Education (-18 y.o.)
School systems rarely look the same from one country to the next, and Belgium's - with its own structure, terminology, and registration process - can feel unfamiliar at first. The good news is that education in Flanders is well organised, largely free, and open to every child living in the region, regardless of nationality.
This page walks you through how the system is structured, how to choose a school, and how to register your child.
Overview
Education in Flanders is organised into clear stages by age, is taught mainly in Dutch in mainstream schools, and is free in mainstream schools though schools may ask a contribution for books, materials, or activities.
The biggest early decision for most families is whether to enrol in a mainstream Dutch-language school or an international school, a choice worth making early, since it can affect language learning, social integration, and school availability.
How the Flemish system is structured
Flemish education is generally divided into three stages:
- Nursery education (kleuteronderwijs) - from around age 2.5 to 6, focused on play-based learning and language exposure.
- Primary education (lager onderwijs) - from age 6 to around 12, covering core subjects and building Dutch language skills.
- Secondary education (secundair onderwijs) - from around age 12 to 18, split into different tracks depending on a student's interests and academic direction.
Schools in Flanders belong to different networks, all funded or subsidised by the Flemish government and all following the same Flemish attainment targets (eindtermen):
- GO! schools - run by the Flemish Community, religiously neutral.
- Official subsidised schools - run by cities, municipalities, or provinces.
- Free subsidised schools - mostly Catholic schools, which form the largest network in Flanders. Religion class is part of the curriculum, but in practice most schools take a very open approach and welcome children of all backgrounds and religions.
- Method schools - such as Freinet, Steiner (Waldorf), and Montessori schools, which exist within the networks above and follow alternative teaching approaches.
In practice, quality is comparable across networks; families usually choose based on location, approach, and atmosphere rather than network.
Compulsory education
Education is compulsory in Belgium from age 5 to 18. From age 16, students can combine part-time learning with work-based training. In practice, most children start school around age 2.5–3, since nursery education is widely used and free.
It is education that is compulsory, not school attendance - home schooling is legally possible but rare.)
Choosing between mainstream and international schools
- Mainstream Dutch-language schools are the default option, free of charge, and the fastest way for children to integrate socially and learn Dutch.
- International schools teach mainly in English or another language and often follow an international curriculum.,
- Bilingual or partially international programmes also exist within some Flemish schools, combining Dutch-language teaching with additional English-language support.
- Availability of both mainstream and international options varies by city - larger cities such as Bruges and Kortrijk tend to have more choice than smaller municipalities.
International schools are usually smaller, may have admissions requirements or waiting lists, and can follow a different holiday calendar than local Flemish schools. Because exact school options and admissions change from year to year, it's worth checking directly with IHWF or your municipality for the current list of schools in your area.
Registering your child
- Check the registration system in your city - some cities use a central digital registration system (aanmelden) with fixed registration periods; elsewhere you contact the school directly. Popular schools can fill up, especially in bigger cities.
- Register at your municipality if you haven't already, since your address matters for school allocation.
- Bring identification documents for your child, and any previous school records if you have them.
If your child needs extra language or learning support, mention this during registration so the school can plan accordingly — newcomers can often join a welcome class (OKAN) in secondary school to learn Dutch first.
Costs
Education itself is free in mainstream schools: there is no tuition fee for nursery, primary, or secondary education. Schools may ask a contribution for things like books, copies, school trips, or in secondary school a laptop. In nursery and primary education this contribution is capped by the Flemish government (the maximumfactuur); in secondary school costs vary more by school and study track. Families with lower incomes may be entitled to a school allowance (schooltoeslag), which is granted automatically in most cases.
International schools charge tuition fees, which vary widely per school, check directly with the school for current rates.
Good to know: if your child doesn't speak Dutch yet, don't wait to enrol until they do - schools are used to welcoming international children, and language support is usually built into the first months.
