School registration: ages, deadlines and city differences
Short answer: in the Netherlands you can register a child for primary school from age 3, children can start at 4, and school is compulsory from 5. Popular schools fill up early, and several big cities use a central registration system with fixed dates. If you move with children, school is a first-month task, not a later one.
The three ages that matter
| Age | What happens |
|---|---|
| 3 | You may register your child at a primary school (basisschool) |
| 4 | Your child may start school, usually on or right after their 4th birthday |
| 5 | School is compulsory (leerplicht) |
Until 18, young people must stay in education until they have a basic qualification.
What you need
- Your child's BSN (see how to get a BSN)
- Birth certificate, passport or ID of your child
- If your child changes schools: proof that they were deregistered from the previous school
How it works in your city
Rules differ per municipality. Check your gemeente's page first.
The Hague (Den Haag)
- Central registration. About 2 months before your child turns 3, the municipality sends you a registration form.
- You list schools in order of preference. Schools can give priority to siblings, children from an affiliated preschool, children living nearby or children of staff.
- If a school has more applications than places, there is a lottery, and the municipality then checks your 2nd and 3rd choice.
- You hear within 6 weeks where your child can go.
- Moved here after that moment? The municipality tells you where places are still free and how to register.
Amsterdam, Rotterdam and other large cities also use city-wide rules with fixed registration periods. Check your city's school registration page as soon as you know where you will live.
Arriving with an older child who does not speak Dutch
Many cities have newcomer classes. In The Hague, for example:
- Age 5–12: a primary school with a reception class (instroomgroep), usually for 1 to 1.5 years.
- Age 12–18: an international foundation class (internationale schakelklas, ISK) at a secondary school, usually 1 or 2 years.
International schools are another option; most charge fees and have their own admission rules.
Common mistakes
- Waiting until you have a permanent home. In cities with central registration, the timing is based on your child's age, not your move.
- Applying to one school only. List several choices where the system allows it.
- Forgetting the BSN. Schools need it; register at the gemeente first.
Your checklist
I arrive in the next 30 days
- Check your future city's school registration page and dates
- Shortlist schools near your likely address
- Bring your child's birth certificate (legalised or apostilled if your gemeente asks for it)
I am already here
- Child's BSN received? Register now
- Older child without Dutch? Ask about newcomer classes or ISK
My child turns 3 soon
- Watch for the municipality's letter (in cities with central registration)
- Visit schools before you rank them
Get this as your personal plan
Stapje shows school timing in your plan when children live with you, next to BSN, insurance and GP steps. Stapje does not rank schools. No account needed.
Get Stapje on the App StoreFAQ
At what age can I register my child for school in the Netherlands?
From age 3. Children can start at 4, and school is compulsory from 5.
How soon should I register?
As soon as your child is 3, or as soon as you arrive if your child is older. In cities with central registration, follow the municipality's dates.
What if all schools near us are full?
In The Hague, the municipality checks your other choices and, if needed, tells you where places are still available.
Do schools in the Netherlands cost money?
Public and most private Dutch-curriculum schools are funded by the government. Schools may ask a voluntary parental contribution. International schools usually charge fees.
Official sources
Last checked 6 October 2026. Your gemeente and the school are the official sources for registration rules and dates. Stapje is not a government service.