Most Expensive International Schools in Brussels 2026
Most Expensive International Schools in Brussels 2026
Brussels is Europe’s de facto capital — home to the European Union institutions, NATO headquarters, and an unusually high concentration of international organisations and multinational corporations. This creates one of Europe’s most sustained demands for international schooling, and the city’s top international schools reflect that demand in their fees.
Premium International Schools in Brussels: Fee Overview
| School | Curriculum | Annual Fees (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| International School of Brussels (ISB) | IB | ~€28,000–€38,000 |
| British School of Brussels (BSB) | British (IGCSE/A-Level) | ~€22,000–€33,000 |
| Brussels American School | American | ~€20,000–€30,000 |
| St John’s International School | IB | ~€18,000–€28,000 |
| BEPS International School | British/IB | ~€16,000–€24,000 |
Fees are indicative for 2025/2026. Confirm directly with each school.
International School of Brussels (ISB)
ISB is consistently regarded as Brussels’ most prestigious international school. It offers the full IB continuum from PYP through to the Diploma Programme, and its graduates regularly gain admission to the world’s leading universities. ISB’s alumni include the children of EU commissioners, ambassadors, and Fortune 500 executives.
Annual fees are approximately €28,000–€38,000 — among the highest in continental Europe outside of Switzerland. The school’s Waterloo campus is spacious and extensively resourced.
What sets ISB apart is not just academic quality but the extraordinary international community it nurtures. With families from 50+ nationalities cycling through on diplomatic and EU postings, ISB produces graduates with genuinely global perspectives.
British School of Brussels (BSB)
BSB is Brussels’ leading British curriculum school, delivering IGCSE and A-Level in a warm, well-resourced environment. It is particularly popular with British and Commonwealth expat families and with those targeting UK university admissions.
Annual fees are approximately €22,000–€33,000. BSB’s campus in Tervuren is modern and well-equipped.
Brussels American School
The Brussels American School (BAS) follows the American curriculum through Advanced Placement, making it the natural choice for North American families and others targeting US college admissions.
Annual fees are approximately €20,000–€30,000.
St John’s International School
St John’s offers the full IB continuum in a smaller, community-focused environment. It is popular with families seeking IB education in a less corporate environment than ISB.
Annual fees are approximately €18,000–€28,000.
BEPS International School
BEPS is one of Brussels’ best-regarded smaller international schools, offering British curriculum alongside IB options. Annual fees are approximately €16,000–€24,000 — making it somewhat more accessible than the top tier while maintaining strong academic standards.
What Drives High Fees in Brussels?
Brussels’ international school fees reflect:
Extraordinary demand. The EU, NATO, and hundreds of international organisations create constant demand for top-quality international education. Schools operate near full capacity with waitlists.
EU capital cost of living. Brussels is one of Europe’s more expensive cities, particularly for international-standard housing and facilities.
International teacher recruitment. Attracting and retaining internationally certified teachers in Brussels means competitive packages.
Facilities investment. Large campuses in the Brussels periphery with swimming pools, performing arts facilities, sports grounds.
University Placements
Brussels’ top international schools produce exceptional university placement outcomes. ISB and BSB graduates regularly gain admission to Oxbridge, Sciences Po, LSE, UCL, and Ivy League universities. EU-institution children attending these schools often go on to careers in international organisations themselves.
Apply Early
Brussels’ top schools — particularly ISB and BSB — operate significant waitlists. Families relocating to Brussels should apply 12–18 months in advance. Families connected to EU institutions often receive priority at ISB.
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