AI-generated ExpatTurtle illustration created specifically for this Dutch school-system guide. Marked “AI image”.
Netherlands · Schools · Last verified September 29, 2026
The Dutch school system is easier to navigate once you separate three questions: your child’s age, the type of school they need, and the local admission rules where you live. Children can start primary school at age 4 and must attend school from age 5. After primary school, the main secondary routes are VMBO, HAVO and VWO.
Quick answer for international parents
- Age 4: children may start Dutch primary school.
- Age 5: school attendance becomes compulsory.
- Primary school: most children attend for about 8 years.
- Secondary school: the main routes are VMBO, HAVO and VWO.
- School choice: admissions, catchment arrangements, waiting lists and lotteries can vary by municipality and school board.
- International options: internationally oriented primary education and private international/foreign schools exist, but availability is location-specific.
Dutch school ages: when does school actually start?
According to the Government of the Netherlands, children may attend primary school from age 4. From age 5, they must attend school. Most children spend eight years in primary education before moving to secondary education.
This distinction matters if you move with a 4-year-old: starting school is normal, but the legal compulsory-attendance requirement begins at 5. If your child is already school-age when you arrive, contact schools quickly rather than waiting for every other relocation task to be finished.
Primary school: basisschool
Dutch primary education is called basisonderwijs, and a primary school is a basisschool. Government guidance distinguishes public-authority schools, private schools based on religious or ideological principles, non-denominational private schools built around a particular educational approach, and special education options.
Public-authority schools are open to all children. Other schools can have a religious, ideological or educational identity. That means “the nearest school” is not automatically the only meaningful choice; philosophy, support needs, language environment, location and admission availability can all matter.
International and English-language primary options
Some Dutch schools offer internationally oriented primary education, usually called IGBO. Government.nl says these programmes can serve children of internationally mobile families, including children of expats living or working in the Netherlands for an extended period. IGBO departments are affiliated with Dutch primary schools and teach in English.
The Netherlands also has international and foreign schools outside the IGBO model. These are not the same as ordinary Dutch public schools, and the funding, admission and fee arrangements can differ. Check the individual school directly before assuming a place, language pathway or cost.
What happens after primary school?
After primary education, pupils move into one of three main secondary routes:
| Route | Typical length | Main direction |
|---|---|---|
| VMBO | 4 years | Pre-vocational secondary education, usually leading toward MBO or in some cases HAVO |
| HAVO | 5 years | Senior general secondary education, designed primarily as preparation for HBO |
| VWO | 6 years | Pre-university education, designed primarily as preparation for university |
For international families, the important point is not to treat these as simple “good, better, best” school labels. They are different educational routes. Secondary-school admission decisions take account of the primary school’s advice and the child’s educational record.
How school registration works for newcomers
For primary school registration, Government.nl says you normally provide your child’s BSN, supported by a birth certificate, passport or identity document. If the child is transferring from another school, proof of deregistration from the old school may also be required.
For secondary school, a BSN and proof of identity are also part of the registration process. Importantly for very recent arrivals, Government.nl says that if a child does not yet have a BSN, the school can provide a temporary education number while the family completes BRP registration and obtains the BSN.
If you still need to arrange municipal registration, see our guide: Register in the Netherlands & Get a BSN.
Can you choose any school?
Not always. School choice can be shaped by local arrangements. Government guidance says some municipalities and school boards use agreements about how pupils are distributed, and some schools use waiting lists or may be full. At secondary level, local rules can also include central registration arrangements or draws for admission.
For primary schools, sibling priority or neighbourhood rules may apply in some places. The safest approach is to check both the school and your municipality rather than relying on advice from another Dutch city.
What if your child needs extra support?
Dutch schools have a duty of care when a child needs additional support. If the school you approach cannot provide the right support, it should work with you to look for another suitable placement, which may be another mainstream school or special education.
A practical school-choice checklist after you move
- Confirm your child’s age and current education level.
- Check whether you want Dutch-language, internationally oriented or another international-school route.
- Ask the municipality whether local placement, catchment or lottery rules apply.
- Contact several suitable schools if waiting lists are common in your area.
- Prepare identity documents and the child’s BSN if available.
- Bring school records and proof of deregistration from the previous school when relevant.
- Tell the school early about language-learning or additional-support needs.
- For secondary-age children, ask how prior schooling will be assessed and which route is being considered.
Common mistake: copying another city’s school process
The national education structure is broadly consistent, but admission logistics can be local. A waiting-list system, catchment rule or registration process used in Amsterdam may not be the same one you encounter elsewhere. Always confirm the practical procedure with the school and municipality where you actually live.
Official sources checked
- Government of the Netherlands — Primary education
- Government of the Netherlands — Registering a child with a primary school
- Government of the Netherlands — Types of primary school
- Government of the Netherlands — Secondary education
- Government of the Netherlands — Registering at secondary school
- Government of the Netherlands — VMBO
- Government of the Netherlands — HAVO and VWO
Verification date: September 29, 2026. School admission and placement procedures can vary by municipality and school board, so confirm local steps before relying on a process from another city.
← Netherlands hub · More living guides · Municipality registration & BSN · How we research
