Luxembourg’s international schools sit inside a heavily multilingual national context: Luxembourgish, French and German shape the wider school system, while international and European schools teach largely in English, French or German and add Luxembourgish as a taught language. Families can choose state-run international sections, two European Schools with language-section allocation, British/Cambridge routes and private schools that follow the International Baccalaureate or national curricula from other countries. Fees vary widely: several state international options and the European Schools are effectively free or low-cost for qualifying pupils but have limited places and waiting lists, while private schools commonly charge annual tuition in the mid-thousands to tens of thousands of euros and sometimes add capital or development levies. Admissions follow the normal school year, with most new intake in September, so parents usually start enquiries many months - or up to a year - ahead; the European Schools publish specific application windows each spring and many private schools use tests or interviews for older children.
What curricula and languages will my child encounter at international schools in Luxembourg?
You will find a mix: International Baccalaureate programmes are widely available, some schools teach the English National (Cambridge) curriculum, and the two European Schools lead to the European Baccalaureate. Instruction is commonly in English, French or German, with Luxembourgish taught as a language subject; many schools also offer additional modern-language tuition and support for newly arrived pupils.
How much do international schools in Luxembourg cost?
Costs vary a lot by provider. Several state-run international sections and the European Schools are free or low-cost for eligible pupils but have restricted places; private international schools typically charge annual tuition ranging from the mid-thousands of euros up to over €20,000 a year in the largest schools, and some also levy one-off capital fees, annual development levies or charges for exams and trips.
When should we apply and what does the admissions process look like?
Most schools admit new pupils at the start of the school year in September, so families commonly begin enquiries many months in advance and may apply up to a year before intended entry. The European Schools run defined application windows in late winter or early spring each year and use allocation rules that give priority to staff of EU institutions; many private schools operate rolling enquiries but use written assessments, interviews or placement tests for older children and maintain waiting lists.
Can a child join the Luxembourg public school system later if we start in an international school?
Transition is possible but depends on the child’s age and language skills: the Luxembourg public system uses a staged multilingual model (Luxembourgish, German and French) and requires varying levels of French, German or English for entry to some cycles. Schools and the Ministry’s welcome services offer integration support and reception classes for newly arrived pupils, but parents should plan language tuition and check how a chosen international curriculum maps to the national pathway if local-school transfer may be needed later.
What practical factors should we compare when choosing a school in Luxembourg?
Compare curricula and how they align with your family’s future plans (IB, national certificates or the European Baccalaureate), the languages taught and progression routes, total annual cost including extra levies, class size and pastoral support, and practicalities such as location, transport and school hours. Also check accreditation (for example IB or Cambridge accreditation), admissions criteria and waiting-list procedures, and whether the school offers arrival support or language classes for non-native speakers.
