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Affordable International Schools in Brussels, Belgium

Edited by · Chief Marketing Officer

About international schools in Brussels, Belgium

In Brussels, “affordable” international options are typically the European Schools, national-system international schools (French, German, Japanese) and a number of smaller IB or bilingual schools rather than the large private campuses with high fees. Families will commonly find curricula that include the International Baccalaureate, British (IGCSE/A-Level), and national programmes, with English as the dominant medium alongside strong French and Dutch provision and many bilingual tracks. Annual costs for the more affordable international options are often in the low thousands to mid-teens of thousands of euros, while the biggest private internationals charge substantially more. Most schools have their busiest intake for a September start, so families usually begin enquiring and applying 6 - 12 months ahead; private schools often run rolling admissions whereas European Schools operate formal annual enrolment phases with priority categories. Practical steps for relocating families are to prepare recent school reports and ID documents, ask about language assessment and any sibling priority, and plan daily transport since campuses are spread across Brussels and its suburbs.

Compare 15 Affordable international schools in Brussels, Belgium. Filter by curriculum, fees (average EUR 9,308), location, and more to find the right international school now.

At a glance 15 schools · avg fee EUR 9,308
Schools listed
15
Curricula
12
Average annual fee
EUR 9,308
Fee range
EUR 4,285 – 16,068
Most common curriculum
Bespoke Curriculum (9 schools)
Average school size
1,663 pupils
Largest by enrolment
European School Brussels I - Uccle
Oldest
Lycée Français Jean Monnet (1907)
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FAQs for Belgium

What does “affordable” usually mean for international schools in Brussels?
In Brussels it generally refers to schools with annual fees much lower than the large private internationals - examples include the European Schools for eligible EU staff and several national-system international schools and smaller IB or bilingual schools. Reported fee ranges for these more affordable options commonly start from around €4,000 per year up to the mid-teens of thousands, depending on age and whether the family qualifies for subsidised rates. Families should check each school’s published fee schedule and any eligibility rules that reduce the cost.
Which curricula will my child be able to follow at affordable international schools in Brussels?
Affordable international options in Brussels typically offer the International Baccalaureate, national curricula (for example French or German), and some British (Cambridge/IGCSE) or bilingual programmes; the European Schools deliver the European Baccalaureate. The precise offer varies by school - some smaller schools provide the full IB continuum while national schools prepare pupils for their country’s diploma. Verify which programme is taught at each campus and how it maps to your home country’s qualifications.
What language(s) of instruction should I expect?
English is the common language of instruction at most international schools, but many affordable schools in Brussels run bilingual tracks or strong provision in French and Dutch, and national-system schools teach primarily in their national language. European Schools are explicitly multilingual, organised into language sections, and most international schools also offer mother-tongue or additional language support. Ask each school how quickly they can provide language support if your child’s primary language differs from the classroom language.
When should we start the application process and how competitive are places?
Begin researching and making enquiries roughly 6 - 12 months before a planned September start because key year groups fill first; many private internationals accept rolling applications but popular cohorts still close early. European Schools follow an annual enrolment calendar with priority categories (for example children of EU staff), and waiting lists are common at established schools, especially for secondary entry. Contact admissions teams early, ask about sibling priority and assessment dates, and be ready with required documents to improve your chances.
What documents and assessments are typically required for admission?
Schools commonly ask for recent school reports (usually the last two years), a passport or birth certificate, proof of residence or visa status where relevant, and a completed application form plus any registration fee. Older children are usually given a language check or academic assessment and some schools request a teacher reference or interview; European Schools and larger private schools publish specific lists of required paperwork and deadlines. Check each school’s admissions page for the exact checklist and allow time to obtain translated or certified documents if needed.