English, French or German sections, such as Lycée Michel Lucius in the capital.
- European Schools: free for Category I pupils whose parents work for EU institutions; other families pay fees set by the European Schools system.
- Alternative pedagogies: the Waldorf school and smaller English medium schools such as Over the Rainbow for early years and primary.
- Public Luxembourgish schools: free and trilingual, realistic for children arriving before about age 7.
International schools in Luxembourg and what they charge
International School of Luxembourg
ISL in Merl is the country's largest private international school and an IB continuum school from age 3 to 18. Fees for 2026 run from roughly 17,000 euros in early years to about 26,000 euros in the Diploma years, plus a one off capital fee and an annual development levy. It has the most international intake in the country and is the default choice for families whose employer covers tuition.
St. George's International School Luxembourg
The British curriculum option in Hamm, following the English National Curriculum to IGCSE and A Level. Fees are roughly 13,000 to 21,000 euros a year, with a registration fee on entry. It draws British and Irish families and many others who want a portable British qualification at a lower price than the IB school.
Lycée Michel Lucius International School
A public international school in Limpertsberg teaching an English medium programme leading to IGCSE and A Levels, free of charge. Places are allocated by the Ministry of Education and waiting lists exist in several year groups. For families settling in Luxembourg long term, securing a place here removes school fees from the budget entirely.
European School Luxembourg
The two European School campuses in Kirchberg and Mamer teach the European Baccalaureate in multiple language sections. Children of EU institution staff attend free; other pupils, where places exist, pay Category III fees set centrally, roughly 4,000 to 8,000 euros a year, well below private school prices.
Waldorf School Luxembourg
A Steiner Waldorf school in Limpertsberg with a multilingual approach and fees that are income adjusted, typically between 5,000 and 10,000 euros a year. It appeals to families who want a non selective, arts rich education and are less concerned with English medium examinations.
International school fees in Luxembourg: the full budget for 2026
At the private schools, expect these charges beyond tuition:
- Application fee: 250 to 600 euros, non refundable.
- Capital or registration fee: 3,000 to 8,000 euros, paid once per child on entry.
- Annual development or building levy: around 1,000 to 2,000 euros at the IB school.
- Deposit: one term's fees at some schools, refundable with a term's notice.
- Lunch: 1,200 to 1,800 euros a year.
- Transport: public transport in Luxembourg has been free nationwide since March 2020, so many secondary students travel at no cost; private school buses cost 2,000 to 3,500 euros a year.
- Examinations: IGCSE and A Level entries add 800 to 1,500 euros in the relevant years; IB Diploma fees roughly 1,000 to 1,500 euros.
A realistic all in figure for a primary child at ISL in the first year is 22,000 to 27,000 euros, and for a Diploma student 30,000 to 34,000 euros including levies, lunch and examinations. At St. George's the equivalent figures are roughly 17,000 to 21,000 euros and 24,000 to 27,000 euros.
The number that matters most for long term residents: the public international schools are entirely free, including for non EU nationals resident in Luxembourg, and public transport has been free for everyone since 2020. A family that secures places at Lycée Michel Lucius for two children therefore saves 40,000 to 50,000 euros a year compared with the private IB route, which is why these schools have waiting lists and why applying to the Ministry's international school service in the spring before your move is worth the effort.
Practical advice for families budgeting in Luxembourg
Apply for a free place and a private place at the same time. Public international school allocations are announced late and are not guaranteed. Holding a private offer costs an application fee and possibly a deposit, but protects you if the public place does not come through.
Read the employer policy on capital fees. Many Luxembourg packages cover tuition but not the one off capital fee or the annual levy, which together can exceed 8,000 euros in the first year at the IB school.
Ask about the transition to the public system. If you plan to stay beyond one posting, ask each private school how children move into the public international schools or European School later, and what language support they provide to make that possible.
See how Luxembourg schools rank
To compare the private and public options above on results, facilities and parent reviews, browse our independent ranking of the best schools in Luxembourg.
More guides to schools in Luxembourg
Frequently asked questions
Are there free international schools in Luxembourg?
Yes. Luxembourg runs public international schools that teach in English, French or German sections free of charge to all residents, including non EU nationals. Lycée Michel Lucius in the capital offers an English medium route to IGCSE and A Levels. Places are allocated by the Ministry of Education and waiting lists exist, so apply early.
Which is the most expensive international school in Luxembourg?
The International School of Luxembourg is the most expensive, with tuition of roughly 17,000 to 26,000 euros a year plus a one off capital fee and an annual development levy. It is also the only full IB continuum school in the country and has the largest international intake, which is what the premium reflects.
Can non EU staff children attend the European School in Luxembourg?
Sometimes. Children of EU institution staff have guaranteed free places as Category I pupils. Other children may be admitted as Category III pupils where a section has space, paying fees set by the European Schools system of roughly 4,000 to 8,000 euros a year. Availability varies by language section and year group.