International schools in Sofia: fees, curricula

At a glance

Total time: Apply by spring for September
Official fees: About €7,000 to €25,600 a year
Where: Each school’s admissions office
Bulgarian needed?: Most teach in English

Sofia has more than a dozen international and bilingual schools. Most teach in English and follow the International Baccalaureate (IB), British or American curriculum. Fees vary a lot, so compare carefully and visit before you decide.

The main schools

School	Curriculum	Ages	Rough yearly fees
Anglo-American School of Sofia	IB (PYP and Diploma), American	3 to 18	€12,000 to €25,600, plus fees
British School of Sofia	British (IGCSE, A level) and IB Diploma	2 to 18	About €10,000 to €18,000
St. George International School	British (Cambridge, IGCSE) and American AP	2 to 18	About €11,500 to €19,500
American College of Sofia	Bulgarian state school with American teaching, IB	13 to 19	Entry by exam; fees vary
Zlatarski International School	IB	3 to 18	Lower than the big three
Uwekind International School	IB	3 to 18	About €7,000 to €8,500

These are rough figures from school and comparison websites for the 2026 to 2027 school year. They are only tuition: expect one-off entrance and registration fees, a yearly building fee at some schools, and extra for transport, lunches, uniforms and exam fees. Always ask each school for its current fee sheet.

Other options

Language schools: Sofia has French, German, Spanish, Italian and Russian schools, some run by or linked to those countries. They are useful if your child already studies in that language.
Bilingual private schools: several schools teach in Bulgarian and English. They usually cost less than the international schools.
State schools: free, and many are good, but teaching is in Bulgarian. Young children often adapt quickly, older children find it harder.

How to choose

Decide on the curriculum. If you may move again, pick one your next country recognises, such as the IB or British exams.
Check the commute. Several schools are in the south of the city, near Vitosha, and Sofia traffic is slow at rush hour. See our Sofia neighbourhoods guide.
Ask about waiting lists. Popular year groups fill up, so apply early, ideally by the spring before the school year.
Ask what is included: lunches, bus, trips, learning support and English as an additional language often cost extra.
Visit, meet teachers and ask other parents. Local expat parent groups are a good place to ask.

Documents you will usually need

Your child’s passport and birth certificate.
School reports from the last two years.
Vaccination records.
For state schools, documents translated into Bulgarian and, for some, recognised by the regional education office.

Common mistakes

Choosing a flat first and a school second, then facing an hour each way in traffic.
Comparing only tuition, and missing the entrance, building and transport fees.
Leaving applications to the summer, when the class you want is full.

Sources

Fees change every year. Check them with each school before you apply. ExpatBG is not paid by any school listed here.