Graz’s international provision is compact and publicly rooted: the city has several state bilingual primary and secondary schools that teach in both English and German, and at least one secondary school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma while some primary schools run the IB Primary Years Programme. Families will commonly find English-medium classes inside the Austrian public system rather than standalone fee-paying international schools, with additional German-as-a-foreign-language (DaF/DaZ) support widely available. Tuition is usually not charged at these state bilingual schools, though parents should budget for after-school care, meals, excursions and the fees charged by private preschools or kindergartens, which are typically several hundred euros a month. Because spaces in bilingual classes can be limited, parents should contact the school and the City of Graz education office (ABI service) early; compulsory schooling in Austria runs from age six to 15 and there is a preparatory kindergarten year before primary entry.
What curricula and qualifications will my child be able to follow in Graz?
In Graz most international-style provision sits inside the public system as bilingual English - German classes; these follow the Austrian curriculum and can lead to the Austrian school-leaving qualification (Matura). Some schools offer IB programmes alongside the national pathway - for example, IB Primary Years provision at certain primary schools and the IB Diploma in upper secondary at the bilingual Gymnasium - so it is possible to graduate with an IB Diploma as well as or in addition to the Austrian qualification.
How much does an international or bilingual education in Graz usually cost?
State bilingual primary and secondary places are part of the public school system and do not charge standard tuition for resident pupils, but families should expect incidental charges for school trips, materials, after-school care and catering. Private international kindergartens and some independent childcare providers do charge fees (commonly several hundred euros per month), and if you choose a private international school outside Graz tuition can rise to several thousand euros a year.
When should we apply and how competitive are places?
Application rhythms vary: primary school places and admissions to first grade are handled through the City of Graz education office and many bilingual primary programmes publish a winter/January intake for the following year, while entry to bilingual secondary streams typically follows the local Gymnasium application process and may require assessment or early enquiry. Places in popular bilingual classes can be limited, so begin enquiries well before your arrival, register with the ABI (city education) service and contact individual schools about waiting lists and placement tests.
What language support is available for children who do not speak German?
Bilingual schools in Graz teach in both English and German and commonly provide German-as-a-foreign-language (DaF/DaZ) classes or afternoon language support to help newcomers integrate. Many schools also run mother-tongue or additional language lessons and partnership programmes; parents should ask schools about the intensity of German support and how the school prepares non-German speakers for national assessments and progression to upper secondary.
What should relocating families look for when comparing the international options in Graz?
Check the language balance (how many hours are taught in English versus German), whether the school provides a continuous pathway through to secondary and to any IB programmes, and the availability of DaF/DaZ support and after-school care. Also confirm practical matters such as application deadlines, transport or catchment rules, additional costs (meals, excursions, assessment fees) and whether the school is authorised for the IB if that qualification matters to your family.
