Moving to NL with Kids: School Guide 2026

The question I get asked most often by expat families, by a significant margin, is: “What do I do about schools?”

It comes before the housing questions. It comes before the visa questions. It comes before the banking questions. Parents want to know that their children will be okay, that their education will not suffer, and that the disruption of an international move will not set them back.

I have helped dozens of families work through this, and I want to give you the honest answer: Dutch schooling is good, the international options are excellent but competitive, and the critical mistakes are almost always about timing — specifically, people leaving school applications too late.

Here is everything you need to know.

The Big Decision: Dutch School or International School?

This is the first question every expat family faces, and the right answer depends on factors specific to your situation. Let me walk through the framework I use with families.

Questions that point toward a Dutch state school

You plan to stay for five or more years. Language immersion in a basisschool works remarkably well for young children. A 5-year-old dropped into a Dutch school is typically conversational in Dutch within 6–12 months and fluent within 2 years. The research on multilingual development is clear: early immersion in a second language, even in a full-Dutch environment, has cognitive benefits and does not harm the first language if maintained at home.

Your children are under 8. Young children adapt to new languages with a flexibility that older children and adults simply do not have. Under-8 immersion in Dutch school is usually a success story. The social integration also happens faster at this age — children who cannot speak the language at the start are sharing a football at break time by week two.

You are on a tight budget. Dutch state schools are free. No tuition. Books, school trips, and the “voluntary contribution” (vrijwillige ouderbijdrage, around EUR 50–150/year) are the only costs. At an international school, you might be paying EUR 15,000+ per year per child.

You want your children to integrate into Dutch culture. The Netherlands is a genuinely good country to grow up in. Children who go through the Dutch school system emerge bilingual, with a deep network of Dutch friendships and a comfortable relationship with Dutch culture. Many expat families who initially planned to stay three years end up staying fifteen.

Questions that point toward an international school

Your stay is likely to be short (under three years). Moving a child into a Dutch school for 18 months, then pulling them out to return to English-language education, can be genuinely disruptive. The Dutch curriculum does not map neatly onto British or American curricula. If you are likely to move on, continuity in curriculum and language may serve your child better.

Your children are secondary school age (12+). Language acquisition is harder at 12–16 than at 5–8. Dropping a teenager into a fully Dutch secondary school with VWO-level academic demands and no Dutch is a steep challenge that can affect academic progress meaningfully. Most expat families with secondary-school-age children choose international schools unless the children already speak Dutch.

Your employer pays education costs. Many large Dutch employers and international organisations (Shell, ASML, ING, Unilever) include international school fees in relocation packages, particularly at senior levels. If fees are covered, the financial argument for Dutch school largely disappears.

Your children have been in a specific curriculum. A child who has completed Year 6 of the English national curriculum has been building toward specific year 7 content. An IB or British curriculum international school provides genuine continuity; a Dutch school does not.

Dutch School Types: Understanding the System

Basisschool (Primary School, Age 4–12)

The Dutch primary school system covers ages 4–12 across eight years (groep 1 through groep 8). Teaching is in Dutch. The curriculum includes language arts, mathematics, science, history, geography, creative arts, physical education, and typically English from groep 7 (age 10).

Denominational schools: A significant feature of Dutch school culture is the pillarisation (verzuiling) history, which means many schools have religious affiliations. A large proportion of Dutch basisscholen are Catholic (katholieke school) or Protestant (protestantse school) even in a country that is largely secular. Non-denominational schools are called openbare scholen. Religious affiliation generally has little impact on day-to-day school life in most schools, but the distinction matters for some families.

Bilingual schools (tweetalige basisscholen): Growing in number, particularly in expat-heavy cities. These schools offer 50% Dutch, 50% English instruction. They are popular with Dutch parents as well as expats and have waiting lists. Worth registering for even if you expect your child to go to an international school, as a backup option.

Montessori and other alternative pedagogy schools: The Netherlands has many Montessori, Dalton, and other progressive pedagogy schools within the state sector. These are free, as with standard basisscholen.

Middelbare School (Secondary School, Age 12–18)

At age 12, Dutch children transition to secondary school. The distinctive Dutch feature is the three-track system:

VMBO (Voorbereidend Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs): 4-year vocational track, leading to MBO (vocational college). Roughly 55–60% of Dutch students follow VMBO. It is not a dead end — MBO leads to HBO (applied sciences university) — but the academic ceiling is lower.

HAVO (Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs): 5-year general education track, leading to HBO (applied sciences university). Around 25% of students.

VWO (Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs): 6-year university preparatory track, leading to WO (research university). About 20% of students. This is the track that leads to universities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, Leiden, and Delft.

For expat families, the relevant question: Where would your child be placed in this system?

For children who have been through the Dutch primary system, the Cito toets and teacher recommendation determine placement. For children arriving at secondary age from abroad, schools typically assess individually. Strong academic performance in a previous school, particularly in mathematics and sciences (which are universal), typically leads to appropriate placement. Language is the main challenge — VWO instruction in Dutch is demanding.

Gymnasium: A subset of VWO that includes Latin and/or Ancient Greek alongside regular VWO subjects. Elite academic track, highly regarded.

International Schools in the Netherlands

International schools are primarily concentrated in the Randstad and in cities with large employer-sponsored expat populations. The main locations:

Amsterdam

Amsterdam International Community School (AICS): IB curriculum (PYP, MYP, DP). One of the most respected international schools in the country. Waiting list is long — register at least 12–18 months in advance for primary, longer for secondary. Located in Amsterdam-Noord/Oud-West.

British School of Amsterdam: British curriculum (EYFS through Year 13, leading to GCSEs and A-levels). Smaller and more intimate than AICS. Popular with British expat families. Waiting list applies.

International School of Amsterdam (ISA): Another strong IB option. Good reputation for secondary. More affluent catchment — significant fees.

American School of Amsterdam (ASA): American curriculum, advanced placement options. Primary clientele is US corporate expats.

The Hague

The Hague has the highest concentration of international schools in the Netherlands, reflecting its role as the seat of international organisations and diplomatic missions.

The British School in the Netherlands (BSN): One of the largest and most established international schools in Europe. Multiple campuses, covering ages 3–18, British curriculum. Waiting list is substantial — register as soon as you know you are moving.

International School of The Hague (ISH): IB curriculum. Large, well-resourced, with a genuinely international student body.

American School of The Hague (ASH): American curriculum. Primarily US corporate and government families.

Other Cities

International School Eindhoven: Serves the ASML and Philips expat community. Growing rapidly as Eindhoven’s tech economy has expanded. IB curriculum.

International School Utrecht (ISU): Smaller school, IB Primary Years Programme. Growing in reputation.

Rotterdam International Secondary School (RISS): Secondary-only IB school. Part of a consortium with primary feeder schools.

School Waiting Lists: The Most Important Section of This Guide

I am putting this section here deliberately. Everything above is useful context. This is the most actionable and most time-sensitive information in the guide.

Waiting lists at popular international schools in Amsterdam and The Hague regularly run 1–3 years. Some families register their children for the British School in the Netherlands or AICS before their child is born, knowing they will relocate in the future.

What this means for you:

• If you are considering a move to the Netherlands 12+ months from now: register for your preferred schools now. There is typically a non-refundable registration fee (EUR 150–2,000 depending on school), but this is money well spent to secure a place.
• If you are moving in 3–6 months: contact schools immediately. Explain your situation. Ask to be put on waiting lists and ask whether there are any places available at your child’s year group. Some year groups have shorter lists than others.
• If you are moving in 4–8 weeks: be prepared for the realistic possibility that your first-choice school will not have space. Have a plan B (Dutch state school, bilingual school, or a less popular international school).

The worst outcome is arriving with school-age children and no school place, spending weeks in temporary accommodation while waiting for a place to open. This is stressful and I have seen it happen multiple times with families who assumed they could sort it once they arrived.

Registration fees: Most international schools charge a non-refundable registration fee to add your child to the waiting list. This is standard and not a sign of poor practice. Budget EUR 200–1,500 per school per child for registrations.

School Costs: A Realistic Budget

Dutch state school (basisschool, middelbare school)

• Tuition: Free
• Vrijwillige ouderbijdrage (voluntary contribution): EUR 50–200/year, depending on school
• School trips: EUR 50–300/year
• Books (middelbare school): Free (provided by school via a government scheme)
• BSO after-school care: EUR 400–800/month depending on hours and provider (partially subsidised via kinderopvangtoeslag)

Total rough annual cost per child in Dutch state school: EUR 600–2,000/year (primarily BSO)

International schools

• Registration fee (one-time per school): EUR 150–2,000
• Deposit (refundable): EUR 1,000–5,000
• Annual tuition: EUR 5,000–25,000 (varies significantly by school and year group; primary is cheaper, secondary more expensive)
• Annual materials/activity fees: EUR 300–1,500
• School bus (if needed): EUR 2,000–4,000/year
• Before/after school care: EUR 1,500–4,000/year

Total rough annual cost per child at international school: EUR 12,000–30,000/year

School Hours and the Lunch Break Puzzle

Dutch school hours are typically 8:30–15:00 for primary school, with some variation. The school day is shorter than in many countries expat families come from.

The more surprising element: the lunch break tradition.

At many Dutch basisscholen — particularly in smaller cities and traditional communities — children go home for lunch between approximately 12:00 and 13:00. Parents are expected to arrange collection (or a neighbour’s arrangement, or a trusted adult). Children return for the afternoon session at 13:00.

For two working parents with fixed office hours, this system is a logistical challenge. The workaround solutions Dutch families use:

• TSO (Tussenschoolse Opvang): Organised lunchtime care at school, run by parent volunteers or a provider, available at many schools. Cost: approximately EUR 2–5 per lunch, payable by school term. This must be arranged in advance — it is not universally available and spots fill up.
• Continurooster (continuous school day): A growing number of Dutch schools have adopted a continuous school day format where children eat lunch at school (in their classroom) and there is no midday gap. Hours are typically 8:30–14:00 or 8:30–14:30. Ask specifically whether a school uses continurooster when researching options.
• Au pair or afternoon nanny: A common solution for dual-income expat families.

International schools typically use a continuous school day model more similar to British, American, or international private school norms. Lunch is eaten at school. This is one practical advantage of international schools for working parents.

BSO: After-School Care

BSO (Buitenschoolse Opvang) is the Dutch after-school care system. It is regulated, subsidised, and necessary for most working parents.

How it works:

• BSO runs from school pick-up (around 15:00) until typically 18:00–18:30
• It is operated by registered kinderopvang (childcare) providers
• Many BSOs are physically located at or next to specific schools
• Children are typically collected from school by BSO staff

Costs: BSO costs approximately EUR 8–12 per hour before government subsidy. The Dutch government provides kinderopvangtoeslag (childcare benefit/subsidy) to households where both parents work, which can reduce the cost significantly — sometimes to EUR 2–4 per hour depending on income. Expat families are eligible for kinderopvangtoeslag if they are tax residents in the Netherlands and both partners work.

Waiting lists: Good BSOs near good schools also have waiting lists. Register early — ideally at the same time you register for school.

Holiday care: BSO providers often run holiday clubs (vakantieopvang) during school holidays. These are separate from regular BSO and have their own registration and costs.

Integrating Into Dutch School Culture: What to Expect

Parent involvement: Dutch schools have active parent communities. The medezeggenschapsraad (participation council, MR) gives parents formal input into school policy. The ouderraad (parent council) organises events and activities. Participation is valued and somewhat expected. Expat parents who engage with the parent community find it a useful way to build their own social network alongside their children’s.

Homework culture: Dutch primary school homework is minimal by international standards. The philosophy in the Dutch system, particularly at basisschool level, is that childhood has value beyond homework. Many Dutch basisscholen assign little to no homework. This surprises British and American expat parents accustomed to more structured homework regimes. At middelbare school (secondary), homework increases as students approach their national exams.

Mobile phones: Dutch secondary schools are increasingly implementing phone-free policies, following government recommendations. Primary schools are almost universally phone-free for children.

Cycling to school: Dutch children cycle to school. From a surprisingly young age. Age 8–9 cycling independently to school is normal in most Dutch cities. This is part of broader Dutch cycling culture. For expat families from countries where independent child cycling is unusual, this can feel alarming at first and liberating after a year.

Birthday culture at school: Dutch birthday culture is enthusiastic and specific. A child’s birthday at school traditionally means the birthday child (not the parent) brings treats for the class — typically small sweets, a biscuit, or a small fruit skewer. The party culture for children’s birthdays also typically involves a visit to school during the school day. Expect a party invitation card in your child’s school bag within weeks of starting.

The Language Question: Practical Tips

If your child is joining a Dutch school, particularly a basisschool, some practical points:

Dutch language classes for children: Many municipalities offer Dutch language courses for children of newly arrived expats (called NT2 — Nederlands als Tweede Taal). Ask at your gemeente and at the school — many schools have NT2 support built in.

Language support at school: Most basisscholen are experienced with non-Dutch-speaking children and have strategies for supporting them. Inform the school in advance, ask what support is available, and expect a brief period of confusion followed by rapid progress.

Language at home: Research on bilingual children consistently shows that maintaining the home language is important. Children who speak Dutch at school and, say, English or Spanish at home develop both languages well. Do not feel you need to switch to Dutch at home to help your child integrate faster — it is more helpful to maintain a strong home language while Dutch develops naturally at school.

Family Health Insurance: A Note for Families

Moving to the Netherlands with children means getting the whole family onto Dutch basisverzekering. Children under 18 are covered free under the Dutch system — their healthcare is bundled into a parent’s policy at no extra monthly cost. This is one of the genuinely child-friendly features of the Dutch healthcare system.

During the gap period before your family’s Dutch health insurance is active, SafetyWing’s family pricing is notably good: children under 10 are covered free when a parent is insured.

Check SafetyWing family coverage →

Practical Timeline for Families Moving to the Netherlands

12+ months before move:

• Start international school applications — register on waiting lists immediately
• Research Dutch school options in target neighbourhoods
• Visit if possible (some schools host open days)

6 months before move:

• Confirm school situation — follow up with applications
• Research BSO options linked to likely schools
• Research TSO (lunchtime care) availability if considering Dutch school

1 month before move:

• Confirm school starting date, first-day logistics
• Arrange BSO registration and start date
• Organise temporary SafetyWing coverage for health gap period

First week in Netherlands:

• Register at gemeente — children must be registered too
• Contact school to confirm start date and paperwork
• Register children with a GP (huisarts)
• Apply for Dutch health insurance (once BSN received)

Final Thoughts

Moving with school-age children is one of the more logistically intense versions of expatting, but the Netherlands is genuinely a good country to do it in. The Dutch school system produces well-educated, happy, and socially capable young people. The international schools are among the best in Europe.

The families who have the smoothest school transitions are almost always the ones who started the process early — ideally a year before the move — and were flexible about Dutch school as a fallback if international school places were not available.

The families who struggle are the ones who assumed it would work itself out. With school places in the Netherlands in 2026, it does not always work itself out.

Start early, register widely, and ask questions. The schools here are genuinely good, and your children will likely be fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age do Dutch children start school?

Dutch children can start basisschool (primary school) at age 4. Attendance is compulsory from age 5. Most children start at 4, as schools typically accept 4-year-olds on a rolling basis throughout the year — children often start the week after their fourth birthday rather than waiting for the academic year to begin. Secondary school (middelbare school) starts at age 12 after completing basisschool.

How long are waiting lists for international schools in the Netherlands?

Waiting lists at established international schools in Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam can be very long — often 1–3 years for popular schools. The British School in the Netherlands (BSN), Amsterdam International Community School (AICS), the International School of The Hague (ISH), and similar institutions regularly have waiting lists running years ahead. Register as early as possible — some parents register before their child is born if they know they will be moving to the Netherlands. For a move with less than 12 months notice, be prepared for the possibility that your first-choice international school may not have space.

Do Dutch state schools teach in English?

Most Dutch state schools (basisscholen) teach in Dutch. There are some bilingual schools (tweetalige scholen) that offer half Dutch, half English instruction, which are popular with expat families but also have waiting lists. The international schools (primarily in Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven, and Rotterdam) teach in English or other languages and follow international curricula (IB, British, American). Outside major expat cities, international schooling options are limited.

How much does a Dutch international school cost?

Dutch international schools charge tuition fees typically ranging from EUR 5,000–25,000 per year per child depending on school, level, and year group. The British School in the Netherlands charges approximately EUR 14,000–22,000 per year. The Amsterdam International Community School is approximately EUR 12,000–18,000. The International School of The Hague is approximately EUR 11,000–20,000. State Dutch schools are free. Some international schools also charge registration fees (EUR 200–2,000) and may require a deposit.

What is the Cito toets and how does it affect expat children?

The Cito toets (officially the Eindtoets Basisonderwijs) is a standardised test taken by Dutch children in their final year of basisschool (typically age 11–12). Results, combined with the teacher’s school advice (schooladvies), determine which level of middelbare school the child is recommended for: VMBO (vocational), HAVO (general), or VWO (university preparatory). For expat children who have been in the Dutch school system, the Cito test applies equally. For children joining at secondary level from abroad, placement is typically assessed individually by the receiving school.

What is BSO and do expat families need it?

BSO (Buitenschoolse Opvang) is organised after-school care in the Netherlands, typically running from school pick-up (around 15:00) until 18:30 or later. It is run by registered childcare providers (kinderopvang) and is subsidised by the Dutch government via kinderopvangtoeslag (childcare benefit) for parents who both work. BSO is not part of the school itself but is usually closely linked to specific schools. Registration needs to happen well in advance — BSO places at popular locations near good schools fill up quickly. For working expat parents, BSO is a practical necessity.

What is the Dutch school lunch tradition?

One of the most surprising cultural discoveries for expat parents: Dutch children go home for lunch. Dutch primary school hours are approximately 8:30–15:00 with a lunch break from around 12:00–13:00. During this break, most Dutch children go home or are picked up. Some schools have a ‘continuous school day’ (continurooster) where children eat lunch at school in the classroom, and this format is growing in popularity. However, the ’lunch at home’ tradition remains common, especially in smaller cities and towns. Expat parents working full-time often find this the most logistically challenging aspect of Dutch school culture.

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