Moving to a new country always raises many questions, especially if you are a parent with school-age children. One of the first tasks after arrival is to find out how to enroll your child in school in Germany. Although the education system may seem complicated at first, it is actually quite straightforward once you understand how it works. Below is a detailed and simple guide to everything you need to know.
The school system in Germany differs from that in Ukraine. Here, education begins with Grundschule (primary school), which lasts four years (in some cases six). Children are then divided into different types of schools: Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium, or Gesamtschule, depending on their academic performance and future plans.
Education in Germany is free, and children must attend school until the age of 16–18, depending on the federal state. There are public and private schools, but most children attend public schools. There are also integrated schools where children of different abilities study in the same institution.
Each federal state has its own characteristics, but in general, education is compulsory from the age of 6. This means that even children who have just arrived must attend school. Fortunately, schools in Germany try to be flexible for Ukrainians — there is often language support or special classes to help with adaptation.
The first step is to decide where to live, because in Germany children are assigned to a school based on their address. Then contact the Schulamt (school authority), which will refer your child to the appropriate class and school. It is important to have proof of residence with you, without which it is almost impossible to start the process.
If your child does not speak German, they may first be sent to a so-called “welcome class.” There, they will gradually get used to the school routine, the language, and the new system.
Until your child is enrolled in school, you are responsible for their attendance, so don’t put off the process for too long.
These are special classes for children who have just arrived in the country and do not yet know the language. The main focus here is on learning German, adapting, and preparing for the transition to a regular class.
Such classes are usually found in regular public schools, but they teach fewer subjects, communicate more, and explain everything in a very simple way. The child learns to speak, listen, understand basic things, i.e., fully adapts. Training in these classes can last from several months to a year, depending on the child and the pace of language acquisition.
After completing the preparatory stage, the child is transferred to a regular class, where they continue their education alongside their peers.
After moving to Germany, the first thing parents need to do is contact their local Schulamt (education department). There, you will either be referred to a specific school or given an appointment to discuss the details. It is important not to delay this step, as school education is compulsory in Germany. Absences without official reasons can have legal consequences.
Before enrolling a child, a short interview is sometimes conducted. Its purpose is to assess the child’s level of German, understand their previous educational experience, and determine whether they need a preparatory course. It also helps to choose the appropriate class for further education.
You should bring a basic set of documents to the meeting (you will be told what these are, or you can find a list on your city’s website).
The next step is to register directly at the school. After receiving an official referral from the Schulamt, you go to the school, where you need to fill out a questionnaire and meet the administration. During the meeting, teachers may ask questions about the child’s language level, the specifics of their previous school, as well as their general emotional and psychological state.
Sometimes students are tested to better determine which class they should be placed in. Large schools may also offer an introductory tour to help your child adapt to the new environment more quickly.
To enroll your child in school, you will need:
Check the list at your local Schulamt or on your municipality’s website — it varies slightly from state to state.
At first glance, it may all seem a bit confusing. But when you start to figure it out step by step, it becomes clear that enrolling your child in school in Germany is not that difficult. It is just important to take it slowly and be open to new things. Then the adjustment will be easy for both your child and the whole family.
