School placement for expat families

Finding the Right School in Serbia for Your Children

Quick answer

Serbia — particularly Belgrade — has a genuine international school ecosystem including IB, British curriculum, and bilingual schools. Novi Sad has fewer but growing options. Relocation Serbia shortlists schools based on your children's ages, curriculum preferences, and budget, manages the application and enrolment process, and coordinates school placement alongside your residency and housing search. For families wanting more flexibility, structured international homeschooling is also available as a formally recognised alternative.

 
  • International, bilingual, private, state, and homeschool options covered
  • Belgrade has IB, British curriculum, and American curriculum schools
  • School placement coordinated alongside residency and housing
  • International school tuition significantly below Western European equivalents
  • We manage applications, document preparation, and enrolment
DISCUSS SCHOOL OPTIONS FOR MY FAMILY
4 Types of school available to expat families Belgrade Primary international school hub — multiple IB and British curriculum schools €5K+ Annual international school tuition from — vs €15K+ in Western Europe Sept Main academic year start — applications open earlier

4 TYPES

School options of expat families

IB

International Baccalaureate available in Belgrade

SEPT

Main academic year start
 

English

Instruction language — international schools

Which type is right for your family?

Four school options — how to choose
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The right school depends on your children's ages, how long you plan to stay in Serbia, your curriculum preferences, and your budget. Here is an honest guide to each option.

Maximum continuity

International Schools

Teach entirely in English (or another major language) following an internationally recognised curriculum — IB, British, or American. Report cards, transcripts, and qualifications transfer seamlessly to schools worldwide. The best choice for families who may relocate again or who want educational continuity regardless of how long they stay in Serbia.

Best for: Families staying 1+ years, uncertain relocation plans, children who do not speak Serbian, teens who need internationally transferable qualifications.

Language immersion + structure

Bilingual Schools

Offer core academic subjects in both English and Serbian — giving children genuine language acquisition alongside a structured curriculum. Less expensive than fully international schools. Some follow Serbian national curriculum with additional English instruction; others are genuinely bilingual in both languages.

Best for: Families planning to stay 2+ years, children who will benefit from Serbian language skills, younger children who adapt quickly to bilingual environments.

Free — full immersion

Serbian State Schools

Free for all children with Serbian residency. Instruction is entirely in Serbian — no English-language classes. Younger children (under 8) adapt remarkably quickly through immersion. Older children face a steeper language barrier. Quality and class sizes vary significantly by school and neighbourhood.

Best for: Budget-conscious families, younger children who adapt quickly, families committed to long-term integration into Serbian life, those prioritising full cultural immersion.

Immersion with smaller classes

Private Serbian Schools

Serbian-language instruction with smaller class sizes, better facilities, and more parental engagement than state schools. Not international — instruction is entirely in Serbian — but the environment is more attentive. A middle ground between free state schools and expensive international options.

Best for: Families committing long-term to Serbia who want more than a state school, younger children, families with some Serbian language background at home.

Maximum flexibility

International Homeschooling

Formal enrolment in an accredited international school that provides curriculum, academic records, and qualifications — while the child is educated at home or through a combination of methods. Not informal homeschooling — officially structured and internationally recognised. Education method is flexible; the academic framework is not.

Best for: Remote-working families wanting curriculum flexibility, families with children at very different ages, families planning future international relocation, those with specific educational philosophies.
 

In detail

What each school type provides

Practical facts for each option — curriculum, language, cost, and qualification compatibility.

International schools

International Baccalaureate (IB) & British Curriculum

The International School of Belgrade offers the full IB programme from Primary Years through the Diploma Programme (DP). British curriculum schools offer GCSEs and A-Levels. Both produce internationally recognised qualifications accepted by universities worldwide — including top UK, US, and European universities.
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Language of instruction                                   English
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Typical annual tuition                              €8,000–€20,000+
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Ages covered                           Kindergarten to Grade 12 / Year 13
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Qualification compatibility                Global — UK, US, EU,                                                                             Australian universities
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Location                                        Primarily Belgrade (Dedinje,                                                                                       Senjak)

Bilingual schools

Bilingual English-Serbian Schools

A growing category of private schools in Belgrade and Novi Sad that offer genuinely bilingual instruction — core academic subjects in English alongside Serbian language and culture. Quality varies significantly between schools. Relocation Serbia assesses and recommends based on your child's specific needs and the school's actual bilingual delivery.
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Language of instruction                          English + Serbian
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Typical annual tuition                                 €2,500–€8,000
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Ages covered                                       Varies — typically primary                                                                         through high school
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Qualification compatibility           Serbian leaving certificate +                                                          some international recognition
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Location                                                Belgrade and Novi Sad

State schools

Serbian State Schools

Free to attend for all children with Serbian residency. Instruction entirely in Serbian. Class sizes are larger than private schools, facilities vary significantly by school. A viable option for young children who adapt quickly and for families committed to long-term integration. English is taught as a subject from early primary school.
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Language of instruction                              Serbian only
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Annual cost                                                  Free — all children                                                                                     with residency
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Ages covered                                   6–18 (primary and secondary)
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Qualification compatibility                      Serbian national —                                                              limited international recognition
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Location                                                     Nationwide — every                                                                                     neighbourhood
 

International homeschooling

Structured International Homeschooling

Formal enrolment in an accredited international school — typically US or UK based — that provides the curriculum, assessments, and official academic records while the child is educated at home or through flexible delivery methods. This is not informal homeschooling — the child is officially enrolled in a recognised institution with official transcripts.
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Language of instruction                             English                                                                                          (US or UK curriculum)
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Annual cost                                         Varies — typically lower                                                              than on-site international schools
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Ages covered                                           All ages — K-12
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Qualification compatibility               US/UK accredited —                                                                         internationally recognised
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FlexibilityMethod                            flexible — online, tutored,                                                                         parent-led, or mixed

Belgrade

International and bilingual schools in Belgrade
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Belgrade has the strongest international school ecosystem in Serbia — concentrated in the Dedinje, Senjak, and Vračar areas. Here are the main options Relocation Serbia works with.

IB — PYP to Diploma

International School of Belgrade (ISB)

Belgrade's primary international school — offering the full International Baccalaureate programme from Primary Years through Diploma. The most established international school in Serbia with a strong track record of university placements.

Ages: 3–18 · Language: English · Curriculum: IB · Area: Dedinje

British curriculum

British International School Belgrade

British National Curriculum school offering the full pathway from early years through to A-Levels. Recognised by COBIS (Council of British International Schools). Suitable for families with UK university aspirations.

Ages: 2–18 · Language: English · Curriculum: British · Area: Belgrade

Bilingual

Bilingual Private Schools

Several private bilingual schools operate across Belgrade offering English-Serbian instruction. Quality and delivery vary — Relocation Serbia assesses specific schools based on your child's age and requirements and recommends accordingly.

Ages: Varies · Language: English + Serbian · Cost: €2,500–€7,000/year

Note on tuition fees: International school fees in Belgrade are significantly lower than equivalent schools in Western Europe, the UAE, or Singapore — making Belgrade an attractive base for expat families who prioritise educational continuity. We provide current fee information for each school during the placement process.

Novi Sad

School options in Novi Sad

Novi Sad has fewer dedicated international schools than Belgrade, but the bilingual and private school ecosystem is growing. For families committed to fully English-language international education, some parents choose to base in Novi Sad while sending children to Belgrade international schools — or use structured homeschooling.

 

Bilingual

Bilingual Private Schools

Novi Sad has several private bilingual schools offering English-Serbian instruction from kindergarten through primary and secondary. The provision is growing year-on-year. Relocation Serbia assesses current options and recommends based on your child's specific situation.

State schools

Serbian State Schools

Novi Sad's state schools are generally well-regarded by Serbian standards. Instruction is in Serbian. Novi Sad has a significant university and student population, meaning English proficiency among teachers is relatively high. A viable option for younger children committed to long-term life in Serbia.

International homeschooling

Structured International Homeschooling

Particularly popular among Novi Sad-based expat families — the structured international homeschooling model allows children to follow an accredited international curriculum regardless of location, which suits Novi Sad's more limited international school options.

Belgrade access

Belgrade International Schools

Novi Sad to Belgrade is approximately 1 hour by road or 30 minutes by train. Some families based in Novi Sad use Belgrade international schools for older children — particularly for secondary education where the IB or British A-Level programmes are important for university applications.

Structured international homeschooling

Homeschooling in Serbia — the formal pathway
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Traditional homeschooling — where parents teach without formal institutional backing — is not formally recognised under Serbian education law. However, foreign families can legally educate their children at home when the child is formally enrolled in a recognised international educational institution that provides an official curriculum, academic records, and qualifications.

This is not a workaround. It is a well-established model used by internationally mobile families worldwide. The child is an official student of an accredited school — with transcripts, report cards, and qualifications — while learning through methods the family chooses: online, tutored, parent-led, Montessori, or mixed.

Education status intersects with Serbian residency. Relocation Serbia ensures the educational arrangement is structured correctly so it supports — not complicates — your immigration positioning and future residency renewals.

Already in a Serbian state school? Transitioning to international homeschooling requires careful sequencing — enrolment in the international institution must be secured before any withdrawal from the Serbian system. We coordinate this transition to ensure compliance throughout.
DISCUSS HOMESCHOOLING OPTIONS
What makes this model formal and recognised The child is officially enrolled in a US-accredited or UK-recognised international school. That institution issues official transcripts, progress reports, and diplomas. These documents are internationally recognised and can be used for future school admissions worldwide. How learning is delivered The delivery method is flexible — online structured lessons, digital curriculum, textbooks, private tutoring, group parent-led sessions, Montessori, Waldorf, or a combination. The academic framework stays consistent; the method is yours to choose. Who this is commonly used by Remote-working families, digital nomads, families with children at very different age groups, families planning further relocation after Serbia, parents with specific educational philosophies, and families in Novi Sad where international school options are more limited. How it aligns with Serbian residency When structured correctly, international homeschooling aligns with temporary residence, business residency, and long-term planning. We ensure both educational and immigration elements are coordinated together — not managed separately in ways that create conflicts.

How we help

What Relocation Serbia manages in the school placement process
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School placement is coordinated in parallel with your residency permit and housing search — so everything arrives together, not one thing after another.

School Shortlisting

Based on your children's ages, curriculum preferences, budget, and intended location — we shortlist 2–3 schools that genuinely match your family's situation rather than presenting every option available.

 

Application Coordination

International school applications require previous school records, transcripts, references, and placement assessments. We coordinate the submission process and manage timelines across multiple schools simultaneously where needed.

Document Preparation

Previous school records translated into English or Serbian as required, apostilled where necessary, and formatted to each school's specific requirements. Nothing is lost in the document process.

School Visits

For families visiting Belgrade or Novi Sad before their move, we arrange school tours. For remote families, we brief you on each school based on our direct relationships — so you can make an informed decision without a site visit.

Enrolment Management

Once a school is selected, we manage the full enrolment process — contracts, fee payments, uniform ordering, school transport, and first-day logistics. You arrive in Serbia with school sorted, not pending.

Parallel with Relocation

School placement runs simultaneously with your residency application, housing search, and banking setup — coordinated by one team. No hand-offs, no lost context, no waiting for one process to finish before another starts.

Questions

School placement FAQ
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The questions we answer most from families relocating to Serbia with children.

Are there English-language schools in Serbia?

Yes. Belgrade has several international schools offering full English-language instruction — including the International School of Belgrade (IB curriculum) and the British International School Belgrade. Most are concentrated in the Dedinje and Senjak areas. Novi Sad has bilingual options but no dedicated full-English international school. Relocation Serbia assists with shortlisting, application, and enrolment for all international schools in both cities.

How much do international schools in Serbia cost?

International school tuition in Belgrade typically ranges from approximately €5,000 to €20,000+ per year depending on the school, curriculum, and year group. This is significantly less expensive than equivalent international schools in Western Europe, the Middle East, or Singapore — making Belgrade an attractive base for families that prioritise internationally recognised education. Additional costs include enrolment fees, uniforms, and activity fees. We provide current fee information for shortlisted schools during the placement process.

Can my child attend a state school as a foreigner?

Yes. All children with Serbian residency are entitled to attend state schools free of charge. Instruction is entirely in Serbian, which presents a language barrier for children who don't speak the language. Younger children (under 8) typically adapt quickly through immersion. For older children, the language barrier is more significant. Relocation Serbia can assist with state school enrolment including document preparation and registration if this is the route you choose.

Is homeschooling legal in Serbia?

Informal homeschooling without institutional backing is not formally recognised under Serbian law. However, foreign families can educate their children at home when the child is formally enrolled in a recognised international educational institution — such as an accredited American or British school — that provides an official curriculum, academic records, and qualifications. This is internationally structured education, not informal homeschooling. Relocation Serbia coordinates the enrolment and ensures it aligns correctly with Serbian residency requirements.

Which city is better for families — Belgrade or Novi Sad?

If your children are older and you need IB or A-Level provision, Belgrade is the clear choice — it has the International School of Belgrade and the British International School. For younger children or families using bilingual schools or structured homeschooling, Novi Sad is a genuine and often preferred option — it's quieter, more family-oriented, and significantly less expensive than Belgrade. Many families with young children specifically choose Novi Sad for its community character and then reassess as children reach secondary age.

When should I start the school application process?

As early as possible. International schools in Belgrade have limited places, and popular year groups fill up quickly — particularly for the September intake. We recommend beginning the application process at least 3–6 months before your intended move date. Mid-year enrolment is possible at most schools but subject to availability. State school enrolment is more flexible and can be managed closer to arrival. Contact us as soon as your move date is confirmed to begin the school shortlisting process.

Relocating to Serbia with children?

Book a call. We shortlist schools based on your children's ages and requirements — and coordinate school placement alongside your residency and housing.

DISCUSS SCHOOL PLACEMENT
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Relocation Serbia is a trade name of Helion Global Group LLC, a limited liability company registered in the State of Wyoming, USA. Services in Serbia are delivered by Globalna Poslovna Rešenja DOO, a company registered in Serbia, under agreement with Helion Global Group LLC.

Relocation Serbia is a trade name of Helion Global Group LLC, a limited liability company registered in the State of Wyoming, USA. Services in Serbia are delivered by Globalna Poslovna Rešenja DOO, a company registered in Serbia, under agreement with Helion Global Group LLC.

Relocation Serbia is a trade name of Helion Global Group LLC, a limited liability company registered in the State of Wyoming, USA. Services in Serbia are delivered by Globalna Poslovna Rešenja DOO, a company registered in Serbia, under agreement with Helion Global Group LLC.