Quick answer: How much do international schools in Tbilisi cost in 2026? International schools in Tbilisi charge roughly USD 7,000 to 14,000 a year for primary and USD 12,000 to 27,000 for the IB Diploma or A Level years, with the American-accredited school at the top of the range. Georgian private schools with strong English programmes cost roughly GEL 12,000 to 25,000. Add 10 to 15 percent for registration, transport and exams.
Last reviewed: September 2026 by Catherine from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.
For families relocating to Georgia, international school fees in Tbilisi are one of the pleasant surprises of the move. The city has become a genuine regional hub for remote workers, NGOs, energy companies and families relocating from Russia, Ukraine and the wider region, and its international schools remain affordable by European standards. This guide sets out what the 2026-27 year actually costs, which currency each school bills in, and where the extras hide. Every school below has a verified profile on International School Advisor.
Why Tbilisi is one of the region's best-value school markets
Three factors keep costs down. Teacher salaries and campus rents are lower than in Western Europe or the Gulf. Georgia's visa regime is unusually open, allowing citizens of roughly 95 countries to stay for a full year without a visa, which brings in a steady flow of families without the corporate relocation packages that inflate prices elsewhere. And the school market is competitive: around a dozen schools teach in English, with new campuses opening in Saburtalo, Vake and the Digomi corridor over the past five years.
Where you live shapes the fee decision. Vake and Vera are the traditional expatriate neighbourhoods, close to several schools and walkable. Saburtalo and Dighomi have newer housing and are closer to the schools on the western side of the city. Traffic on the Right Bank embankment can be heavy, so a school within 15 minutes of home saves both time and bus fees.
Curricula available and what they cost
- American (US diploma, AP, with WASC or MSA accreditation): the most expensive tier, roughly USD 12,000 to 27,000.
- International Baccalaureate: the IB Diploma is available at several schools, with full continuum schools charging roughly USD 9,000 to 20,000.
- British (Cambridge IGCSE and A Level): a growing group, roughly USD 7,000 to 18,000.
- Georgian private schools with English streams: the national curriculum with intensive English and often IB Diploma, roughly GEL 12,000 to 25,000 a year.
Five schools that set the Tbilisi price points
QSI International School of Tbilisi
Part of the Quality Schools International network, QSI is the school of choice for US embassy and multinational families and the most expensive in the city. Tuition runs roughly USD 15,000 for the youngest children to USD 27,000 for secondary, plus a registration fee. It runs an American mastery-learning model with AP courses.
British International School of Tbilisi
BIST follows the English National Curriculum through IGCSE and offers the IB Diploma in the final two years. Fees are roughly USD 10,000 to 20,000 depending on year group. It has a strong reputation for pastoral care and an active parent community, and is popular with European families.
European School
A large Georgian-owned school in Saburtalo that runs three streams: Georgian, American high school and the full IB continuum. Fees for the IB and American streams are roughly GEL 20,000 to 35,000 a year, quoted in lari, which makes it markedly cheaper for dollar earners than QSI or BIST.
New School, International School of Georgia
The first IB World School in Georgia, offering all three IB programmes. Tuition is roughly USD 9,000 to 18,000. Class sizes are small and the school has a long track record of IB Diploma results, making it a common alternative for families who find QSI out of budget.
Buckswood International School Tbilisi
Affiliated with Buckswood School in England, this campus offers a British curriculum with Cambridge examinations at roughly USD 7,000 to 14,000 a year. It is one of the more accessible international options and attracts a mixed Georgian and expatriate intake.
Fee ranges by stage for 2026-27
Across the international schools, expect roughly: early years (ages 3 to 5) USD 6,000 to 15,000; primary (ages 6 to 11) USD 8,000 to 20,000; lower secondary (ages 11 to 16) USD 10,000 to 24,000; IB Diploma, A Level or grades 11 and 12 USD 12,000 to 27,000. The wide spread reflects the gap between QSI at the top and the British and Georgian-owned schools below it.
The extras to budget for: a registration fee of USD 200 to 1,000, non-refundable; a refundable deposit at some schools, usually part of a term; school transport at roughly USD 1,200 to 2,000 a year; uniforms at USD 150 to 300 where required; IB, AP or Cambridge exam fees of USD 400 to 900 in exam years; and lunch at USD 600 to 1,200 a year where it is not included. Trips, clubs and instrument lessons are billed separately everywhere.
One hard fact to anchor your planning: Georgia allows citizens of roughly 95 countries, including the EU, UK, US, Canada and Australia, to stay visa-free for 365 days. Schools therefore rarely require a residence permit at enrolment, only a passport and previous school records, which is one less cost and one less delay compared with most other countries.
Practical advice for Tbilisi families
Fix the currency question early. If your income is in dollars or euros, a school quoting in lari becomes cheaper when the lari weakens and dearer when it strengthens. Ask whether the school adjusts lari fees mid-year to compensate for currency moves; some do.
Visit in person before paying a deposit. Tbilisi schools vary more in facilities than their websites suggest. Several occupy converted buildings with limited outdoor space, while others have purpose-built campuses on the edge of the city. The fee difference between them is often smaller than the difference in what your child experiences daily.
Ask about mid-year entry. Many families arrive in Georgia outside the August intake. Most schools pro-rate tuition by month or term, but registration fees are usually charged in full regardless of start date.
Compare Tbilisi schools side by side
Fees are one dimension. Our ranking of the best schools in Tbilisi compares curricula, accreditation, facilities and parent reviews across every school in the city, and lets you contact admissions directly.
More guides to schools in Tbilisi
Frequently asked questions
Are Tbilisi school fees quoted in dollars or lari?
It depends on the school. The international schools founded for expatriate families generally quote in US dollars and accept payment in lari at the National Bank rate on the day, while Georgian-owned private schools quote in lari. Because the lari moves against the dollar, ask which currency the contract is written in before comparing two schools.
Is Tbilisi cheaper than other regional capitals for international schooling?
Yes, by a clear margin. A comparable American or IB education costs roughly 30 to 50 percent less in Tbilisi than in Istanbul, Warsaw or Dubai, and the gap widens once housing is included. The trade-off is a smaller choice of schools and fewer specialist programmes, particularly for children with additional learning needs.
Do international schools in Tbilisi charge a capital or building fee?
Most do not, which is a notable difference from Gulf and Asian markets. The usual one-off charges are a non-refundable registration fee of roughly USD 200 to 1,000 and, at some schools, a refundable deposit equal to part of a term. Always check whether the deposit is returned automatically or only on written request with a full term of notice.