Compulsory schooling and homeschooling in Germany

In short: Germany has general compulsory schooling, requiring attendance at a state-recognised school. Homeschooling in the sense of completely forgoing school attendance is, unlike in many other countries, generally not permitted.

In more detail: Compulsory schooling is enshrined in the school laws of the federal states and monitored by school authorities.

In detail

• Exceptions: Serious illness or disability can allow time-limited exceptions with alternative schooling.
• Fines: Violations of compulsory schooling can lead to fines or, as a last resort, other measures.
• International differences: Countries such as the USA or the UK allow homeschooling under certain conditions.
• Alternative school types: Those dissatisfied with the regular system can turn to alternative schools such as Montessori or Waldorf (freie-schulen-montessori-und-waldorf).
• Distance schooling abroad: Special rules apply for longer stays abroad depending on the federal state.
• Debate: Advocates of more flexibility point to individual learning needs, critics to social integration.
• Legal recourse: In conflicts with school authorities, counselling services and, if in doubt, lawyers can help.