Primary and Secondary Schools in Germany

School education in Germany is run by the Länder (federal states), so school types, names and some rules differ from one state to another. What is common to all: schooling is compulsory from the year a child turns six, for nine years of full-time school, and the whole school system is under state supervision under the Basic Law (Grundgesetz). For families moving to Germany and for exchange pupils, the main choices are between public schools, state-approved private schools and a small number of bilingual or international schools.

SpainExchange lists one primary and secondary school in Germany: the Freie Schule Anne-Sophie in Künzelsau.

How the school system works

• Early childhood education (Kita) is not part of the state school system and is mostly provided by non-public bodies
• Grundschule (primary school): grades 1 to 4 in almost all Länder, grades 1 to 6 in Berlin and Brandenburg
• Lower secondary: traditionally Hauptschule, Realschule and Gymnasium; most Länder now combine the first two in schools offering several courses of education
• Upper secondary: the gymnasiale Oberstufe, with a one-year introductory phase and a two-year qualification phase, or vocational schools and the dual system

The early division after grade 4 leads to three main school-leaving qualifications: the Erster Schulabschluss, the Mittlerer Schulabschluss and the Allgemeine Hochschulreife (Abitur), which gives access to university. In almost all Länder the Abitur is obtained after 12 or 13 years of school. Young people who leave full-time school after compulsory schooling must usually attend a Berufsschule part-time for three years, typically alongside training in a company.

Private schools

The Basic Law guarantees the right to set up private schools. Two kinds exist at secondary level. Ersatzschulen (alternative schools) replace a public school, need state approval, and pupils can complete compulsory schooling there; they include denominational, reformist, bilingual and international schools and boarding schools. Ergänzungsschulen (complementary schools) offer types of education that public schools do not, mostly vocational, and only have to notify the authorities. Private primary schools are the exception and are allowed only under strict conditions.

A state-approved school does not automatically award public qualifications: without state recognition, its pupils take an external examination before a state board. Families should therefore ask whether a private school is state-approved or state-recognised. School fees at Ersatzschulen may be charged but must be socially equitable, so many offer reductions, for example for siblings.

The Freie Schule Anne-Sophie, run by the Stiftung Würth, describes itself as a complement to the conventional school landscape. It has two sites: an all-day school in Künzelsau with primary, Hauptschule, Realschule and Gymnasium courses, and a German-English bilingual all-day school in Berlin.

Admission and residence for international pupils

Children who live in Germany attend school under the rules of their Land; the local school authority or the school itself explains admission. Pupils from outside the EU who come only to attend school need a residence permit. Under section 16f of the Residence Act, a permit for school attendance is normally granted from grade 9, at public or state-recognised schools with an international orientation, or at privately funded schools that prepare for international, foreign or state-recognised qualifications. Permits are also possible for school exchanges. These permits do not allow paid work.

How to choose a school

• Länder rules: school types and the length of the Gymnasium differ between states
• Status: public school, state-approved or state-recognised private school, or complementary school
• Language: German at most schools; bilingual or international profiles at some private schools
• Qualification: whether the school leads to the Abitur or to an international or foreign qualification
• All-day care and fees: check the timetable and any socially graded fees

Frequently asked questions

At what age do children start school in Germany?

Compulsory schooling generally begins in the year a child turns six and lasts nine years of full-time schooling.

Are private schools in Germany expensive?

State-approved private schools may charge fees, but the Basic Law requires that pupils can attend regardless of their parents' means, so fees must be socially equitable and are often reduced for families with limited means.

Can a foreign pupil come to Germany just to attend school?

Yes, under conditions: a residence permit for school attendance is normally granted from grade 9 at schools with an international orientation or preparing for international qualifications, and for school exchanges.