Schools & family · 3 guides
International and public schools, their fees and deadlines, and family permits for non-EU residents.
Free for you — agencies pay for introductions, not for ranking.
International day schools charge CHF 14,390–39,700 a year in tuition (2026/27), and for the most popular ones you apply 12 to 18 months ahead. Public school is free and teaches in the local language; your address decides which school your child attends. That is why families usually choose the school first and the flat second.
Read the schools guide for fees and deadlines by region. If you live outside the EU/EFTA, the family reunification guide covers income, housing and the 12-month window for children over 12.
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| International day school tuition, 2026/27 | CHF 14,390–39,700 a year | Zurich International School, as of 24 Sep 2026 |
| When to apply | 12–18 months before the start date for popular schools | Schools guide, as of 28 Mar 2026 |
| Public school | Free, taught in the local language | Fedlex, as of 1 Jan 2026 |
| Non-EU family reunification, children over 12 | Apply within 12 months | Family permits guide, as of 3 Jun 2026 |
| Agencies on ReloFinder that do school search | 43 | ReloFinder directory, as of 24 Sep 2026 |
Each figure links to its source: an official page, a published price list, a guide or the ReloFinder directory.
Start with the first one. Most open with the short answer, and each shows when it was last updated.
Curricula, fees of CHF 15,000 to 45,000 a year and application timelines, region by region.
ReadBringing your family on a non-EU permit: income, housing and the 12-month window for children over 12.
ReadWhen an education consultant is worth it, and what school placement help usually includes.
ReadThe top 3 for school search by our ranking: verified Google reviews, weighted by how many there are, captured 24 September 2026. No agency can pay to rank.
Zurich · EN DE FR
Clients mention 8 consultants by name
“From day one, Corinne provided exceptional service during our recent relocation. She was friendly, organized, and so helpful when it came to paperwork and registration. Corrine communicates…”
Riehen · DE EN FR IT ES
Clients mention 2 consultants by name
“Recently relocated to Basel from US and very lucky to be guided through the integration process by Claudia. So many things managed perfectly including securing a wonderful apartment…”
Zürich · EN DE
Clients mention 2 consultants by name
“I couldn’t recommend Silver Nest Relocation more than enough to anyone searching for an apartment in Zürich’s competitive housing market. From the very beginning, Caroline was a huge help…”
Go further: School-search agencies · Agencies in Zug · Agencies in Geneva
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