Netherlands – Education and Schools

How good is the education system in the Netherlands?

The Dutch education system is broadly considered to be among the stronger performers in Europe. It is generously resourced, widely accessible, and delivers high levels of educational achievement across the population. In the Netherlands, 22% of adults aged 25–34 hold a master’s degree or equivalent qualification, a figure that surpasses the OECD average of 16%. The system places particular weight on tailored learning pathways and applied knowledge, an approach many families find a welcome contrast to more exam-driven educational models elsewhere.

International benchmarks present a more nuanced picture. Despite marked declines since 2012, the Netherlands still records the highest rate of top mathematics performers of any country in the EU. However, average 2022 PISA scores fell compared to 2018 across mathematics, reading, and science, reaching their lowest points across all three subjects in any previous assessment cycle. These downward trends have been partly linked to disruptions caused by the pandemic.

The Dutch government has taken active steps in response. In 2022, the Netherlands launched the “Master plan for basic skills” to strengthen Dutch reading, writing, mathematics, citizenship education, and digital literacy. By 2025, the initiative had reached 7,800 schools and 95% of all pupils in primary and secondary education. For the most up-to-date assessment data, the Inspectorate of Education (Onderwijsinspectie) publishes annual quality reviews of Dutch schools.

The PISA programme indicates that the Netherlands’ relative standing internationally has been sliding since 2006, with performance now only marginally above the overall average. That said, the country retains the EU’s highest share of top mathematics achievers, and the system continues to generate solid outcomes across its vocational and higher education sectors. Families arriving from countries with centralised national curricula — such as France or England — will observe a notably greater emphasis in the Dutch model on school-level autonomy and the early differentiation of learning tracks.

At what age is education compulsory, and how is schooling structured by age?

Under the Compulsory Education Act, school attendance is mandatory for all pupils between the ages of 5 and 16. In practice, however, almost every child begins primary school at age four. Before entering formal education, children from as young as 6–8 weeks up to age four may attend a kindergarten, while playgroups cater to children aged two to four.

Mainstream primary education covers eight years and is intended for children aged four or five through to twelve. Dutch primary schools organise pupils into groups numbered one through eight (groep 1 to groep 8), broadly equivalent to year groups in other countries. All pupils must sit a nationally standardised attainment test in groep 8, and the primary school uses both this result and its own professional assessment to issue a recommendation indicating which type of secondary school is best suited to each child.

Secondary education in the Netherlands is characterised by an early division into separate academic tracks — a feature that distinguishes it from systems such as Germany’s Gymnasium or France’s collège unique. The three main secondary pathways are: pre-vocational secondary education (VMBO, lasting four years), senior general secondary education (HAVO, lasting five years), and pre-university education (VWO, lasting six years).

Pupils who complete the combined or theoretical VMBO track may progress to HAVO. Both HAVO and VWO are designed to prepare students for tertiary and higher education programmes. Because a child’s secondary pathway is largely determined by the primary school recommendation, those final primary years are especially significant for expat families to understand and plan around.

What types of schools are available in the Netherlands?

Citizens in the Netherlands have a constitutional right to establish schools and deliver education in accordance with religious, philosophical, or pedagogical convictions. Consequently, both publicly governed and privately governed schools exist side by side. This reflects the principle enshrined in Article 23 of the Dutch constitution — a framework that has shaped the school landscape for more than a century and sets the Netherlands apart from many European neighbours.

In practice, Dutch schools fall into two main state-funded categories: public schools (openbare scholen), administered by local municipal authorities, and special schools (bijzondere scholen), which are privately governed but receive government funding. Special schools encompass faith-based institutions — Catholic, Protestant, Islamic, and others — as well as schools rooted in specific educational philosophies such as Montessori, Waldorf (Rudolf Steiner), or Dalton. Importantly, both public and special schools are state-funded and charge no tuition fees.

The Dutch government finances primary, secondary, vocational, and higher education. International schools, by contrast, operate outside the state system and are funded entirely through tuition income without any government subsidy. For families whose children do not yet speak Dutch, or who need to maintain curricular continuity with their home country, international schools represent the primary alternative.

Bilingual schools (tweetalig onderwijs) offer a further option within the state-funded sector, delivering a proportion of lessons in Dutch and a proportion in another language — most frequently English. These schools follow a dual-language model, and demand for places at popular bilingual schools in urban areas can be high.

What curriculum and qualifications do schools in the Netherlands follow?

The Dutch national curriculum has undergone significant renewal in recent years, as the core learning objectives that previously guided schools dated back to 2006. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) commissioned the Curriculum Development Foundation (SLO) to revise these objectives in close collaboration with the education sector. This work produced new core objectives for both primary and secondary education, which were presented in April 2025. Schools retain some flexibility in how they translate this national framework into classroom practice.

At the close of primary school, pupils complete a standardised transfer test (the overgangstoets, introduced during the 2023–24 school year). Taken by pupils in their final year (groep 8), this assessment measures attainment in language and arithmetic and provides an indication of which type of secondary education is most appropriate for each pupil.

Secondary qualifications correspond to the pathway followed. Pupils completing VMBO earn the VMBO diploma, broadly equivalent to a vocational school-leaving certificate. Those finishing HAVO receive the HAVO diploma (typically at age 17), while VWO graduates obtain the VWO diploma (typically at age 18), a pre-university qualification comparable in standing to A-levels or the French baccalauréat. All three pathways involve centrally set national final examinations alongside school-based assessments.

International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes are offered at several international and bilingual schools. The International School of Amsterdam holds the longest-standing relationship with the International Baccalaureate Organisation of any school in the Netherlands, and was the first institution in the world to deliver all three IB programmes — the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme, and the Diploma Programme. The IB Diploma is widely accepted by universities internationally and is a particularly popular choice for internationally mobile families.

What are typical school hours and holidays in the Netherlands?

The school day in the Netherlands generally runs from around 8:30am to 3:00pm, although precise start and finish times differ between schools. Pupils are entitled to 940 hours of compulsory instruction annually in primary education and 1,000 hours in lower secondary education. Lunch arrangements vary by school — some children return home at midday while others eat at school, and there is no universal canteen system, though a national free school meal programme has been introduced at a number of schools.

All schools in the Netherlands observe a summer holiday and a series of shorter breaks of one or two weeks spread across the academic year. Schools also close on public holidays.

The summer holiday lasts six weeks for primary schools, with start and end dates staggered across the northern, central, and southern regions of the country — an arrangement designed to distribute holiday travel across the population rather than concentrating it in a single period. The same regional staggering applies to the six-week summer holidays for all secondary schools.

Following the summer break, a one-week autumn holiday falls in the second half of October for all levels except most research universities. The year also includes a two-week Christmas holiday, a one-week spring (carnival) break, and a two-week May holiday. Specific dates vary by region from year to year; the Dutch government’s official school holiday calendar is updated annually and provides the most reliable current reference.

How do you enrol a child in school in the Netherlands?

The responsibility for enrolling a child in a Dutch state school rests with the parent or guardian. Registration is managed locally rather than through a single national system, and the precise steps can differ slightly between municipalities. The following provides a general overview of the state school enrolment process:

1. Register with your municipality (gemeente): Once you have established a home address in the Netherlands, register yourself and your child with your local gemeente. This registration produces a BSN (citizen service number), which is a prerequisite for school enrolment.
2. Research local schools: Use the Scholen op de Kaart (Schools on the Map) website to browse and compare schools in your area according to academic results, educational philosophy, and school type. Most municipalities offer a mix of public and faith-based special schools.
3. Contact the school directly: Reach out to or visit the schools you are considering. Many schools hold open days (open dagen) where prospective families can look around. Enquire about current availability and waiting lists — this is particularly important in larger cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam, where popular schools may be oversubscribed.
4. Submit your application: Complete the school’s registration form. Documentation typically required includes your child’s birth certificate, proof of address, your BSN, any previous school reports or records, and vaccination documentation where requested.
5. Attend an intake meeting: Most schools arrange an introductory meeting with new families to discuss the child’s academic level, any additional needs, and their ability in Dutch. If your child does not yet speak Dutch, make the school aware from the outset so that appropriate language support can be put in place.
6. Confirm the place: Once a place has been offered and accepted, the school will communicate the start date and any practical requirements, such as what school materials to bring or how lunch is handled.

For international or private schools, the admissions process varies by institution — contact each school individually for their specific requirements and timelines. Waiting lists at international schools in popular cities can be lengthy, so it is advisable to begin the application process as soon as your relocation is confirmed. Always verify current requirements with your local municipality or the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW).

What international schools are available in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is home to 55 international schools spread across 11 cities. The highest concentrations are found in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Eindhoven — all cities with substantial international business communities. The Amsterdam metropolitan area in particular hosts a diverse range of international schools delivering British, American, and IB curricula.

International schools may base their programmes on US, UK, French, or other national curriculum models. The primary language of instruction is most commonly English, though this varies. Many schools offer internationally recognised qualifications, including the International Baccalaureate. Dutch International Schools (part of the DISS network) offer a bilingual Dutch-English curriculum and tend to attract a mix of local Dutch families and internationally mobile households.

As a guide for the 2025–2026 academic year: Early Years and Primary (ages 3–11) fees run from approximately €12,000 to €22,000 per year; Secondary (ages 11–16) from €18,000 to €28,000 per year; and Sixth Form/IB Diploma (ages 16–18) from €22,000 to €32,000 per year. Most schools also charge a one-off registration or enrolment fee, typically in the range of €500 to €2,000, on top of annual tuition. These figures are indicative only and vary considerably between institutions — always confirm current fees directly with each school.

Although international school fees are high relative to local standards, these institutions generally offer strong academic outcomes, smaller class sizes, excellent facilities, and a broad range of extracurricular activities. To identify accredited international schools, consult the Council of International Schools (CIS), the International Schools Consultancy (ISC), or the International Schools Database, which lists Dutch schools along with fees and key details.

What higher education options are available in the Netherlands?

The Dutch higher education landscape comprises two principal types of institution: research universities (universiteiten), which combine academic study with scientific inquiry, and universities of applied sciences (hogescholen), which prioritise practical training and professional competence. The Netherlands enjoys a strong international reputation in higher education, with several institutions — including the University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, Utrecht University, and Leiden University — regularly appearing in leading global rankings.

Dutch universities are particularly attractive to students from abroad, offering the highest number of English-taught programmes relative to population size of any EU member state, excluding English-speaking members. In 2023, the Netherlands recorded the third-highest proportion of internationally mobile degree students in the EU, with 24.2% of graduates coming from overseas — nearly three times the EU average of 9.2%. This places the Dutch higher education system among the most internationally oriented on the continent.

Tuition fees differ considerably depending on a student’s background and residency status. Students from the European Union, the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and certain other eligible countries benefit from a government-set statutory tuition fee. For the 2025–2026 academic year, this stands at approximately €2,601 per year for most full-time bachelor’s and master’s programmes at government-funded institutions. Students from outside the EU/EEA typically pay an institutional tuition fee set by each university, which can range from €10,000 to €18,000 per year for bachelor’s programmes and from €12,000 to €30,000 per year for master’s degrees. Always confirm current fees with individual institutions or through the Study in Holland portal.

Applications are submitted via Studielink, the official Dutch higher education application platform. Entry requirements include equivalence of prior qualifications and demonstrated language proficiency — typically IELTS 6.0 or above, or an equivalent TOEFL score. Since September 2002, the Dutch higher education system has been structured around the three-cycle bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD framework in line with the Bologna Process, ensuring that Dutch qualifications are broadly recognised across Europe and in many other parts of the world.

What should expat parents know about language of instruction in the Netherlands?

All Dutch state schools deliver their lessons in Dutch (Nederlands). For children arriving without any knowledge of the language, this can present an initial hurdle — though younger children in particular tend to acquire conversational and academic Dutch relatively quickly when immersed in a Dutch-language environment. State schools are expected to offer some support to newly arrived pupils who do not yet speak Dutch, but the nature and extent of this provision varies considerably from school to school and from one municipality to another.

A number of municipalities run dedicated newcomer classes (schakelklassen or internationale schakelklassen) for children aged roughly six to eighteen who have recently arrived and have little or no Dutch. These intensive programmes are usually designed to last one year and aim to bring pupils to a level where they can move into mainstream education. Contact your local gemeente to find out whether such a programme operates in your area.

The majority of international schools in Amsterdam conduct all teaching in English and do not require children to have any Dutch when they enrol. Many of these schools nonetheless include Dutch language lessons — compulsory in some cases, optional in others — which offers a meaningful advantage for families intending to remain in the Netherlands for a year or more. Some international schools additionally provide instruction or language support in French, German, Spanish, and other languages.

For families committed to a longer-term stay, placing children in a Dutch-language state school — despite the initial language challenge — brings considerable long-term benefits in terms of social integration and access to the Dutch educational pathway. Families whose relocation is likely to last only one to three years may find that an international school reduces disruption to their children’s education and preserves continuity with the curriculum they will return to.

What financial support or subsidies are available for education in the Netherlands?

State funding of primary, secondary, vocational, and higher education in the Netherlands is designed to ensure that education remains accessible to all. As a result, the vast majority of formal education comes at no cost to families. That said, students and their families may be expected to contribute to certain additional costs in some circumstances.

Primary and secondary education is entirely free of charge. Schools may request a voluntary parental contribution (ouderbijdrage) to fund activities that fall outside the standard curriculum — such as school trips, cultural excursions, or optional enrichment activities. These contributions are explicitly voluntary in nature, and a child’s enrolment or participation in core school life cannot be made conditional upon payment.

Every child who is legally resident in the Netherlands has the right to attend a state school at no cost, regardless of nationality. There is no government subsidy for families who opt to send their children to a private or international school; fees at such institutions are borne entirely by the family. A number of multinational employers include an education allowance as part of their expatriate benefits packages, which can offset some or all international school costs — this is a point worth raising when negotiating an employment contract before relocating.

For higher education, Dutch students may apply for study financing (studiefinanciering) through DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs), the government body responsible for administering student support. EU/EEA nationals who have been working in the Netherlands may also qualify for certain forms of this support, depending on their individual circumstances. Students from outside the EU/EEA are generally not eligible. Eligibility rules are subject to change and depend on factors such as residency status and employment history, so always verify your current entitlements directly with DUO.

Frequently asked questions about education in the Netherlands

Do my children have to learn Dutch to attend a state school?

Yes — instruction in Dutch state schools is conducted in Dutch, and your child will need to build language skills in order to access the curriculum fully. Many municipalities run newcomer classes (internationale schakelklassen) designed specifically for recently arrived children, offering concentrated Dutch language instruction before pupils move into mainstream classes. Get in touch with your local gemeente to find out which provisions exist in your area.

Are there waiting lists for international schools in the Netherlands?

Waiting lists are a common feature at the most sought-after schools, especially for particular year groups and for Early Years places. The wisest course of action is to contact schools at the earliest possible opportunity, even before your relocation date is finalised. Many schools are willing to place your child on a waiting list based on an expected start date and will reach out when a vacancy arises.

Will my child’s foreign school qualifications be recognised in the Netherlands?

Whether a foreign qualification is recognised depends on both its level and the country in which it was awarded. Dutch universities evaluate overseas qualifications through a diploma equivalence process. Nuffic, the Dutch national agency for internationalisation in education, offers a diploma evaluation service (the “Diploma Waardering” tool) that can help determine how a foreign qualification compares to its Dutch equivalent.

Can expat adults pursue higher education in the Netherlands?

Dutch universities offer more English-taught programmes per capita than any other EU member state, making them highly accessible to adults who do not speak Dutch. EU/EEA residents are charged the statutory tuition rate (approximately €2,601 per year as of 2025–2026), while non-EU/EEA residents pay higher institutional fees. Applications are made through Studielink. Confirm entry requirements and language criteria with each institution before applying.

What childcare options are available for children under four?

Children from as young as 6–8 weeks up to age four are able to attend a kindergarten (kinderdagverblijf) in the Netherlands. Childcare is not provided free of charge, but working parents who satisfy the eligibility criteria can access subsidies through the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst). The value of the subsidy is calculated on the basis of household income and working hours. Current rates and conditions can be found at Belastingdienst.nl.

What is the VMBO/HAVO/VWO system, and how does it affect my child?

These three tracks form the backbone of Dutch secondary education. VMBO (four years) leads to vocational programmes; HAVO (five years) leads to universities of applied sciences; VWO (six years) leads to research universities. The recommended track is determined at the end of primary school on the basis of test scores and teacher assessment. Movement between tracks is possible — progression upwards requires strong academic performance. For expat children, the placement recommendation takes both Dutch language ability and overall academic capacity into account.

Is the International Baccalaureate (IB) available in the Netherlands?

Yes. A number of international schools across the Netherlands offer IB programmes, covering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the IB Diploma Programme (DP). The International School of Amsterdam holds the longest-standing relationship with the International Baccalaureate Organisation of any school in the Netherlands, and was the first school anywhere in the world to deliver all three IB programmes. A full list of IB-authorised schools can be found through the IBO school finder.

Are Dutch state schools free for expat children?

Primary and secondary state schools in the Netherlands are free. No tuition fees are charged. Every child who is lawfully resident in the Netherlands — irrespective of nationality — has the right to attend a state school at no cost. Schools may request a voluntary parental contribution (ouderbijdrage) to fund extracurricular activities, but payment of this sum cannot be required as a condition of enrolment or access to the school’s core programme.