Compulsory schooling in Germany is stricter than newcomers expect: it binds the child, permits no home schooling and does not depend on nationality. Understanding its boundaries comes before everything else, because the age cut-off decides which year registration is even due.
Compulsory schooling: stricter than most expect
In Germany the child is legally obliged to attend school, not the parent — home schooling is not an option. The duty arises automatically by age, regardless of nationality or residence status.
✓ Verified: 15/08/2026
WHAT TO DO
› Details and tips
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Max recommends:
We arrived in July assuming there was time to settle before September. Registration had already run in winter — we ended up sorting it through the school authority.
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Lea recommends:
Look up your state’s cut-off date before you look up schools. Two weeks either side decides whether your child starts this year or next.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
At what age does compulsory schooling start? ▾
Generally at six, but the precise boundary is set by a cut-off date that differs between federal states. Children turning six after that date usually start the following year. Look up the rule for your own state.
Does it apply to foreign children? ▾
Yes. The duty attaches to the child’s residence, not to nationality or residence permit. It arises for children who have just arrived and does not depend on whether the parents’ paperwork is complete.
Is home schooling allowed? ▾
No. Unlike in many countries, home schooling is not a lawful alternative in Germany: the law requires attendance at a school. Exceptions are very narrow and usually health-related.
What happens if a child does not attend? ▾
It is a breach: the school authority contacts you first, fines follow, and in serious cases the youth welfare office becomes involved. This is not a formality — the duty is enforced.