International Schools in Sweden: Complete Guide & Costs

For expat families, choosing the right school is one of the biggest decisions when moving to Sweden. International schools offer English-language education, internationally recognized curricula, and communities familiar with expat life. This guide covers everything you need to know about international schools in Sweden.

Overview of International Schools in Sweden

There are now approximately 24 true international schools (offering non-Swedish curricula) operating in Sweden—a number that has roughly doubled over the last decade, driven by growing expat communities in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö.

What Are International Schools?

Schools offering non-Swedish curricula:

Aspect	Details
Language	Primarily English
Curriculum	IB, British, American, or other
Students	Mix of expats and Swedes
Focus	International education
Recognition	Internationally recognized diplomas

Why Choose an International School?

Reason	Benefit
Language continuity	Child continues in English
Curriculum continuity	Same system as previous school
Future mobility	Easier transitions to other countries
University preparation	IB widely recognized
Expat community	Similar backgrounds
Cultural understanding	Global perspective

Types of International Schools

Type	Description
IB World Schools	International Baccalaureate program
British curriculum	UK national curriculum
American curriculum	US-style education
Bilingual schools	English + Swedish
European schools	EU curriculum

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Costs of International Schools

Fee Structure

International schools charge tuition:

Fee Type	Typical Range
Application fee	1,000-3,000 SEK
Registration/enrollment fee	25,000-60,000 SEK (one-time, top-tier schools now often charge up to 60,000 SEK)
Annual tuition	100,000-250,000+ SEK
Building/capital fee	5,000-30,000 SEK
Lunch	15,000-25,000 SEK/year
Materials/books	3,000-10,000 SEK/year

Skolpeng (municipal subsidy) important note: Swedish residents who are folkbokförd (registered) are entitled to a municipal school voucher (skolpeng) that independent schools receive on their behalf—effectively reducing the net tuition cost. Families without a Swedish personnummer or who are not folkbokförd do not qualify for this subsidy. At top-tier schools like Stockholm International School (SIS), this means unregistered families may pay significantly higher effective fees. Confirm your eligibility with the school before enrolling.

Sample Annual Costs by Level

Level	Annual Tuition Range
Preschool (3-5)	80,000-150,000 SEK
Primary (6-11)	120,000-180,000 SEK
Secondary (12-15)	150,000-220,000 SEK
Diploma/High School (16-18)	180,000-280,000 SEK

Additional Costs

Cost	Amount
Uniforms	3,000-8,000 SEK
Field trips	5,000-20,000 SEK
Sports/activities	Variable
After-school care	15,000-40,000 SEK/year
School bus	20,000-50,000 SEK/year
IB exam fees	~8,000 SEK

Who Pays?

Situation	Common Arrangement
Employer package	Often included in relocation
Self-funded	Full cost to family
Partial support	Employer contributes portion

Many expats receive education benefits as part of their relocation package.

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IB (International Baccalaureate) Schools

What is the IB?

Three programs for different ages:

Program	Age	Focus
PYP (Primary Years)	3-12	Inquiry-based learning
MYP (Middle Years)	11-16	Holistic education
DP (Diploma Programme)	16-19	Pre-university

Benefits of IB

Benefit	Details
Global recognition	Accepted worldwide
University preparation	Strong academic foundation
Critical thinking	Emphasis on inquiry
Balanced education	Academic, creative, physical
International mindedness	Global perspective

IB Diploma Recognition

Country	IB Status
Sweden	Recognized for university entry
UK	Widely accepted
USA	Accepted, with credit possible
EU	Generally recognized
Worldwide	Most universities accept

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Major International Schools by City

Stockholm Area

Stockholm International School (SIS)

Aspect	Details
Location	Johannesgatan (central)
Curriculum	IB (PYP, MYP, DP)
Ages	3-18
Language	English
Students	~700
Tuition	~150,000-220,000 SEK/year

Notes: One of Sweden's oldest and most established international schools. Central location, strong academic reputation.

International School of Stockholm (ISS)

Aspect	Details
Location	Johanneshov
Curriculum	IB (PYP, MYP)
Ages	3-15
Language	English
Tuition	~130,000-180,000 SEK/year

Internationella Engelska Skolan (IES)

Aspect	Details
Locations	Multiple across Stockholm
Curriculum	Swedish National Curriculum (Lgr22) with English profile
Ages	6-16
Language	50% English, 50% Swedish
Cost	Free (public school)
Waiting list	Long

Notes: Public bilingual school—free but very competitive. Follows Swedish Lgr22 curriculum, not IB. Not recommended for families planning to relocate internationally who need curriculum continuity.

British International Primary School (BIPS)

Aspect	Details
Location	Djursholm
Curriculum	British National Curriculum
Ages	3-11
Language	English
Tuition	~100,000-150,000 SEK/year

Enskilda Gymnasiet

Aspect	Details
Location	Stockholm
Curriculum	IB DP
Ages	16-19
Language	English
Tuition	~100,000-150,000 SEK/year

Other Stockholm Options

School	Curriculum	Ages
Kungsholmens Gymnasium	IB DP (public)	16-19
Internationella Engelska Gymnasiet	IB DP	16-19
Campus Manilla	IB	Various
French School of Stockholm	French	3-18
German School Stockholm	German	3-18

Gothenburg Area

International School of the Gothenburg Region (ISGR)

Aspect	Details
Location	Guldheden
Curriculum	IB (PYP, MYP, DP)
Ages	3-19
Language	English
Students	~600
Tuition	~130,000-190,000 SEK/year

Notes: Main international school for Gothenburg, full IB continuum.

Internationella Engelska Skolan Gothenburg

Aspect	Details
Locations	Multiple
Curriculum	Swedish (English profile)
Ages	6-16
Language	50% English
Cost	Free

Other Gothenburg Options

School	Curriculum	Ages
Hvitfeldtska Gymnasiet	IB DP (public)	16-19
French School of Gothenburg	French	Various

Malmö Area

Malmö International School

Aspect	Details
Location	Malmö
Curriculum	IB (PYP, MYP)
Ages	3-16
Language	English
Tuition	~120,000-160,000 SEK/year

Bladins International School

Aspect	Details
Location	Malmö
Curriculum	IB (PYP, MYP, DP)
Ages	3-19
Language	English
Students	~400
Tuition	~120,000-180,000 SEK/year

Copenhagen Options (from Malmö)

School	Notes
Copenhagen International School	Accessible via Öresund Bridge
Various Copenhagen schools	30-40 min commute

Other Cities

City	School	Curriculum
Uppsala	Uppsala International School	IB
Linköping	Internationella Engelska Skolan	English profile
Helsingborg	Internationella Engelska Skolan	English profile

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Free English-Language Education Options

Internationella Engelska Skolan (IES)

Public school with English focus:

Aspect	Details
Cost	Free
Curriculum	Swedish National Curriculum (Lgr22) with English profile
Locations	~40 schools across Sweden
Ages	6-16 (some 16-19)
Application	Lottery/queue system
Demand	Very high

Pros:

• Free
• Strong English component
• Swedish diploma

Cons:

• Long waiting lists
• Not full English immersion
• Follows Swedish National Curriculum (Lgr22), not the IB — this matters if your family plans to move again and needs international curriculum continuity

Key distinction for mobile expats: IES is a bilingual Swedish school, not a true international school. If your child may transfer to a school abroad, a Swedish Lgr22 diploma may not transfer as smoothly as an IB credential. For curriculum continuity, prioritize IB World Schools like SIS or ISGR.

Public Schools with IB

Some public gymnasiums offer IB:

School	City	Cost
Kungsholmens Gymnasium	Stockholm	Free
Hvitfeldtska Gymnasiet	Gothenburg	Free
Malmö Borgarskola	Malmö	Free
Norra Real	Stockholm	Free

Requirements: Usually require Swedish language proficiency and strong academics.

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Admission Process

Typical Timeline

Stage	When
Research	1 year before start
Applications	6-12 months before
Assessments	3-6 months before
Offers	2-4 months before
Enrollment	1-2 months before
Start	August/September

Application Requirements

Document	Details
Application form	School-specific
School reports	2-3 years of records
Recommendation letters	From current school
Birth certificate	Copy
Passport copies	Parent and child
Photos	Passport-style
Health records	Immunization, etc.

Assessment Process

Assessment Type	What It Involves
Academic testing	Math, English, reasoning
Interviews	Child and/or parents
Trial days	Spending time in class
Portfolio	For some programs

Admission Factors

Factor	Weight
Academic ability	High
English proficiency	High
Previous education	Moderate
Sibling status	Often priority
Application timing	Important

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Comparing Options

International vs. Swedish School

Factor	International	Swedish Public
Cost	100,000-250,000 SEK	Free
Language	English	Swedish
Curriculum	IB/British/American	Swedish
Class size	15-22	25-30
Diversity	Very international	Mixed
University prep	Global options	Swedish focus
Swedish learning	Limited	Full immersion

When to Choose International

Situation	International School May Be Best
Short-term stay	Less than 3 years in Sweden
Frequent moves	Global mobile family
Older children	Harder to learn Swedish late
IB preference	Want IB diploma
University abroad	Planning non-Swedish university

When to Choose Swedish

Situation	Swedish School May Be Best
Long-term stay	Planning to stay 5+ years
Young children	Will learn Swedish easily
Integration	Want full Swedish integration
Cost	Cannot afford international
Local university	Planning Swedish university

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Swedish Language Considerations

At International Schools

Approach	Details
Swedish as subject	Usually offered
Swedish as additional language	For non-native speakers
Integration	Limited exposure to Swedish
Level achieved	Basic to intermediate

Impact on Integration

Consideration	Reality
Friend circles	Often other expats
Cultural knowledge	Less deep
Language fluency	Usually limited
Future options	May need Swedish later

Supporting Swedish Learning

Strategy	Details
Extra Swedish classes	Tutoring, SFI
Swedish activities	Sports, hobbies
Swedish playdates	Local friends
Swedish media	TV, books, games

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The School Day

Typical Schedule

Time	Activity
8:00-8:30	Arrival
8:30-10:00	Morning lessons
10:00-10:30	Break
10:30-12:00	Mid-morning lessons
12:00-13:00	Lunch
13:00-15:00	Afternoon lessons
15:00-15:30	End of day (younger)
15:00-16:00	End of day (older)

After-School Programs

Program	Details
Extended day	Care until 17:00-18:00
Activities	Sports, arts, clubs
Homework help	Often available
Holiday programs	During school breaks

Holidays

Holiday	Approximate Length
Autumn break	1 week (October)
Christmas	2-3 weeks
Sport week	1 week (February)
Easter	1-2 weeks
Summer	10 weeks (June-August)

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Practical Considerations

Transportation

Option	Details
School bus	Many schools offer (paid)
Public transport	SL card for students
Parent drop-off	Common
Biking	From age 10+ often

Lunch

Aspect	Details
Provided	Usually included
Cost	Extra fee or included
Quality	Varies by school
Dietary needs	Accommodated

Uniforms

Policy	Details
Formal uniform	Some British schools
Dress code	Most have guidelines
PE kit	Usually required

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Making the Decision

Questions to Ask Schools

Question	Why Important
What is your curriculum?	Understand what child learns
Class sizes?	Individual attention
Student-teacher ratio?	Support available
University acceptance rates?	Academic outcomes
Extracurricular activities?	Holistic development
Swedish language program?	Integration potential
How do you support new students?	Transition help
What is the school community like?	Parent involvement

Questions to Ask Yourself

Question	Consider
How long will we stay?	Affects school choice
What are our priorities?	Academics, integration, community
What can we afford?	Budget constraints
Where do we live/work?	Commute matters
What does our child need?	Learning style, support
University plans?	Swedish vs. international

Visiting Schools

What to Look For	Why
Atmosphere	How does it feel?
Facilities	Quality of environment
Student engagement	Are kids engaged?
Teacher interaction	How staff treat students
Diversity	Is it truly international?
Your instinct	Trust your feeling

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Transitioning to/from International School

Moving to International School

Challenge	Solution
Curriculum differences	Schools assess and support
Social adjustment	International community helps
Language (if from Swedish)	English support available

Moving to Swedish School

Challenge	Solution
Swedish language	Intensive Swedish support (modersmål)
Curriculum differences	Schools help transition
Social integration	Takes time

Between International Schools

Factor	Generally Smoother
IB to IB	Continuous curriculum
Same language	No language barrier
International experience	Familiar with transitions

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Financial Planning

Total Cost Estimation

Annual budget for one child (middle estimate):

Cost	Amount
Tuition	170,000 SEK
Lunch	20,000 SEK
Materials	5,000 SEK
After-school	25,000 SEK
Transport	15,000 SEK
Activities	10,000 SEK
Total	~245,000 SEK

Multiple Children

Children	Approximate Annual Cost
1 child	200,000-280,000 SEK
2 children	380,000-520,000 SEK
3 children	540,000-720,000 SEK

Many schools offer sibling discounts (5-15%).

Payment Options

Option	Details
Monthly	Divided into 10-12 payments
Termly	2-3 payments per year
Annually	Sometimes discounted
Employer	Direct company payment

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Special Needs Support

Availability

Support Type	Availability
Learning support	Most schools offer
English as additional language	Standard
Educational assessments	Available
Special education	Varies by school

Questions to Ask

Question	Important For
What support is available?	Understanding options
Additional costs?	Budget planning
Staff qualifications?	Quality of support
Integration approach?	How child is included

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does international school cost?

Typically 100,000-250,000 SEK per year, plus additional fees for lunch, materials, activities.

Are there free English-language schools?

Internationella Engelska Skolan (IES) is free but has long waiting lists. Some public gymnasiums offer IB programs for free.

Will my child learn Swedish at international school?

Swedish is typically offered as a subject, but immersion is limited. Most students reach basic-intermediate level.

Is the IB recognized for Swedish universities?

Yes. The IB Diploma is fully recognized by Swedish universities.

When should I apply?

12+ months before your intended start date is ideal, especially for popular schools.

Can my child start mid-year?

Many schools accept mid-year entries if spaces are available.

What if my child doesn't speak English well?

Many schools offer English as Additional Language (EAL) support for non-native speakers.

Are international school qualifications recognized globally?

Yes. IB and most international curricula are recognized worldwide for university admission.

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Summary

Key Takeaways

1. Cost: 100,000-250,000+ SEK/year (free options exist with waiting lists)
2. Options: IB, British, American, bilingual curricula available
3. Location: Best selection in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö
4. Apply early: 6-12 months before intended start
5. Consider long-term: Match choice to your plans
6. Swedish integration: Limited at most international schools

Your Decision Checklist

Consider:

• Length of stay in Sweden
• Budget (or employer package)
• Child's current education level
• Language needs
• Location and commute
• University plans
• Integration goals

Research:

• Schools in your area
• Curriculum options
• Costs and fees
• Application deadlines
• Visit schools

Apply:

• Gather documents
• Submit applications
• Complete assessments
• Accept offer
• Prepare for start

International schools in Sweden offer excellent education with global perspectives. Choose based on your family's specific needs, timeline, and goals—there's no one-size-fits-all answer.

Lycka till!

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Related Guides:

• Swedish Public Schools for Expat Kids - Alternative option
• Childcare in Sweden: Förskola - Before school age
• Having Kids in Sweden: Parental Leave - Family benefits
• Cost of Living in Sweden 2026 - Budget planning