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FAQ Germany*

education

CHILDCARE

1. What childcare options are available in Germany?

  • In Germany, all children – including refugee children – are entitled to care in a nursery or day care (age 1-3) or in a day care center (Kita) or kindergarten (age 3-6). Details vary by state. 
  • The opening hours depend on the care facility. The care facilities are generally open all year round, from Monday to Friday and are closed only on public holidays. 
  • There is no right to day care for school children (age 6-14). 

2. How do I find a childcare place for my child?

There are government agencies that can help you find a childcare place. First of all, contact the Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) at your place of residence (German/English). The Youth Welfare Office can also answer further questions about childcare. 

However, in many cities and municipalities there is a lack of adequate care for children under the age of 6. It is sometimes very difficult to get a childcare place. There are often waiting lists. Therefore, you should take action yourself. Find out which childcare facilities are in your vicinity and ask if there are any vacancies. If there are no childcare places available, ask the facility to register you on the waiting list. You can find Kitas close to your place of residence online (for example, via Google or via Kita.de (German)). 

You can find instructions on how to find a childcare place and further information here in German, Ukrainian, Russian and English. 

3. How much does a childcare place for my child cost?

The costs for a childcare place vary according to the state and the municipality. In some cases, childcare places are free of charge. For refugee children, the Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) pays the costs of childcare on request. There may also be additional financial support for excursions or lunch. The Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) at your place of residence will advise you on the details of the application for cost coverage.  

4. How does childcare work while I need to work?

For more information on possible ways to arrange childcare for times you will be working, see our chapter work and taxes, question 18.   

SCHOOL

5. How does the school system work in the various federal states?

School policy falls within the competence of the federal states, which is why there are differences between the federal states.

  • Here you can find a
    collection of links we have put together
    for the individual federal states in Germany.

  • Information on the integration of refugee children and young people into the German school system can be found here or here (German/English/Ukrainian/Russian) for the various federal states.

A brochure about the school system in Germany can be downloaded here: (German, English, Russian).

If you have any questions, you can also contact the Youth Migration Service (Jugendmigrationsdienst) (German/English/Russian) in your area or call the Parent Hotline (German/English/Ukrainian/Russian). 

School degrees from the individual federal states are recognized throughout Germany. 

6. Do I have to pay for my child to go to school?

No, attending a public school is free of charge in Germany.  

7. Does my child have to go to school?

  • In principle, there is a compulsory school requirement in Germany (Schulpflicht), which means that all children and young people must attend a school until a certain age. This also applies to refugee children and young people who are not only temporarily in Germany. It is the parents’ obligation to ensure that their child attends school. 
  • Compulsory education for children begins when the child is 6 years of age by the respective deadline. The deadline is different in the individual federal states, often it is the 30th June of a year. In exceptional cases, children younger or older than 6 years of age may also be enrolled. 
  • The first day of school (beginning of the 1. class) is different in the federal states. The school year begins between the middle of August and the middle of September of each year. 
  • Compulsory education for children and young people is required in the federal states for at least 9 or 10 school years. Subsequently, in some federal states, there is an obligation to attend a vocational school (Berufsschule). 

8. What types of schools are there?

  • From 1. to 4. class of school, all children attend a primary school, in some federal states until 6. class. 
  • After primary school, all children move to one of the following secondary schools: 
  • Hauptschule or Mittelschule (up to 9. or 10. class) 
  • Realschule (up to 10. class) 
  • Gymnasium (up to 12. or 13. class) 
  • In some cases, these schools have different names. In addition, there are comprehensive schools (Gesamtschulen) in some federal states, which combine all 3 types of schools. The school to which a child moves after primary school depends on its school grades.  

With a degree from a Hauptschule, a Realschule or a Gymnasium, you can start a vocational training (Berufsausbildung). When graduating from a Gymnasium, one acquires the highest school degree, the Abitur. The Abitur entitles you to study at a university. 

9. Does my child need to speak German to go to school?

No, your child does not need to speak German to attend a school. In many schools, children who speak little or no German receive additional training. In some cases, refugee children first attend preparatory classes or German classes, in which they are taught in German. They are then admitted to the regular school classes. 

10. How do I find a school for my child?

As a rule, children must attend the primary school (Grundschule) which is located in their school district near their place of residence. With regard to secondary schools (Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium), you may be able to choose where your child should attend school. 

Admission to schools is regulated differently in the federal states. You can find out which school your child can or must attend from the municipal or city administration or directly from the schools in your place of residence. 

11. What are my responsibilities as a parent?

After you have found a school for your child, you need to make sure that your child goes to school every day. The following topics are particularly important: 

  • Bring your child to school daily and on time (Monday to Friday, not on public holidays). 
  • Provide your child with all the necessary materials (such as schoolbooks, notebooks, pens, sports equipment). 
  • Provide your child with something to eat and drink. 
  • Make sure your child always does its homework and prepares for tests. 
  • If your child is sick or you cannot take it to school (for example, because you are sick), inform the school. 

 

12. Where can I find free Ukrainian learning materials and courses for my child on the Internet?

Online you will find various providers offering free textbooks for children in Ukrainian, such as mundo.school and lib.imzo.gov.ua. There are also several courses offered by Ukrainian online schools, in which your child can usually participate free of charge, such as mon-gov-UA and lms.e-school.net.ua. 

13. I have a school diploma from a foreign school – is it recognized in Germany?

It is possible to have a school diploma obtained abroad recognized in Germany. You can find instructions on how to proceed with the recognition procedure and which documents you need at the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) (German/English). You can also find instructions on the procedure of recognition here (German/English/Ukrainian). 

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

14. What is vocational training?

In a vocational training (Berufsausbildung), knowledge and skills are taught so that you can work in a specific profession. This applies to professions that do not require a degree from a university. There are 2 forms of vocational training in Germany: In-company training and school education. 

  • In-company training (betriebliche Ausbildung) takes place directly at a company and is divided into 2 parts. The theoretical training takes place in vocational schools (Berufsschulen) and other educational institutions. The practical training takes place in the company where the training is completed. In-company training usually lasts from 2 to 3.5 years and is usually free of charge. During the training, you will receive a monthly salary (Ausbildungsvergütung), which is contractually agreed with the company. The level of salary varies between the different professions and companies. Through the training, you obtain a degree that is recognized by the state (in the case of so-called “recognized training professions” (anerkannter Ausbildungsberuf)).  
  • School education (schulische Ausbildung) mainly takes place in a vocational school (Berufsschule) and usually requires a secondary school qualification (Hauptschule or Realschule). In addition, several weeks of internships are completed during school education. The duration of the training is usually between 1 and 3.5 years. Training at a state vocational school or other educational institution is free of charge. In most cases, you will not receive a salary during your school education. During a school education, you can receive state financial support (Federal Training Assistance, BAföG) (German/English). For more information, please contact the vocational school you wish to attend. For more information about BAföG, see our chapter "Social welfare". 

Further information on the subject of vocational training can be found at the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) and at berufenavi.de (German/English/Ukrainian/Russian). The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) (German/English/Ukrainian/Russian) as well as the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Job Center in the city or district where you live offer free advice.

15. At what age can I start vocational training?

You can start vocational training as soon as you are no longer required to attend school (after 9 to 10 school years, for more information, see question 7), which means usually at the earliest at the age of 15 or 16. There is no maximum age at which you can no longer complete vocational training. 

16. Do I need to speak German to start a vocational training?

The knowledge of German required for the start of a vocational training depends on the vocational school and the respective training company. For more information, contact the vocational school or the company directly. 

17. Do I need a school diploma to start vocational training?

No, in principle, you do not need a specific school diploma to be able to start vocational training. However, companies can decide for themselves which school degree they require for training. As a rule, at least a Hauptschule degree is required. 

Starting a school education usually requires at least a Realschule degree. 

If you have a school degree from abroad, you may have it recognized in Germany. You can find instructions on how to proceed with the recognition procedure and which documents you need at the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) (German/English/Ukrainian). 

18. Can I start a vocational training in Germany?

This depends largely on the type of vocational training you want to start and the status of your stay. 

A school education (for more information, see question 14) in a vocational school is not considered work. Therefore, you do not need a work permit to start a school education. 

You usually need a work permit to start an in-company training course (see question 14). You may work in Germany without restriction if you have a residence permit (§§ 24, 25 para. 1 or 2  AufenthG). For more information, see our chapter work and taxes, question 1. If you have a residence permit (§ 55 Asylum Act, AsylG) or a toleration (§ 60a AufenthG), you usually need a work permit from the immigration office to start an in-company training. 

19. How do I find a training place and how do I apply?

There are various institutions and positions that can help you find a training place, such as the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) (German/Ukrainian). In addition, there are many websites where you can find training places. The application will be submitted directly to the desired training company. For more information an overview of both questions, see our chapter "work and taxes", question 2. 

STUDY

20. Can I study in Germany?

In principle, foreign citizens are allowed to study in Germany. However, certain regulations apply under which conditions foreign nationals may enter Germany and stay in Germany. For more information, see our chapter "Residence". For more information on studying in Germany, see questions 21-25. 

21. What types of universities are there in Germany?

In Germany, there are different types of universities, which include universities and universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschule, FH). The different types of universities have different priorities in education. You can find more information on the website of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) (German/English/Ukrainian). 

22. What degree do I need in order to study in Germany?

In principle, a degree from a Gymnasium (Abitur, for more details on various school degrees see question 8) is required for studying at a German university. As a rule, a so-called Fachabitur is sufficient for studying at a university of applied sciences. In some cases, you can also study without an Abitur or Fachabitur. The conditions for this vary between the federal states and the individual universities. For refugees from Ukraine, there may be special regulations at individual universities or in some federal states. If you want to start a course of study without Abitur or Fachabitur, you can inform yourself directly at the desired university. 

In addition, there is the possibility to have school diplomas awarded abroad recognized in Germany. You can find instructions on how to proceed with the recognition procedure and which documents you need at the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) (German/English/Ukrainian). 

23. Do I need to speak German to start studying?

  • Most courses at German universities are taught exclusively or largely in German and require a good knowledge of German. Some of the courses are also offered in English. Inform yourself directly at the university which language skills are required for the desired course of study. For refugees from Ukraine, there are some free programs at the universities that can prepare you for your studies. 
  • Information on how to learn German and prepare yourself for studying at a German university can be found on the website of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) (German/English/Ukrainian). 

24. Do I have to pay to study at a German university?

  • Studying at a German public university is usually free of charge. However, you have to pay a semester fee, which depending on the university amounts to approx. € 200-300 per semester (one half-year/6 months). At many universities, the semester fee includes the cost of a ticket for public transport in the region of the university. 
  • Foreign students can also receive state financial support for their studies (Federal Training Assistance, BAföG) (German/English) if they have or have applied for a residence permit according to § 24 para. 1 AufenthG. You can also find more information about BAföG in our FAQ on social benefits. In addition, German universities and various organizations offer financial support. Information on financing your studies can be found on the website of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) (German/English/Ukrainian). 

25. Can I have my previous studies from Ukraine or abroad recognized in Germany?

If you have started studies at a foreign university, there are ways to continue your studies at a German university. The prerequisites depend heavily on the studies attended so far and the German university. In some cases, previous studies may not entitle you to study at a German university. The final decision on the recognition of academic studies is made by the respective university. Therefore, it is best to contact the university where you would like to continue your studies and ask for information. Further information can be found on the website of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) (German/English/Ukrainian). 

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

26. Do I need a specific professional qualification to work in Germany?

In most professions, you are allowed to work in Germany without a specific professional qualification. Some professions (so-called regulated professions), on the other hand, may only be exercised with a certain professional qualification (e.g. doctor, architect, teacher, lawyer).  

27. Can I have a professional qualification obtained abroad recognized in Germany?

In principle, it is possible to have professional qualifications obtained abroad recognized in Germany. This applies to regulated professions and also to non-regulated professions (see question 26). The possibilities and requirements for recognition depend on the acquired professional qualification and the German requirements for the professional qualification. You can find more information on the recognition of professional qualifications here in English, German and Ukrainian. In addition, you can get free advice on the recognition of professional qualifications from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) (German/English). 

* No guarantee can be given for the correctness and completeness of the information published in the FAQ. The published FAQs contain general information that cannot reflect every individual case.

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