If you are being joined by your family during your stay in Germany, this page will provide information about schooling and family benefits for those residing in Germany. 

Balancing careers with families can be a challenge at home, but can be an even greater challenge in new surroudings. This sections provides general information about education for younger children and those required to attend school. 

In Germany, children under three are cared for at nurseries, which often also offer daycare including a midday meal. For children from three to six there are kindergartens. Kindergardens are also voluntary and differ between part-time (generally in the mornings) and full-day care. If you are looking for full-day care for your child, you need to look for a “Tagesstättenplatz” (daycare place) which would either be at a "Kindertagesstätte" (daycare centre - Kita) or a "Ganztagskindergarten" (full-day kindergarten). Should you get a space in full-day care, a midday meal will usually be provided. 

A large number of day care facilities offer a comprehensive basis to look after young children. Two thirds of all day care facilities in Germany are maintained by private organisations (e.g. AWO) or organitions of the catholic (Caritas) or protestant (Diakonie) churches. The majority of public-sector facilities are maintained by municipalities. As many universities and research institutions offer childcare facilities to their employees, it is advisable to first get in contact with your employer to find out whether they provide daycare services.

When looking for a daycare placement for your child, the situations between smaller towns and cities differ greatly. In smaller towns, there is usually not as large a selection of care providers. Day care facilities in cities are often at the limit of their capacity, and finding an open spot can prove a challenge. It is important to note that often the city where you are resident determines where you are able to get care for your child. Starting your search for childcare early and being aware of the different educational philosophies is an important step towards getting your child the right kind of care. 

All children living in Germany are required to attend school between the ages of 6 and 15. The first stage of school is called “Grundschule” (Years 1-4). After this, there is a choice between three different types of school: “Hauptschule”, which continues until Year 9 or 10 and leads to a general school leaving certificate called the “Hauptschulabschluss”; “Realschule”, which continues until Year 10 and culminates in an intermediate school leaving certificate known as the “Realschulabschluss” and “Gymnasium”, which continues until Year 12 or 13 and leads to the senior school leaving certificate or “Abitur". The "Abitur" is the entrance qualification for higher education. Apart from these, there is another school form known as the “Gesamtschule”, which is a comprehensive school combining these three types of school under one roof where pupils are divided according to their performance.

Attendance at state-run schools in Germany is free of charge. Parents, however, have to pay for some of the books, teaching materials and for excursions their children take part in. There are only very few private or international fee-paying schools. The local “Schulamt” (education authority) can provide information on the situation in your area. 

"Grundschulen" (primary schools) are usually assigned based on the school district you and your family live in or will be living in once you arrive. For secondary schools, parents usually decide which school their child will attend following a visit and an interview with the headteacher. There are also generally several different forms of secondary schools for older children to continue to their school education, though these school forms are sometimes also combined into a single school called a "Gesamtschule" (comprehensive school). Further information about different school types can be found in the links listed under "Further Information". 

At present, however, many Federal States are reorganising and turning schools into full-day schools. There are various school models and some schools might have special focuses on specific subjects. In some schools, students must  attend all day while in others, known as “Offene Ganztagsschulen” (open full-day schools), afternoon school is voluntary. Full-day schools will generally provide lunch on the days they are open all day. Parents are expected to pay income-related contributions for full-day options and additional charges for lunch may be required.

At most schools in Germany, lessons take place between the morning and early afternoon. Some schools additionally offer special integration courses for children coming from abroad.

Depending on the Federal State, the school year normally begins after the summer holidays between July and September.