Key takeaways
Homeschooling in the Netherlands isn't what it is in the US or UK. Dutch law draws a hard line. Children aged 5 to 16 must physically attend an accredited school – no exceptions for most families. The Leerplichtwet (Compulsory Education Act) enforces this strictly: withholding children from school leads to fines and prosecution. The government grants exemptions only in extremely rare cases, typically for religious or philosophical objections that meet a very high legal bar. Most families, including expats moving to the Netherlands, won't qualify. Many international families supplement their child's Dutch education with AP courses, College Prep programs, or English-language enrichment. That's where Legacy fits.
- Dutch law requires all children aged 5–16 residing in the Netherlands to attend an accredited school physically
- Homeschooling exemptions are granted only in exceptional cases involving religious or philosophical objections assessed by the municipal executive council
- Parents who educate their children at home without permission face legal prosecution and fines
- Expat families often use supplementary programs like AP courses and College Prep alongside their child's Dutch or international school
Contents
We are a US-accredited international online school that coexists with local schooling. Families are responsible for ensuring compliance with any local education requirements applicable to their situation.
The Legal Reality of Compulsory Education
The Netherlands enforces one of Europe’s strictest compulsory education laws. Every child between 5 and 16 years old must attend a recognized school. Full stop.
The Leerplichtwet leaves almost no room for homeschooling as practiced in countries like the US. Dutch children, expat children, anyone else living in the Netherlands – same rule applies.
Parents who keep children at home without official exemption break the law. The municipality tracks enrollment. Schools notify local authorities if a pupil stops attending. The obligatory education officer investigates. If you’re found in violation, expect fines and legal action.
According to Expatiki’s guide on Dutch compulsory education, exemptions are only granted in very exceptional cases where parents can prove that their religious or philosophical convictions make school attendance fundamentally incompatible with their beliefs.
Who Are Allowed To Homeschool in the Netherlands
Exemptions exist. They’re just not common. To qualify, parents must demonstrate that sending their child to any school – public, private, religious, alternative – violates deeply held convictions. The objection can’t be educational preference or a dislike of the Dutch school system.
It has to be fundamental. A belief that school attendance itself is morally or religiously unacceptable.
The municipal executive council assesses each request. If granted, the exemption doesn’t mean no oversight. Parents must prove the child receives adequate education at home, covering subjects such as mathematics, Dutch language, social studies. The municipality can assess attainment and require periodic evaluations.
NVVTO, the national association for home education, estimates fewer than 500 families in the entire country have legal permission to educate their children at home. Millions of school-aged children. 500 families.
Expat Families and International Schools
Many expats choose international schools in cities like Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Eindhoven. These schools offer curricula in English or other languages. They cater to globally mobile families. Tuition can be high – often €15,000 to €25,000 per year.
Some families supplement their child’s education with AP courses or College Prep programs to prepare for US university applications. Legacy Online School provides exactly that: a flexible, WASC-accredited supplement that works around your child’s existing schedule.
Live lessons with qualified teachers. College Board-approved AP credits accepted by 500+ universities worldwide. No need to leave their current school.
According to the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, children in the Netherlands typically begin primary education at age 4, though compulsory attendance starts at 5. Most families integrate into either public or private schools in the Dutch education system early.
The Dutch School System
Primary education runs from ages 4 to 12. At the end of primary school, children take a placement test that determines their secondary school track.
The mainstream Dutch educational system splits into three main paths: VMBO (vocational), HAVO (general secondary), VWO (pre-university). Each leads to different levels of higher education – MBO for vocational training, HBO for higher professional education, or university.
Secondary education is obligatory until age 16 or until a pupil earns a basic qualification (usually a HAVO or VWO diploma, or MBO level 2). After 16, students can choose to continue or enter the workforce. Most stay in school.
Alternative pedagogies exist within the system. Montessori, Dalton, Jenaplan schools offer different teaching methods, but they’re still officially recognized schools that children must attend in person.
A Real Case: The Van der Berg Family in Utrecht
Lisa and Mark van der Berg moved to Utrecht from Canada in 2022. Their daughter Emma, then 13, enrolled in a local bilingual secondary school. The transition was tough.
Dutch as a second language. New social circles. Unfamiliar grading systems.
Emma wanted to stay on track for North American universities, so the family added AP courses from Legacy in her second year. She took AP English Literature and AP US History alongside her Dutch school program. The flexible schedule meant live lessons in the evenings.
Emma earned College Board credits, maintained her Dutch diploma path, and got accepted to McGill in 2025. No exemption needed. No legal risk.
What Legacy Offers Families in the Netherlands
We’re a WASC-accredited online school founded in 2023, serving 1,200+ students from 30+ countries. We don’t replace your child’s Dutch education. We add to it.
AP courses for motivated learners. College Guidance for US university applications. English language enrichment. Summer school programs. Part-time courses that fit around school commitments.
Classes are live, capped at 15 learners per group. Curriculum delivered via FlexPoint Education Cloud. Qualified teachers. QR-verified transcripts. Dual enrollment partnerships with Arizona State University and the University of South Florida.
Book a trial class to see how it works. No long-term commitment. One free session for your child and a parent meeting with our admissions team.
Top Tips from Our Expert
Maya Robinson, College Prep Advisor at Legacy Online School
- Don’t try to bypass Dutch law. Homeschool exemptions are almost impossible to get, and the legal risks aren’t worth it. Work within the system.
- Supplement strategically. AP courses give your child College Board credits that transfer to universities globally. Add them in grades 10–12 for maximum impact.
- Check your school’s flexibility. Some international schools in the Netherlands allow students to take external courses for credit. Ask before enrolling your child in supplementary programs.
- Language proficiency matters. If your child is learning Dutch as a second language, consider English-language AP courses to keep their academic momentum going while they catch up.
We are a US-accredited international online school that coexists with local schooling. Families are responsible for ensuring compliance with any local education requirements applicable to their situation.
Legacy Online School’s programs are offered as supplementary education for students in the Netherlands. Under Dutch law (Leerplichtwet 1969), children aged 5–16 residing in the Netherlands are required to attend an accredited school. Legacy Online School does not offer full-time K–12 education as a substitute for compulsory school attendance for students permanently residing in the Netherlands. Families are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with Dutch compulsory education requirements.
