If your family is moving to Switzerland from London, Chicago, Mumbai, Toronto, Sydney, Dubai, Singapore or Seoul, one question usually comes first: where will the children go to school? International schools are the option most newcomers look at first, because lessons are in English and the curriculum is familiar. This guide gives you a method for comparing international schools in Switzerland, in the order that works best.
What "international school" means in Switzerland
Switzerland has a strong public school system, run by each canton (state-like region) rather than by the federal government. An international school is a private school that teaches in English, or in two languages, and follows a curriculum that is recognized in many countries. Children often move between countries, so these schools are used to new arrivals in the middle of a school year.
Many families choose them for continuity: the same type of program their child followed in the previous country, with classmates from many nationalities. Others prefer the local public school so the child learns the local language fast. Both are normal choices. The page on public school for international children explains that route, and how Swiss schools work shows how both systems fit together.
The order that makes choosing easy
Most families start by comparing school websites, and then discover that the school they like is far from the home they can find. Reverse the order. Home and school depend on each other, so decide in this sequence:
You can check the school type in a few minutes with the school choice tool, then come back here to compare options.
Step 1: start with the region, not the school
Switzerland is small, but daily life changes a lot from one region to another. Commute times, language and the number of international schools differ. In the Zurich area, for example, the canton publishes a list of international and bilingual schools. It names Inter-Community School Zurich (ICS) in Zumikon, Zurich International School (ZIS) with sites in Wädenswil, Kilchberg and Adliswil, and International School Zurich North (ISZN) in Wallisellen. In Winterthur, the SIS Swiss International School has a site. These are listed for the wider Zurich area, not only the city itself, so the commune matters (Canton of Zurich).
For other cities, the picture is different, and the information is less simple to check. Rather than relying on a list from the internet, ask the canton or a school directly which schools are open to new international pupils. If you want the local detail, read international schools around Zurich and international schools around Geneva.
If you are still deciding between cities, the city comparator lets you set them side by side.
Step 2: pick the curriculum
The curriculum matters more than the brand name. Ask yourself:
- Will your child return to the home country school system, or stay in Switzerland until the end of school?
- Does your child need to finish a national exam path, such as one used in the UK, the US or India?
- Is an international diploma program important for university plans abroad?
- Do you want a second language in daily lessons, such as French or German, alongside English?
A school that is bilingual can feel gentler for a child who will later join local life, while a fully English school can feel smoother for a short posting. Neither is better in general; it depends on the plan for the family. For university paths, see universities in Switzerland.
Step 3: compare schools on practical points
Once you have two or three schools, compare them on the same points, written down side by side:
- Age range and grades: does the school cover your child's age now and later?
- Language support: is there help for children who do not yet speak English well, or who will learn a local language?
- Location and transport: is there a school bus, and how long is the daily trip?
- Class size and mix: how many nationalities, and how stable is the pupil group?
- Calendar: school terms differ from those in the UK, US or Asia, so check start dates.
- Fees and extras: the school will explain what is included. See what international schools cost for the typical items to ask about.
- Activities and after-school care: useful if both parents work. See childcare and after-school care.
Step 4: admissions, timing and documents
International schools usually run their own admissions. They are not the same as the public school system, where the commune assigns a school by address. Places can be limited in some grades, so contact the school early, even before the move is final.
Schools commonly ask for:
- Recent school reports from the previous school
- A copy of the passport or identity card for the child and parents
- Proof of the planned move, such as an employment contract or rental agreement
- Vaccination or health records, where the school asks for them
- A reference or transfer form from the current school
Exact lists vary by school, so ask each one directly. If your child holds a passport from a country outside the EU or EFTA, the family goes through the general permit rules for third-country nationals. Switzerland has two regimes: one for EU/EFTA citizens and one for citizens of other countries (SEM). A school offer helps your planning, but it does not decide a permit; the authorities do. The permit finder gives a first idea of the route.
Step 5: link school choice to housing and arrival
Because most international schools do not assign a place by address, you can choose a home first or a school first. In practice, many families choose the school area and then look for a home within an easy commute. The rental file check helps you prepare papers for the housing search at the same time.
After arrival, newcomers register with the commune (the local municipality). In most places this is done within 14 days of arriving, though the exact rule can differ by commune or canton (ch.ch). Ask the commune what it needs, and keep the school letter handy.
Health insurance for every family member is also compulsory. Basic health insurance has to be taken out within three months of moving, and if this is done on time, cover applies back to the date of arrival (FOPH). Children are covered by this rule too, and many schools ask for proof.
A short example
Example: a family of four moves from Singapore to the Zurich area. One parent starts a new job, the children are in primary and early secondary school, and both are used to an international curriculum. They pick the region first, shortlist two schools on the canton's list within a reasonable commute, visit online, and send school reports before leaving. Once a place is confirmed, they search for a home nearby. This is only an illustration; every family's situation is different.
Checklist before you apply
- Decide the region and a realistic commute
- Choose the curriculum your child needs
- Make a shortlist of schools and ask each for its admissions rules
- Collect school reports and identity documents
- Ask each school about language support and start dates
- Plan the commune registration and health insurance after arrival
- Build a moving checklist and a relocation calendar
If you would like help matching your plans to a relocation company that can support a school search, the relocation services page explains what such help looks like, and how to choose an agency shows what to ask. When you are ready, the request at the bottom of this page starts the process: a specialist examines your case and helps connect you with the right provider.
Frequently asked questions
What are international schools in Switzerland?
They are private schools that teach in English or in two languages and follow a curriculum used in several countries. They serve families who move between countries. Public schools, by contrast, teach in the local language of the canton.
Are international schools better than public schools?
Neither is better in general. International schools suit families who want continuity with a curriculum from home. Public schools suit families who want their child to learn the local language and settle into local life. The school system overview compares the paths.
Do international schools exist in every Swiss city?
No. They are concentrated in some regions. For the Zurich area, the canton publishes a list. For other cities, ask the canton or the school directly before relying on any list found online.
Which international schools are in the Zurich area?
The canton's list names Inter-Community School Zurich in Zumikon, Zurich International School in Wädenswil, Kilchberg and Adliswil, and International School Zurich North in Wallisellen. It also mentions other bilingual schools (Canton of Zurich).
Is there an international school in Winterthur?
Yes, the canton's list includes a site of SIS Swiss International School in Winterthur, which it describes as a primary school (Canton of Zurich). Ask the school about other levels.
Are the Zurich schools in the city of Zurich itself?
Not all of them. The list covers the wider canton and the Zurich area, so several schools sit in nearby communes. Check the commute before you shortlist.
Where can I find international schools in Geneva?
Read the page on international schools around Geneva. Because lists change, confirm the current schools with the canton or the school directly.
Can I enroll my child before we move?
Many schools accept applications from abroad, and early contact helps because places can be limited. Ask each school about its process and timing. The enrolment guide covers the public side.
Which documents do schools usually ask for?
Typical items are school reports, identity documents, proof of the planned move and sometimes health records. Each school sets its own list, so ask in writing.
Does a school place give my family a residence permit?
No. A school place helps your planning, but the authorities decide on permits. Rules differ for EU/EFTA citizens and for citizens of other countries (SEM). The permit finder is a good first step.
Do my children need to speak English before they start?
Many schools teach in English, so some knowledge helps. Some offer extra language support. Ask each school how it helps a child who is still learning.
Will my child learn French or German at an international school?
Often yes, as a subject, and bilingual schools use a local language more in lessons. Ask what the weekly schedule looks like for the age of your child.
How do I choose between a bilingual and a fully English school?
Think about how long you plan to stay and what your child will do next. A bilingual school can ease integration, while a fully English school can ease a return home. See the school choice tool.
Can my child switch to a public school later?
It is possible in many cases, and children often adapt, but the commune and the school decide on the placement. Learn about that route in public school for international children.
What about university plans?
Check that the curriculum leads to the qualification your preferred universities ask for. The universities page explains the Swiss options.
How far should the school be from our home?
There is no fixed rule. Families compare the commute, school transport and the child's age. Choose the region first, then the home, as explained in the steps above.
Do international schools offer after-school care?
Many offer activities after lessons, but the details vary. If both parents work, ask about hours, and read about childcare and after-school care.
How does the move affect health insurance for children?
Basic health insurance is compulsory within three months of taking up residence, and cover is backdated if the deadline is met (FOPH). Schools sometimes ask for proof of insurance.
When do we register with the commune?
Registration is usually done within 14 days of arrival, and the rule can vary by commune or canton (ch.ch). Take identity documents, your permit and proof of insurance.
Can a relocation company help with the school search?
A relocation company can support a school search as part of a wider package. This site connects you with a provider that fits your needs; see relocation services and relocation help in Zurich.
Does the school choose where we live?
No. In international schools, the home and school are separate choices, unlike the public system. Many families select the school area first.
What if the school I like is full?
Ask about other grades, start dates or similar schools nearby. Keep a second option on your shortlist from the beginning.
Is help available for permits as well as schools?
Yes, see immigration support. A specialist can look at your individual situation and explain the next steps.
Sources
Related pages
- How Swiss schools work, from kindergarten to uni
- Swiss schools compared with the US system
- Public school for international children
- What international schools cost
- Enrolling your child in a Swiss school
- Childcare and after-school care
- Universities and universities of applied science
- Settling in as the partner who follows