Schulpflicht & School System in Germany

Compulsory Education in Germany

In Germany, compulsory education applies — every child must attend school. This also applies to children of foreigners, regardless of residency status.

Duration

• Full-time compulsory education: 9–10 years (depending on federal state)
• Vocational school obligation: until age 18 (if no Abitur)
• Start: Children who turn 6 by June 30th

The School System

Grundschule (Grades 1–4)

• All children attend Grundschule together
• Duration: 4 years (in Berlin and Brandenburg: 6 years)
• Afterwards: Recommendation for a secondary school

Secondary Schools (from Grade 5 onwards)

Which School for My Child?

At the end of 4th grade, the primary school provides a recommendation. In most federal states, parents decide — the recommendation is not binding.

Costs

• State schools: free (no tuition fees)
• School textbooks: depending on state, free or rental fee (approx. €30–50/year)
• School supplies (notebooks, pens): approx. €50–100/year
• Bildung und Teilhabe (BuT): Families receiving benefits or with low income receive subsidies for school materials (€195/year)

For Immigrant Children

• Willkommensklassen / Vorbereitungsklassen: Children without German language skills first attend a special class for learning German
• Duration: 1–2 years, then transition to regular class
• Free and mandatory

Tips

• Register your child immediately after enrollment with the responsible school authority
• The school informs about support options (tutoring, language courses)
• Parent evenings and parent-teacher conferences are important — participate

As of: March 2026. All information without guarantee.