Schooling is often one of the most decisive variables in the decision to move abroad. Many families choose their destination, their neighbourhood, and their overall budget based on the available school options. Yet the concrete choices, their real costs, and their educational implications are often poorly understood before departure. This guide lays out the four main solutions in 2026.

The four main schooling options

Local public school

The public school system in the host country is free in almost every country in the world. For expat families settling in a country with a solid education system, it is often the simplest and most enriching solution, particularly for young children.

Language immersion is total and rapid, especially before the age of 10. Research on language acquisition consistently shows that children schooled in a foreign language before adolescence reach near-native proficiency within 12 to 24 months. Social integration is also facilitated: the child mixes with the same peers as in the neighbourhood, and extracurricular activities happen in the same language.

Conditions for it to work well:

  • An expatriation of at least 2 to 3 years (below that, the pedagogical disruption costs outweigh the real linguistic benefit)
  • A local education system of acceptable quality (which is the case in Europe, Canada, Australia, and many Asian countries)
  • Strong family support in French to maintain the mother tongue

Limitations to anticipate: the curriculum gap on return to France can be significant, especially after year 5 or 6. The French curriculum (particularly in mathematics and spelling) has no direct equivalent in most foreign systems. Supplementary French tutoring is strongly recommended, even at a modest level.

Cost: free (school supplies, canteen and extracurricular activities depending on the country, typically €200-800/year).

Private international school

Private international schools are present in every major city in the world. The majority operate in English and offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, the British curriculum (A-Levels), or the American system (High School Diploma). A few institutions offer other programmes (German, Japanese, etc.).

The main advantage is continuity: a child schooled at an international school in Dubai can join an equivalent school in Singapore or Montreal without a major pedagogical disruption. It is the preferred solution for expat families who move countries regularly.

Pedagogical quality is generally high, with small class sizes, often native English-speaking teachers, and first-rate facilities. English proficiency quickly reaches an excellent level, which is an asset in an international academic path.

Real costs in 2026 by region:

RegionAnnual fees per child
Western Europe€8,000-20,000
Dubai / UAE€7,000-22,000
South-East Asia (Bangkok, KL)€5,000-18,000
Canada (Toronto, Vancouver)€12,000-25,000
Latin America€4,000-12,000

These figures are indicative. The most sought-after institutions (IB World Schools, premium British curriculum) sit at the top of these ranges. Additional fees (enrolment fees, annual registration, uniforms, activities) can add €1,000 to €3,000 per child per year.

Waiting lists are a real issue in heavily expat cities: in Dubai in particular, several British schools have waiting lists of 12 to 18 months. Register well before departure, ideally as soon as the destination is confirmed.

The French AEFE network and French schools abroad

The Agence pour l’Enseignement Français à l’Étranger (AEFE) manages a network of nearly 580 schools in 138 countries. It is the official French state system for schooling French expat children, or any family wishing to follow the French national curriculum taught in French.

Network establishments fall into three categories:

  • Directly managed (EGD): managed directly by the AEFE, around 75 institutions. Moderate tuition fees and access to scholarships.
  • Conventionned establishments: managed by parent associations or legal entities, linked to the AEFE by agreement. Around 160 institutions.
  • Partner establishments: accredited by the French Ministry of Education but without a direct financial link to the AEFE. More than 340 institutions.

The main advantage is full continuity with the French curriculum: a child at the French lycée in Barcelona or Lisbon follows exactly the same programme as in France, sits the same exams, and can re-enter a French school without losing a year. For families planning to return to France, this is often the most reassuring option.

Real costs in 2026: fees vary considerably by institution and country. Indicative figures:

  • French lycée Madrid: €3,500-6,500/year depending on level
  • French lycée Lisbon: €2,800-5,500/year
  • French lycée Dubai: €6,000-10,000/year
  • French lycée Montreal: €4,500-7,500/year
  • French lycée Bangkok: €5,000-8,000/year

These amounts are public and updated on each institution’s website. For the most accessible destinations (Portugal, Spain), fees remain reasonable compared to English-language international schools.

AEFE scholarships: French families living abroad can apply for school grants through the AEFE grants department, via the Conseillers des Français de l’Étranger. Applications are submitted via service-public.fr before 31 January for the following school year. Grants are calculated on household income and can cover a significant share of fees in directly managed institutions. In 2024-2025, the AEFE awarded approximately €115 million in grants to nearly 27,000 pupils.

CNED distance learning

The Centre National d’Enseignement à Distance (CNED) offers regulated distance learning from nursery school through to the final year of secondary school (terminale), fully aligned with the French national curriculum. It is the preferred solution for highly mobile families, children in areas without a French school, or families in transition between countries.

CNED allows great geographic flexibility: the child can follow their curriculum from any country in the world, provided there is an internet connection and a family framework capable of providing day-to-day educational support. This is a significant parental commitment.

2026 costs (regulated CNED):

  • Nursery: approximately €400-600/year
  • Primary school: €600-900/year
  • Middle school (collège): €900-1,400/year
  • Upper secondary (lycée): €1,200-1,800/year

These fees are well below those of physical institutions. CNED also offers a “class” format for children with specific needs or medical situations, with more personalised supervision.

The main limitation of CNED is socialisation: the child has no classmates in the traditional sense. Families who use it over several years typically combine CNED with local activities (sport, clubs) to compensate. This schooling model does not suit children who need a structured environment outside the home.

Decision criteria: how to choose

The right solution depends on several combined factors:

The children’s age is the first filter. Before 8-9 years old, immersion in the local school is generally well experienced and very linguistically effective. Past middle school, switching systems can be destabilising, particularly in exam years. For families arriving with a child in a pivotal year (brevet, baccalauréat), the French lycée often becomes the only realistic option.

The length of the posting changes everything. For a 1 to 2-year stay, the disruption cost often outweighs the benefit: an international school or the French lycée maintains continuity. For a 5-year-plus relocation, the local school becomes a serious option.

The plan to return to France should be factored in from the start. Without a planned return, the flexibility of an international school or local immersion can take priority. With a certain return before secondary school, the AEFE network or CNED avoids a difficult re-entry.

Budget is often the limiting factor for families without employer support. An international school at €15,000 per child per year equals €30,000 for two children — more than many families’ net annual salary. In that case, the French lycée (more affordable), CNED or the local public school become realistic alternatives.

Language also matters: if you are settling in an English-speaking country or want your children to reach bilingual English level, an English-language international school is a powerful accelerator. For French-speaking or Spanish-speaking destinations, the local school may be sufficient.

Comparing the four options

Option Indicative annual cost Language French curriculum continuity Ideal for
Local public school Free (€200-800 ancillary costs) Host country language None Young children, long stays, full integration
Private international school €5,000-25,000 English (mainly) Low (IB differs from French bac) Multi-country mobility, international path
French lycée (AEFE) €2,800-10,000 (grants available) French Full (national curriculum) Return to France planned, secondary school
CNED distance learning €400-1,800 French Full Nomads, areas without French schools, transitions

The shifted school calendar in the southern hemisphere

If you are moving to Australia, New Zealand, Argentina or Chile, anticipate the calendar difference. In the southern hemisphere, the school year starts in January-February and ends in November-December. A child leaving France in September for Melbourne arrives mid-way through the Australian school year, which complicates integration into an already-formed class.

French-accredited schools in these countries follow the northern hemisphere calendar (September start), which can be an additional advantage of the AEFE network for these destinations. CNED also follows the French calendar.

Pitfalls to avoid

Waiting lists at top international schools are the number-one trap for expat families. In cities like Dubai, Madrid or Toronto, the best British and international schools can have 12 to 24 months of waiting list. Failing to plan ahead risks having to enrol the child in a second-tier institution for lack of places, or delaying the departure date.

Underestimated language shock: integrating a child of 11-12 into a school entirely in a language they do not speak can be psychologically very difficult. Young children adapt quickly; pre-teenagers much less so. Plan intensive language support in the first few weeks, ideally starting before arrival.

The curriculum gap on return to France is real: a child schooled 4 years in the British or American system can have significant gaps in French spelling, history-geography, and essay writing methods. Plan a gradual catch-up from the moment of return, ideally well before.

The cumulative financial burden: combined school fees for two children in an international school over 3 years can reach €60,000 to €150,000. In a Dubai or Canada posting, this is a line item to factor into the overall calculation well in advance. For all the budget surprises you might not see coming, read our article on the hidden costs of expatriation.

Moving as a couple with children at different ages multiplies the logistical complexity. Juggling options (French lycée for the eldest, local school for the youngest?) can become time-consuming. Our article on expatriation as a couple covers these family trade-offs.

Frequently asked questions

Can my child join a French school abroad without being French?

Yes. AEFE network institutions are open to all children regardless of nationality. They welcome French, dual-national and local pupils. The teaching language is French, which requires a sufficient level on entry (except in nursery and primary school, where reading is taught in French from the start). Non-French nationals cannot benefit from AEFE grants, which are reserved for French families.

How do I enrol in a French school abroad?

Enrolment applications are submitted directly to the institution, ideally 6 to 12 months before the desired start date. Each lycée manages its own waiting list and admission criteria. For directly managed (EGD) institutions, priority is sometimes given to children of French state employees on an official posting. Check the AEFE website to find the institution closest to your future address.

Can my child take the French brevet and baccalauréat exams while schooled abroad?

Yes, in establishments accredited by the French Ministry of Education. AEFE network pupils sit the brevet and baccalauréat under the same conditions as in France. CNED pupils take their exams at designated examination centres, which may be in France or in certain foreign countries. Pupils in international schools sit different exams (IB, IGCSE, etc.) that are not directly equivalent to the French bac, but are recognised by most European universities.

Are AEFE grants accessible to all French expats?

AEFE grants are reserved for children of French nationality enrolled in an accredited institution. They are subject to income conditions (household income bracket) and do not generally cover the full fees. Applications are submitted annually before 31 January via the service-public.fr portal. Decisions are made by local committees in coordination with the Consulate. For a first expatriation, allow for a processing delay: grants are not automatically awarded from the first year in all cases.

Schooling your children abroad is a decision that conditions a large part of family expatriation success. Taking the time to analyse the concrete options, visiting them if possible before departure, and considering the age and profile of each child helps avoid the most common setbacks.

For a deeper look at overall budget preparation, read our guide on the hidden costs of expatriation.

Find all our practical guides for settling abroad: living abroad.

For schooling specifics by destination:

The costs and conditions stated in this guide are valid as of Q2 2026. School fees are revised each year: always check current rates directly with institutions and on official websites before making any decision.