Gulf & Energy Economies

International Schools in the Netherlands: The Family Shortlist

Updated: 18 August 2026 Holdwise editorial team International schools Family Relocation

The Netherlands has British, American and International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in the areas where international families live. For families who relocate, the school is often the first thing they choose. They then choose the home, the commute and the calendar. The Dutch school system ranks high internationally. At Holdwise, we keep this answer up to date. You find the steps further down this page.

Four school regions

Amsterdam & Amstelveen: the largest group of schools, with IB World Schools and British and American programmes. There is also a well-known Japanese school for the international community in Amstelveen.
The Hague & Wassenaar: the area where many diplomats live, with British and American schools that have many embassy families. Villa neighbourhoods are close by.
Rotterdam: IB and international programmes for the international families who work in and around the port.
Eindhoven: an international school campus in the technology region, for families who work at the large engineering companies there.

Fees, waitlists and the calendar

Tuition typically costs €15,000 to €30,000 per child per year at the private international schools, with government-subsidised international departments offering strong programmes at a fraction of that. Waitlists concentrate in the popular year groups, so start the shortlist a full year ahead, apply to two or three schools, and let the offer set the relocation date.

The Dutch state school option

Dutch public education ranks among the world's strongest and charges essentially zero tuition. Bilingual streams ease the transition, and many long-stay families relocate younger children across after an international first year, keeping the IB track for the later university years.

You can set up the company by power of attorney, from any country. This usually happens within one week once all documents are complete. See setting up a BV in the Netherlands from abroad.

Home and family planning

Families look for a home near the schools on their shortlist. See the neighbourhood guide. For the order of all the steps for the family, see the 90-day checklist. There is a guide for each country, from Saudi Arabia to Oman.

Free advice

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We help entrepreneurs and international companies with their company in the Netherlands and Europe. Tell us where you stand or what you are planning. You get free advice on your next step.

Part of Doing Business in the Netherlands, the complete 2026 guide.

Frequently asked questions

Which curriculum suits a globally mobile family best? +

The IB suits a mobile family best. It is recognised by universities worldwide and taught across Dutch international schools. British and American tracks suit families tied to those specific university systems.

How hard are the waitlists really? +

Manageable if you start a year ahead. In the popular year groups, places are scarce at short notice. Apply to two or three schools and be flexible about the campus. The waiting list is then mainly a question of timing.

Do the schools support Arabic language and faith needs? +

Yes. Inclusion is school policy at the international schools. Space for prayer, halal food and mother-tongue programmes are common. Arabic-speaking families attend schools in every region.

Sources Belastingdienst · KVK · wetten.overheid.nl Last updated: 18 August 2026