Education and schools for expats in Sweden | KOCH Moving Logistics

Moving to Sweden presents families with many challenges, especially when it comes to their children's education. The Swedish education system differs fundamentally from the German school system in several respects – above all through its integrative and very long shared learning model. Unlike in Germany, every child in Sweden is taught together in a comprehensive school until the age of 16; there is no early division into a three‑tier school system as in Germany. This principle of equal opportunity is deeply rooted in Swedish society. The Swedish school system is highly decentralised: the municipalities (kommuner) are responsible for organising schools as school authorities, while the National Agency for Education (Skolverket) is responsible for overarching curricula and objectives. In this article, we take a look at the Swedish school system, the best international schools in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, as well as the various options for younger children, so that you can emigrate to Sweden well‑informed and prepared.

For families moving to Sweden, international schools offer an excellent opportunity to provide their children with a familiar, often English‑medium education. Sweden has a growing selection of international schools, especially in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. These schools follow either a British (IGCSE, A‑Levels), American (High School Diploma, AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or Swedish curriculum (with enhanced English content). Particularly noteworthy is the system of friskolor – state‑subsidised but privately run schools. In Germany, such widespread state funding of private schools does not exist to this extent.

– Stockholm International School is the oldest and best‑known international school in Stockholm and has been an institution for expat families for almost 75 years. It teaches in English according to the IB curriculum (Primary Years, Middle Years, Diploma Programme) for children aged 3 to 18. The annual school fees for the 2026/27 school year range from 135,000 SEK to 191,500 SEK (approx. 11,600 to 16,500 euros). In addition, a one‑time registration fee of 60,000 SEK (approx. 5,150 euros) is due. Thus, costs in Stockholm are at a similar level to international schools in German metropolises such as Berlin, Munich or Hamburg.

– A special feature in the Stockholm school environment is the International School of the Stockholm Region (ISSR). It is a publicly funded, English‑medium school operated by the City of Stockholm. It offers the entire IB programme (PYP, MYP, DP) for children aged 5 to 18 completely free of charge – this is a huge difference from Germany, where a comparable high‑quality international offering under public management does not exist. The ISSR is ideal for families seeking a high‑quality international education without the high cost of private schools. However, demand is very high, so early registration is necessary.

– The French Lyceum was founded in 1959 and is accredited as a French overseas school. It offers multilingual education (French, Swedish, English) from kindergarten to upper secondary school and follows the French national curriculum. Annual school fees are at the lower end of the scale for international schools in Stockholm – an exact figure is not publicly available; the school requires personal contact. Unlike in Germany, where French lyceums also exist (e.g., in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Munich), fees in Sweden are often somewhat lower because they are more heavily state‑subsidised.

– SSHL is located in Sigtuna, about 40 km north of Stockholm. It is a Swedish boarding school and a day upper secondary school with an international profile. It offers both the IB Diploma Programme and the Swedish curriculum for pupils aged 14 and over. Fees are between 30,000 SEK and 38,000 SEK per year (approx. 2,600 to 3,300 euros). In Germany, comparable boarding schools with an international focus exist (e.g., Louisenlund School or Salem School). SSHL scores with its idyllic location on Lake Mälaren and its mix of Swedish and international culture.

– Vasa International School of Stockholm teaches according to the IB and Swedish curricula (ages 5‑16), with fees of about 10,000 SEK per year (approx. 860 euros). There is also Futuraskolan International with several locations in Stockholm, which also works according to IB and Swedish curricula. A complete list of international schools in Stockholm is kept on the City of Stockholm website.

The German School Stockholm was founded in 1612 and is thus the oldest school in Stockholm and the second oldest German overseas school in the world. This school is one of the oldest institutions of German‑Swedish cultural exchange. It is a recognised, excellent German overseas school with a kindergarten, primary school and upper secondary school (Gymnasium). It follows a German curriculum and German regulations, while Swedish, Swedish history, civics and geography follow the Swedish curriculum. The school awards both the German International Abitur (DIA) and a Swedish leaving certificate (examensbevis). Children thus obtain university entrance qualifications in both countries. The DSS is an encounter school where German‑speaking and Swedish‑speaking children learn together. The number of pupils is about 600, the number of teachers about 50. The school is sponsored by the German School Association of Stockholm. The school holds the BLI seal of quality "Excellent German Overseas School". Admission is generally only possible if the children speak German as an everyday language with one or both parents. In exceptional cases, children without German language skills are also admitted if they have sufficient language ability to participate in lessons. The school has a bilingual concept in which German and Swedish are taught equally. Annual fees are within the usual range for German overseas schools. After grade 4, pupils attend a German upper secondary school (grades 5‑12), which differs from the Swedish comprehensive school system

In addition to the school in Stockholm, there is the German School Gothenburg (Tyska skolan Göteborg). It was founded in 1995 and is today one of two German schools in Sweden. It is located in the south of Sweden's second largest city in a beautiful building built in the 1960s and later renovated several times. It is a bilingual primary school (German/Swedish) with grades 1‑6. From the 2024/25 school year, the school will gradually be expanded to a primary school with grades 1‑9. The curriculum includes, in addition to core subjects, music, art, crafts, textile work and sports. After grade 6, pupils move to the Integrated International School (IEGS) in Gothenburg.

 

 

The Swedish education system is known for its integrative, less performance‑oriented model focused on equal opportunities. Children learn together for much longer; there is no early selection into different school types as in Germany (Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium). Compulsory schooling lasts ten years (from the year the child turns six until the age of 16). The basic structure is divided into several successive levels:

– Pre‑school (early childhood education): For all six‑year‑olds, the pre‑school class is compulsory. It is the bridge between kindergarten and school and serves as playful preparation for school life. It is usually attached to a primary school (grundskola) and is free of charge.

– Primary school (grundskola, grades 1‑9): This nine‑year comprehensive school is the heart of the Swedish school system. In the first six years, children are usually taught most subjects by a class teacher. Most subjects are practical/aesthetic subjects (art, home economics, sports, music, crafts) as well as social sciences and natural sciences. In the higher grades, specialised teachers share the subjects. In primary school, pupils learn English, usually from grade 1 onwards. Later, the choice of a second foreign language follows: German, French or Spanish. A major difference from Germany: in the Swedish primary school, there are no gradesuntil the 8th grade. Only then are grades given on a three‑point scale (Pass, Pass with distinction, Pass with special distinction). At the end of the ninth grade, school is completed without a central final examination – a leaving certificate is issued.

– Upper secondary school (gymnasieskola, grades 10‑12)): After primary school, almost all pupils (over 98 percent) go on to voluntary but nearly universally attended upper secondary school. There are 18 national programmes: six are study‑preparatory (theoretical orientation), twelve are vocational‑preparatory (practical orientation). All programmes are free; school materials and teaching aids are provided. Unlike the German system, attendance at upper secondary school is not compulsory, but the vast majority of young people take advantage of this opportunity. After successful completion, pupils have the general university entrance qualification.

Compared to Germany, some differences are particularly noticeable:

– NINE YEARS TOGETHER WITHOUT EARLY SELECTION:In Sweden, all children attend the same primary school (grundskola) until grade 9. In contrast, German pupils are already divided into different school types (Gymnasium, Realschule, Hauptschule) after grade 4 (in some federal states after grade 6). The Swedish integrated system avoids this early separation. The Swedish state invests significantly more in education with 7.1 percent of GDP (compared to 4.5 percent in Germany). Classes are smaller, schools are often well equipped and accessible.

– NO GRADES IN THE FIRST EIGHT SCHOOL YEARS: An important difference from the German system, where grades are already given in primary school and can influence the educational path. In Sweden, there are no grades until grade 7, but rather development talks between parents and teachers. In the first six years, pupils learn in an environment that is less performance‑oriented, without constant pressure. A written assessment is available to parents.

– MATERIALS, COMPUTERS, LUNCH – ALL FREE : Pupils in Sweden receive all the materials they need for school free of charge – from pencils and exercise books to their own computer. Lunch is also free for all pupils and teachers – and delicious! In Germany, by contrast, pupils generally have to pay for their own materials; lunch is subject to a fee or only subsidised in certain cases.

– SUBJECT DIVERSITY AND "NO DENOMINATIONAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION": In primary school, there is a remarkably wide range of subjects: sewing, crafts, cooking, economic education play a role alongside traditional subjects. Denominational religious education, on the other hand, does not exist. This is due to the highly secularised Swedish society.

– "FRISKOLA" – THE STATE‑FINANCED PRIVATE SCHOOL MODEL: In addition to public municipal schools, there are so‑called friskolor (literally: "free schools"). These private schools are publicly financed but may not charge tuition fees. They can have their own pedagogical profile (e.g., Montessori, Waldorf, IB). This model exists in Germany only in rudimentary form (e.g., a few state‑recognised private schools with fees). In Sweden, more than one in six children attends such a state‑financed private school.

– ALL‑DAY SCHOOL WITH HIGH ATTENDANCE: School in Sweden is generally an all‑day school. Teachers have a 35‑hour attendance requirement. Pupils have many freedoms: they may explore the school building independently during breaks; lessons of varying lengths (40‑70 minutes) are without a rigid bell.

– TEACHERS ADDRESSED INFORMALLY: Hierarchies are flatter, the atmosphere is more relaxed. Pupils address their teachers informally, and teachers also address each other informally – this is normal in the Swedish working world.

– GOOD INTEGRATION OF MIGRANT CHILDREN: Sweden has been a country of immigration for decades. The school system is adapted: pupils with a migrant background receive instruction in "Swedish as a second language". Many pupils speak a different mother tongue at home.

Early childhood education is the heart of Swedish education policy. The förskola is an institution for children aged 1 to 5 years, which is very widespread in Sweden. It is not compulsory, but is attended by about 90 percent of Swedish children. The focus is on play and social contacts. The emphasis is on gender awareness, sustainability and preparation for school. Most children receive 15 hours per week free of charge; beyond that, an income‑dependent maximum fee (maxtaxa) is charged. For children aged 1‑5, parents pay a maximum of 3 percent of family income (maximum 1,847 SEK per month), for the second child 2 percent (maximum 1,231 SEK) and for the third child 1 percent (maximum 616 SEK). From the fourth child onwards, it is free.

For German families, bilingual or international kindergartens are a good starting point, especially in the larger cities. The German School Stockholm and the German School Gothenburg offer a bilingual kindergarten. In Sweden, the pre‑school class (förskoleklass) is compulsory for all six‑year‑olds and is usually attached to the primary school.

Moving to Sweden requires careful planning of the school transition. It is important to find out about the various options early on. The Swedish education system offers many advantages: an integrative structure with nine years together without early selection, a relaxed learning atmosphere, no grades until grade 8, free materials and lunch for all. Whether public primary school, state‑financed private school, bilingual German school or international school in Stockholm – with the right preparation and support, every family will find the right educational path for their children in Sweden. KOCH Moving Logistics stands by your side as an experienced partner to make your move to Sweden smooth.