Homeschooling in Germany
Homeschooling banned; school attendance compulsory from age 6.
Homeschooling is banned in Germany under strict compulsory school attendance (Schulpflicht) laws in all 16 states. The Federal Constitutional Court has upheld this in cases like Konrad, prioritizing state-supervised school attendance over parental educational choices except in rare medical cases. Parents must enroll children in approved public or private schools.
Quick Reference
School Days
-
No minimum
Hours Required
-
No minimum
Subjects
0
required
Notification
Yes
as needed
Key Requirements at a Glance
- Schulpflicht gem. GG Art. 7 Abs. 1 erfordert Besuch staatlich genehmigter Schulen.
- BVerfG 1 BvR 868/04 (2006) schließt Hausunterricht aus religiösen/pädagogischen Gründen aus.
- Ausnahmen nur für Krankheit (ärztlich attestiert), Diplomatenkinder oder Schaustellerfamilien.
- Vollzeitschulpflicht typisch ab 6 bis 15/16, dann Berufsschule bis 18.
- Verstöße strafbar mit Bußgeldern bis 10.000 € je Bundesland.
- Elterliche Erziehungsrechte (GG Art. 6 Abs. 2) unterliegen staatlicher Aufsicht.
- Regelung in Landes-Schulgesetzen, einheitlich durch KMK koordiniert.
Legal Framework
Grundgesetz (GG) Artikel 7 Absatz 1 regelt die Schulpflicht als staatliche Aufgabe und weist den Eltern die Mitwirkungspflicht zu. Bundesverfassungsgericht (BVerfG) Beschluss vom 29. April 2006, 1 BvR 868/04 (Konrad-Fall), bestätigt die Verfassungsmäßigkeit der Schulpflicht unter Ausschluss des Hausunterrichts aus pädagogischen oder religiösen Gründen. Schulpflicht detailliert in den Landes-Schulgesetzen (z.B. SchulG BW §§ 71-76, SchUG Hessen § 68), verwaltet von den Kultusministerien der Länder und der Ständigen Konferenz der Kultusminister (KMK).
Filing Requirements
What to file
Antrag auf Befreiung von der Schulpflicht
When
Before absence begins
Where
Lokales Schulamt
How to submit
Written application in German
What to include
- • Ärztliches Attest, detailed medical justification
Renewal required for continued absence
How to Get Started
- 1
Obtain medical certificate
- 2
Submit written request to Schulamt
- 3
Await approval
- 4
Comply with supervision
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Legal during verified illness
Cons
- •Highly restrictive
- •Temporary only
Questions about homeschooling in Germany
Can I homeschool for religious reasons?
No, the BVerfG Konrad decision (1 BvR 868/04) explicitly rejects exemptions for religious or pedagogical reasons.
What happens if my child misses school?
Violations result in fines up to 10,000 €, compulsory attendance orders, and possible Jugendamt involvement.
Is homeschooling allowed for illness?
Yes, but only with medical attestation and approval from Schulamt; temporary and supervised.
Do diplomats' children need to attend school?
Exemptions possible for children of diplomats or traveling families like showmen.
Can I use online schools from abroad?
No, children must attend approved German schools; foreign online programs do not fulfill Schulpflicht.
What schools are approved?
Public schools, state-approved private schools, or Ersatzschulen; enrollment mandatory from age 6.
How does compulsory age work?
Full-time from age 6 to 15/16 (grade 9/10), then part-time Berufsschule to 18.
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Keep your Germany records in order
Starpath Records tracks attendance, hours, and work samples, and turns them into the reports the rules expect. Works with any curriculum. Germany tools are on the way; join the list and be first in.
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Last updated: 2026-04-26 · DE homeschool law guide