Quick answer
German School Nairobi charges EUR 13,350 a year for primary and EUR 15,350 for secondary in 2026/2027, including lunch, and EUR 9,300 for kindergarten. New families also pay an enrolment fee (EUR 1,000 for the first child), a EUR 3,000 capital levy and a refundable EUR 1,000 deposit, plus EUR 50 membership per parent.
Updated 18 October 2026
The German School Nairobi (Deutsche Schule Nairobi, DSN) is the city’s German-curriculum school, taking children from toddler group and kindergarten through primary and secondary school. It bills its fees in euros, and they include lunch. This guide sets out the official fee table for the 2026/2027 school year: tuition, kindergarten, enrolment fees, the one-time capital levy, the deposit, membership and school bus charges. Kenyan shilling figures are approximate, converted at the Central Bank of Kenya’s rate of KSh 144.43 to the euro on 15 October 2026, so the shilling cost will move with the exchange rate.
Annual school fees 2026/2027
| Section | Per year (includes lunch) | In shillings |
|---|---|---|
| Primary School, Class 1 to 4 | EUR 13,350 | about KSh 1,928,000 |
| Secondary School, Class 5 to 12 | EUR 15,350 | about KSh 2,217,000 |
Kindergarten fees
Kindergarten days run from 7.30am to 3.30pm, ending at 1pm on Fridays. Lunch is included.
| Group | Per year | In shillings |
|---|---|---|
| Toddler group (7.30am to 3.30pm) | EUR 9,850 | about KSh 1,423,000 |
| Kindergarten (7.30am to 3.30pm) | EUR 9,300 | about KSh 1,343,000 |
Joining the kindergarten waiting list costs EUR 100 (about KSh 14,000). It is refunded only if your child is offered a place.
One-off charges when you join
| Charge | Amount | In shillings |
|---|---|---|
| Enrolment fee, first child | EUR 1,000 | about KSh 144,000 |
| Enrolment fee, second child | EUR 800 | about KSh 116,000 |
| Enrolment fee, each further child | EUR 400 | about KSh 58,000 |
| Capital levy (primary and secondary), first child | EUR 3,000 | about KSh 433,000 |
| Capital levy, second and further children | EUR 1,500 | about KSh 217,000 |
| Capital levy, kindergarten (per child) | EUR 1,500 | about KSh 217,000 |
| Deposit per child (refundable) | EUR 1,000 | about KSh 144,000 |
The capital levy is a one-time infrastructure charge. The deposit is refunded when the child is deregistered and all dues are paid.
Membership fee
Membership of the school association is compulsory: EUR 50 (about KSh 7,000) a year for each parent or legal guardian, including the yearbook. Two parents therefore pay EUR 100 a year between them.
School bus fees
Bus service is subject to available seats. The school charges by zone:
| Zone | Areas | Per year | Per semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Runda, Gigiri, Rosslyn, Horse Shoe, Nyari, New Muthaiga | EUR 700 (about KSh 101,000) | EUR 400 |
| Zone 2 | Lake View, Loresho, Westlands (Donyo Sabuk, Brookside, Lower Kabete), Parklands, Muthaiga, Fourways, Five Star, Askari Lane, Kitisuru, Kyuna, Spring Valley, Bendera Lane | EUR 1,100 (about KSh 159,000) | EUR 600 |
| Zone 3 | Lavington, Kileleshwa, Kilimani, Riara and Ngong Road, Yaya, Hurlingham, Hatheru Road, Gitanga Road, Riverside Drive, Rhapta Road | EUR 1,300 (about KSh 188,000) | EUR 700 |
Paying per semester costs more over the year than paying annually (for example EUR 800 against EUR 700 in Zone 1).
What the first year costs
For a first child joining Class 1 with two parents as members, the first year adds up to:
- Tuition EUR 13,350, enrolment EUR 1,000, capital levy EUR 3,000, deposit EUR 1,000 and membership EUR 100
- Total EUR 18,450, about KSh 2,665,000, before bus fees
For a first child joining secondary school, the same items come to EUR 20,450, about KSh 2,954,000. From the second year, you pay only tuition, membership and bus fees, unless the school revises them. Siblings get lower enrolment and capital levy charges.
About the school
DSN describes itself as a community of more than 50 nationalities, mixing children who have moved from abroad with children growing up in Kenya. Its principal is Jörg Isenbeck. From 1 September 2026 the school added a new route for older students: after the Realschulabschluss (the German intermediate school certificate), they can take a two-year Fachhochschulreife course in business, tax, administration and business informatics, run with the International German School Brussels. Applications start with an online enquiry on the school’s admissions page, covering the child’s details, German level and intended start date.
Paying fees in euros from Kenya
Because the fees are in euros, a weaker shilling raises your bill. At KSh 144.43, a one-shilling move in the euro rate changes secondary school tuition by about KSh 15,000 a year. Families paying from shilling income often buy euros in instalments or ask their bank about forward contracts. If you are comparing this with other premium schools, see our guides to international schools in Kenya, Hillcrest fees and Brookhouse fees.
Frequently asked questions
How much are German School Nairobi fees for 2026/2027?
EUR 13,350 a year for primary (Class 1 to 4) and EUR 15,350 for secondary (Class 5 to 12), including lunch.
How much is the German School Nairobi kindergarten?
EUR 9,300 a year for kindergarten and EUR 9,850 for the toddler group, both including lunch.
What one-off fees does the German School Nairobi charge?
An enrolment fee (EUR 1,000 for the first child), a one-time capital levy (EUR 3,000 for the first child in primary or secondary) and a refundable EUR 1,000 deposit.
Is the deposit refundable?
Yes, when the child is deregistered and all dues have been paid.
Does the German School Nairobi have a school bus?
Yes, subject to availability, at EUR 700 to EUR 1,300 a year depending on the zone.
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