The Belgian School System Explained: A Practical Guide for Parents

Relocating to Belgium with children means getting familiar with one of the most complex educational systems in Europe. With three official languages, separate educational authorities, and a variety of school types, navigating the school landscape can be challenging at first. However, once you understand how things work, the system offers a high-quality and inclusive education for all children — from toddlers to teens.

Let’s break it all down to help you make confident choices for your family.

A Multilingual Approach to Education

Belgium is a federal state made up of three language communities: Dutch-speaking (Flemish), French-speaking (Walloon), and German-speaking (East Belgium). Each of these communities is responsible for its own education system — with different school calendars, curricula, administrative bodies, and teaching methods.

Here’s how it works in practice:

• In Flanders (northern Belgium), schools teach in Dutch.
• In Wallonia (southern Belgium), instruction is in French.
• In the German-speaking region (eastern Belgium), schools operate in German.
• In Brussels, schools are either Dutch-speaking or French-speaking, with some bilingual options and international schools.

Families moving within Belgium should be aware that switching from one language system to another can be difficult, especially for older children. Even the grading systems and evaluation methods differ.

You can read the detailed breakdown in the original article about schools in Belgium.

Education Is Compulsory — But Flexible

School is mandatory for all children in Belgium from the age of 5 to 18. In practice, however, most children start earlier, at around 2.5 or 3 years old, attending kindergarten (école maternelle / kleuterschool), which is not compulsory but widely popular and free of charge in public schools.

The structure of the education system looks like this:

• Pre-primary education (2.5 to 6 years): Focuses on social and emotional development, language skills, and basic cognitive learning.
• Primary education (6 to 12 years): Six years of basic education in reading, writing, maths, science, and culture.
• Secondary education (12 to 18 years): Divided into three cycles of two years each and split into four learning tracks:

• General education (ASO): Prepares students for university.
• Technical education (TSO): Combines general subjects with practical and technical training.
• Vocational education (BSO): Focuses on hands-on skills and leads to direct employment.
• Artistic education (KSO): Offers a mix of academic and artistic instruction.

Students can switch tracks at different stages, but the earlier they decide their path, the smoother the transition.

After secondary education, students may go on to higher education (universities or university colleges), adult education, or start working. Vocational students often follow an additional year (7th year) to receive a fully recognized diploma.

Public Schools: Free and Accessible

One of the strengths of the Belgian system is that most schools are publicly funded and free. This includes many religious (mostly Catholic) schools that are part of the subsidized network. These schools often have strong reputations and are open to all students regardless of religion.

Families pay only minimal fees for school supplies, lunches, extracurricular activities, and excursions. Some schools may also ask for voluntary contributions.

Homeschooling is legal but monitored. Parents who choose this option must meet national standards and are regularly evaluated.

Public schools are generally well regarded, although their quality can vary depending on the location. Many parents consider proximity, language of instruction, and school reputation when enrolling their children.

Private and International Schools

Belgium also has a wide range of private and international schools, particularly in urban areas like Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent. These schools are mostly fee-paying and follow foreign or international curricula such as:

• British (GCSE, A-levels)
• American (SAT, AP)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• European School (for EU institution staff)

International schools are a popular choice among expatriates, especially for families planning a short-term stay or who want to ensure continuity in their child’s education. They often offer smaller classes, more extracurriculars, and a multicultural environment — though costs can be high.

School Day and Year

The school year typically begins in early September and ends in late June, with the main holidays in:

• Autumn (late October/early November)
• Winter/Christmas (two weeks around December–January)
• Carnival (February)
• Easter/Spring (April)
• Summer (July and August)

School days usually run from around 8:30 AM to 3:30 or 4:00 PM, with a lunch break around noon. Many schools offer before- and after-school childcare (garderie/opvang), which is helpful for working parents.

Lunch is either brought from home or purchased at the school canteen. Hot meals are offered in many schools, but not always. Some schools allow children to go home for lunch if they live nearby.

Homework is common, even in primary school, and parent involvement is expected. Some schools provide after-school study support.

Enrolment Procedures

Enrolment rules vary depending on the community and school. In large cities, some schools have waiting lists, and enrolment can be competitive. Priority is often given to siblings of current students or those living nearby.

Parents typically register their child in the early months of the year for a September start. For public schools, registration usually starts in February or March, and each community has an online portal with school listings and application info.

Be prepared to provide documents such as ID cards, proof of address, vaccination records, and sometimes a birth certificate.

In secondary schools, students may also need to take placement tests or submit previous academic records.

Support for Foreign Families

Belgium is used to welcoming newcomers. Many schools offer special support classes (called “welcome classes” or DASPA/OKAN) to help non-native children learn the language before they join mainstream lessons. These programs are usually available for one or two years and can be extremely helpful for integration.

Some schools also offer multilingual support, tutoring, and cultural mediation. Don’t hesitate to ask what services are available — they vary from school to school.

For foreign parents, Belgian schools can seem overly administrative at first, but once you're inside the system, most teachers and school staff are very supportive.

To get the full picture of what to expect, browse the full overview of the Belgian school system.

Wrapping Up

Belgium’s school system is decentralized, language-specific, and full of options. While that can make it seem complicated at first, it also offers flexibility, strong public education, and multilingual opportunities for students of all backgrounds.

Before enrolling your child, take time to research schools in your area, visit a few, and speak to other parents. Once you understand how the structure fits together, you’ll find that Belgium offers a solid foundation for your child’s education.

Looking for more insights on life in Belgium? From finding work to choosing where to live, WelcomeBelgium is your starting point for settling in and making the most of your new life here.