Moving to the Netherlands With Children

Schools, healthcare, costs and Israeli community in the Netherlands for relocating families.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-04
Schools Abroad
Excellent public and international schools; English-medium universities.
Family Healthcare
Mandatory private insurance (~EUR 150/month); government subsidies available.
Childcare Costs
Amsterdam is expensive; other Dutch cities are moderate.

Moving to the Netherlands With Children

The Netherlands is highly family-friendly, with excellent international schools, English widely spoken, and a strong expat infrastructure in Amsterdam.

Schools

Public schools are free and taught in Dutch. An extensive network of international schools in Amsterdam and The Hague teach in English, IB, and other curricula. International school fees run €6,000–€22,000/year. A Jewish day school (Cheider) operates in Amsterdam.

Healthcare

The Dutch system requires mandatory health insurance (Zorgverzekering). Premiums are approximately €130–€160/month per adult; children under 18 are free. Care quality is high.

Childcare & Daycare

Childcare (kinderopvang) costs €8–€11/hour, but the government childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag) substantially reduces costs for working parents. Register for kinderopvangtoeslag as soon as employment begins.

Israeli Community

Amsterdam has a historic and active Jewish community of approximately 15,000 people. The Jewish quarter, synagogues, and Israeli restaurants are concentrated in the city center, with an active Israeli social scene.

Practical Tips

  • Register with the municipality (BRP registration) immediately upon arrival.
  • Bike culture is strong. Get bikes for the whole family from day one.
  • Amsterdam's housing market is very competitive and expensive.