International schools in the Netherlands: types, cities and admission
State-funded or private, who qualifies, and where the schools are
Short answer: expat children in the Netherlands can go to a state-funded Dutch International School if the family is internationally mobile, to a fully private international school, or to a regular Dutch school with extra language support. School is compulsory from age 5, and the Dutch International Schools association lists 47 schools and locations in 26 towns.
Where your children go to school often decides where you live, so it is worth settling early. The choice depends on how long you expect to stay, which language you want your children to learn in, and whether you qualify for the state-funded international schools.
This guide covers the school types and admission. For childcare before school age, see our childcare costs guide, and for the wider picture of moving with children, our family guide to the Netherlands.
Table of contents
Types of schools for expat children
| Type | What it is | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch International Schools (DIS) | International primary and secondary schools for ages 4 to 19, recognised and funded by the Ministry of Education | Families staying for a limited time, or Dutch families moving abroad or returning; admission criteria apply |
| Private international schools | Fully private schools, often following a national or international curriculum | Families who want a specific curriculum, or who do not meet the DIS criteria |
| Regular Dutch schools | Publicly funded Dutch primary and secondary schools; some secondary schools offer bilingual education | Families staying long term who want their children to grow up in Dutch |
| Newcomer classes | Language and transition classes for recently arrived children who do not speak Dutch yet | Children moving into the Dutch system who need Dutch first |
Who can go to a Dutch International School?
Because the Dutch International Schools are publicly funded, they are reserved for internationally mobile families. A child qualifies if at least one of these applies:
- The child has a non-Dutch nationality (or also a non-Dutch nationality) and a parent who works in the Netherlands, or a Dutch border region, for a limited time.
- The child is Dutch and has lived and gone to school abroad for at least two years because a parent was stationed abroad.
- The child is Dutch and a parent they live with will be stationed abroad within two years, for at least two years.
For the last two years of secondary school (the IB Diploma Programme), pupils also need a havo diploma or promotion to year 5 of vwo, and sufficient English.
Source: Dutch International Schools, admissions. Each school applies these criteria itself, so confirm with the school you are interested in.
International schools by city
These are the 47 schools and locations listed by the Dutch International Schools association. Its list includes full members and associated members, so not every school on it is state-funded: check each school's own website for its status, curriculum, availability and costs.
The Hague
- The International School of The Hague
- HSV International School (three locations)
- Europese School Den Haag
- International Waldorf School The Hague
- The British School, Senior School Leidschenveen
Wassenaar and Voorschoten (The Hague region)
- International School Wassenaar
- American School of The Hague (Wassenaar)
- The British School, Senior School Voorschoten
Leiden region
- International School Leiden
- Elckerlyc International School (Leiderdorp)
- Het Rijnlands Lyceum Oegstgeest
Delft
- International School Delft (Primary)
- International School Delft (Secondary)
Amsterdam
- Amsterdam International Community School, South Campus
- Amsterdam International Community School, Sandcastle (South-East)
- Alasca
- Denise
Amstelveen
- International School Amsterdam
- Amstelland International School
Haarlem and Hoofddorp
- International School Haarlem (primary groups 1-3, groups 4-7, and secondary MYP and DP)
- Optimist International Academy (Hoofddorp)
Rotterdam
- Rotterdam International Secondary School, Junior Campus
- Rotterdam International Secondary School, Secondary Campus
- Harbour International School
Utrecht
- International School Utrecht
Eindhoven region
- International School Eindhoven
- Salto International School
- Sondervick International School (Veldhoven)
Hilversum and Laren
- International Primary School Hilversum
- International School Hilversum 'Alberdingk Thijm'
- International School Laren
- Laar & Berg (Laren)
Almere
- International School Almere
Amersfoort
- Amersfoort International School
Castricum
- Jac. P. Thijsse College
Groningen (Haren)
- International Primary School Groningen
- International School Groningen
Enschede
- International School Twente, Primary Division
- International School Twente, Secondary Division
Arnhem
- Rivers International School Arnhem
Breda
- International School Breda
Maastricht
- United World College Maastricht
Leeuwarden
- International School Fryslân
Source: Dutch International Schools, find a school, checked October 2026.
Choosing a city partly by school is common. Our city guides for The Hague, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven and Utrecht cover the rest of what you need to decide, and choosing a Dutch city compares them.
Compulsory school, registration and costs
From what age
School is compulsory for every child living in the Netherlands from age 5 to 16, starting on the first day of the month after the fifth birthday. Children can start primary school at 4, and you can register a child with a primary school from the age of 3.
Costs
Regular Dutch schools are publicly funded. They may ask for a voluntary parental contribution for extras such as trips, sports days or bilingual programmes, but it is not compulsory: since the 2021 law change, every child may take part even if the parents do not pay.
International school costs differ per school and change every year, and private schools work differently from the state-funded Dutch International Schools. We do not list fees for that reason: check the school's own website, and ask your employer early whether it contributes to school fees as part of your package.
Sources: Government.nl, primary education and Rijksoverheid, vrijwillige ouderbijdrage (Dutch). For term dates, see our school holidays guide.
Choosing a Dutch school instead
If you plan to stay for good, or do not meet the international school criteria, a regular Dutch school is the usual route. Children who recently arrived and do not speak Dutch get help first:
- Primary school age: a language or transition class, or a place in a regular class with extra Dutch lessons.
- From age 12: an international transition class (ISK), which combines Dutch with subjects such as maths before the pupil moves on to regular secondary school.
Ask your municipality or the schools near you which ones offer newcomer education. For the end of primary school, our school holidays guide also explains the doorstroomtoets that helps decide the secondary school level.
Source: Rijksoverheid, onderwijs voor nieuwkomers (Dutch).
Frequently asked questions
What are Dutch International Schools?
Dutch International Schools (DIS) are international primary and secondary schools for children aged 4 to 19 that are recognised and funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. They are meant for internationally mobile families, so admission depends on your family's situation rather than on an entrance test.
Who can go to a Dutch International School?
A child qualifies if they have a non-Dutch nationality (or also a non-Dutch nationality) and a parent working in the Netherlands for a limited time; or if they are Dutch and lived and went to school abroad for at least two years because a parent was stationed there; or if they are Dutch and a parent will be stationed abroad within two years for at least two years.
At what age do children have to go to school in the Netherlands?
School is compulsory for children living in the Netherlands from age 5 to 16, starting on the first day of the month after their fifth birthday. Children can start primary school at 4, and you can register a child with a primary school from the age of 3.
Are Dutch schools free?
Regular Dutch primary and secondary schools are publicly funded. Schools may ask for a voluntary parental contribution for extra activities such as trips, but it is not compulsory, and since the 2021 law change every child may take part even if the parents do not pay.
Which cities have international schools?
The Dutch International Schools association lists 47 schools and locations in 26 towns. The Hague and its surroundings have the most, followed by Amsterdam and Amstelveen; Haarlem, Hilversum and Laren, Rotterdam and the Eindhoven region each have several. Smaller cities such as Groningen, Enschede, Arnhem, Breda, Maastricht and Leeuwarden have at least one.
What if my child does not speak Dutch and goes to a Dutch school?
Children who recently arrived and do not speak Dutch can get extra language support. In primary school that is a language or transition class, or extra Dutch lessons in a regular class. From age 12 there are international transition classes (ISK) that combine Dutch with subjects such as maths, before pupils move to a regular secondary school.
How much do international schools cost?
It differs per school and per year, and fully private international schools work differently from the state-funded Dutch International Schools. Check the current fees on each school's own website before you decide, and ask your employer whether it contributes.