Germany · Schulanmeldung

Enrol your child in school in Germany

Schooling is compulsory (Schulpflicht) in Germany from around age six, and you enrol your child at the responsible local school or through the Schulamt. Children who don't yet speak German are usually placed in a welcome class (Willkommensklasse / Vorbereitungsklasse) until they can follow lessons in a regular class.

State schools are free; enrolment for the autumn start usually happens the winter or spring before.

Good to know — wherever you live

  • Your address decides the catchment school (Sprengelschule) in most states — the Schulamt or city website tells you which school your child belongs to.
  • Children arriving mid-year can start almost immediately; contact the Schulamt and they'll assign a place, often with a Willkommensklasse for German.
  • For the regular autumn Einschulung, register the winter or spring before — cities send reminders, but new arrivals should approach the school or Schulamt themselves.
  • Bring your child's vaccination record: proof of measles immunisation (Masernschutz) is legally required to attend school or Kita.
  • After primary school (Grundschule) the system splits into different secondary tracks — ask the school for guidance on Gymnasium, Realschule and comprehensive (Gesamtschule) options.

Now pick your city

The office, booking portal and local quirks differ from city to city — your city's guide has the exact steps, documents and booking link.

BerlinMunichHamburgFrankfurtCologneDüsseldorfStuttgartLeipzigDortmundEssenBremenDresdenHannoverNurembergBonnMannheimKarlsruheMünsterAachenMainzAugsburgWiesbadenBielefeldBochumWuppertalFreiburgHeidelbergDarmstadtRegensburgWürzburgKielLübeckPotsdamSaarbrücken

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