The Dutch government funds primary, secondary, vocational and higher education in the Netherlands. 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.
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 and swimming lessons.
The voluntary contribution varies per school and can range from about 250 to 2.000 euros per year, depending on a family’s income level. An average family will be asked to pay around 865 euros. The parental contribution is always voluntary, however.
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 a private education, (privaat- or privéonderwijs) and therefore charge fees. Tuition costs at international schools depend on the institution, with fees ranging from 5.000 to 22.000 euros annually for primary education, and from 8.000 to 23.000 euros per year for secondary education.