Cheapest International Schools in Brussels 2026

Brussels’ international school market divides sharply: at the top, ISB and BSB charge €28,000–€38,000/year; at the bottom, European Schools serve EU institution staff at fees that are almost negligible. For families who cannot access premium schools, genuine affordable options exist.

Affordable International Schools in Brussels: Fee Overview

School	Curriculum	Annual Fees (EUR)
European Schools (for eligible staff)	European Baccalaureate	Near-zero for EU institution staff
Scandinavian School	Scandinavian national	~€3,000–€8,000
German School Brussels	German national	~€3,000–€7,000
Lycée Français Jean Monnet	French	~€4,000–€9,000
Antwerp International School	IB	~€14,000–€22,000

Fees are indicative for 2025/2026. Confirm directly with each school.

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European Schools: The Exceptional Case

The European Schools network in Brussels is one of the most extraordinary educational institutions in the world. Operated by and for EU institutions, the schools deliver the European Baccalaureate — a qualification recognised by all EU member state universities.

For EU institution staff (Commission, Parliament, Council, agencies): Fees are near-zero or nominally priced. This represents extraordinary value — the schools maintain high academic standards and international environments comparable to ISB at a fraction of the cost.

For private (non-EU staff) families: The European Schools also accept a limited number of private fee-paying students at significantly higher fees (~€12,000–€20,000/year). Still below ISB/BSB but with a waitlist.

The European Schools are worth investigating for any family connected to EU institutions.

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National Community Schools

Several European countries maintain their own national schools in Brussels, serving their diplomatic and community members at low fees:

Scandinavian School: Serves Nordic families (Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish). Low fees for nationals. Subject to eligibility by nationality.

German School Brussels: Serves German families with curriculum aligned to the German Gymnasium system. Fees are low for German-affiliated families.

Lycée Français Jean Monnet: French national curriculum school serving French-speaking families. More accessible than premium international schools.

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Tips for Reducing Costs in Brussels

Negotiate your EU posting allowance. EU institutions and many multinational companies with Brussels operations provide school fee allowances as part of relocation packages. Always negotiate this specifically before accepting a posting.

Consider the European Schools waiting list. Even for non-EU staff, the European Schools’ private intake is worth applying for — the educational quality is high and fees for private students are lower than ISB.

Belgian local schooling. Belgium’s own French-medium (Walloon) and Dutch-medium (Flemish) schooling systems are free to attend and of good quality. For families planning a longer stay and with language flexibility, integration into the Belgian system can work well, particularly at primary level.

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