School fees in the Netherlands

The Dutch government funds primary, secondary, vocational and higher education in the Netherlands to ensure that it is accessible to all. Education is therefore mostly free. However, students and their families are usually required to pay some additional fees. Different costs apply to students at private schools, which set their own tuition fees.

Dutch primary school and high school fees

Primary and secondary education in the Netherlands is free. Schools do not charge their students fees.

Parental contributions (ouderbijdrage)

However, schools may ask for a voluntary contribution from parents (ouderbijdrage) to cover activities outside of the usual school curriculum such as:

• Excursions
• School trips
• Sports days
• Swimming lessons

Schools may not request voluntary contributions for certain expenses, which are already covered by government contributions. This includes:

• Renting lockers
• School guides
• Using the bicycle shed
• Student passes

The voluntary contribution varies per school and can range from about €250 to €2.000 per year, depending on a family’s income level. An average family will be asked to pay around €865. How much your child's school asks for will be laid out in the school guide, which will also explain what the money is used for.

What happens if I don't pay the ouderbijdrage?

The parental contribution is always voluntary. You are not obliged to pay it if you cannot afford it. Not paying does not mean that your child will be excluded from extracurricular activities. All students are always welcome to participate, whether or not their parents have paid the contribution.  

After-school care

If you require care for your child before, during or after school, you may send them to either buitenschoolse opvang (BSO - out-of-school care) or tussenschoolseopvang (TSO - lunchtime supervision).

Although connected with primary schools, BSO and TSO are usually provided by an external childcare provider and therefore cost money. Parents usually pay the BSO/TSO provider directly. Some of the costs may be (partially) covered by the childcare allowance. 

International school fees in the Netherlands

International schools offer private education, (privaat- or privéonderwijs) and therefore charge fees.

Exactly how much you are charged will depend on the type of international school your child attends:

• State-funded international schools receive government funding and therefore charge lower school fees, typically between €4.500 and €9.000 per child per year (as of 2026).
• Private international schools are fully privately funded and charge higher fees, typically between €18.000 and €30.000+ per child per year (as of 2026). 

Fees are typically lower at the primary level than at secondary level.

Bear in mind that this excludes additional costs such as registration or application fees, enrolment fees, and the costs of other things like school uniforms, school trips and learning materials.