School system & compulsory education Germany is known worldwide for its education system. Here you can find out more about the German school system. Germany's school system Your children need to attend school from the age of six, as school attendance is compulsory in Germany. The majority of schools in Germany are run by the state and offer free education. You also have the option of sending your children to fee-paying private and international schools. Home education is only allowed in exceptional cases, such as when children are ill and unable to attend school for a prolonged period. As a parent, you will receive an invitation from the relevant school authority with details of the exact dates and registration procedures. You can also obtain information on compulsory school attendance from the competent Ministry of Education. Education policy is the responsibility of Germany’s federal states. Searching the websites of the ministries in the relevant federal state is therefore the most effective way of finding a suitable school for your child. You can filter by region, school type and internationality. For more information about specialisations, all-day education and how to register, please visit the schools’ own websites. School search Websites for the school search by federal state Baden-Württemberg Bavaria Berlin Brandenburg Bremen Hamburg Hesse Mecklenburg-West Pomerania Lower Saxony North Rhine-Westphalia Rhineland-Palatinate Saarland Saxony Saxony-Anhalt Schleswig-Holstein

Health insurance In Germany, health insurance protects you in case you need medical care. Here you will find an overview of the types of health insurance and what they cover. On this page On this page Statutory health insurance Private health insurance Health insurance without an employer In Germany, you are required to take out health insurance. There are two main types: statutory health insurance and private health insurance. The two systems differ in what they cover and in the requirements you need to meet. Switching from one to the other is not always possible. If you are employed, contributions to your health insurance are usually deducted directly from your salary. Health insurance cover from the first day in Germany Take out travel health insurance in your home country to cover the period between your arrival and the start of your employment. Check in advance with the relevant German mission abroad which requirements your travel health insurance must meet. Make sure you have continuous insurance cover, particularly for the period between your arrival in Germany and the start of your regular health insurance. Depending on the purpose of your stay, you will then either have insurance cover through your employer or training company, or you will need to arrange it by yourself. Statutory health insurance Most employees in Germany have statutory health insurance. If you have statutory health insurance, you can choose from a wide range of health insurance providers to find

Schleswig-Holstein Schleswig-Holstein not only offers international professionals the chance to realise their career dreams in the “true north of Germany”, but also makes them want to spend their free time here doing leisure activities. Schleswig-Holstein offers a professional environment with a strong middle class and worldwide successful companies in future industries. Due to the proximity to Scandinavia in the north and the metropolitan region of Hamburg in the south, many companies inside the federal state maintain good networks and work together in an international environment, offer flat hierarchies, fast promotion opportunities and family-friendly working models. Numerous projects and initiatives in the state provide good conditions for entering the job market and for further professional training. At the same time, 1,190 kilometres of coastline on the North and Baltic Sea invite you to go for walks or do water sports such as sailing or kiteboarding. Keyfacts for Schleswig-Holstein Capital Kiel Important industries Logistics Craft business Tourism Care Population 2,965,691 Particularities Since 2015, Schleswig-Holstein has been covering its energy needs with renewable energies only - especially wind power. Additional contacts The official portal of Schleswig-Holstein Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI

Thuringia Thuringia has become one of the most dynamic regions with high growth rates. By dint of flexibility and innovation, small and medium-sized companies adapt quickly to new market developments and offer high job security for their employees. Thuringia is now considered a top location at the heart of Europe. Life in Thuringia is designed to feel good: rich in quality of life, culturally diverse, family-friendly and modern. Keyfacts for Thuringia Capital Erfurt Important industries Mechanical engineering Biotechnology Medical technology Metalworking industry Manufacturing of electronic and optical instruments and tools Manufacturing of motor vehicles and vehicle parts Health- and social care Creative industry Micro- and nanotechnology Manufacturing and installation of devices for using renewable energies (Greentech) Population 2,122,335 Particularities Innovative companies are looking for international professionals right at the heart of Europe: A nice place to live and work with your family. Additional contacts The official portal of Thuringia Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

Saxony-Anhalt Saxony-Anhalt is a modern business and science location situated in the heart of Germany and Europe. Universities, academies and other research facilities as well as local companies create a lively and innovative climate. Saxony-Anhalt is family-friendly: it offers low living costs, high quality standards and a rich offering of culture and nature. An open-minded attitude towards all people is a guiding principle. The state, regions and companies offer numerous support services for immigrants. Keyfacts for Saxony-Anhalt Capital Magdeburg Important industries Mechanical engineering Healthcare Metal industry Logistics Food industry Tourism Chemicals and synthetic materials industry Renewable energies/hydrogen IT with a focus on software development Automotive supplier industry Population 2,180,448 Particularities Saxony-Anhalt has the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Germany. Additional contacts The official portal of Saxony-Anhalt Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

Rhineland-Palatinate Rhineland-Palatinate is one of Europe’s high-tech regions, with above-average economic power, a high quality of life and a focus on export activities. Its family-friendly infrastructures –such as excellent schools, universities and educational institutions – as well as beautiful natural and cultural landscapes and the Rhine and Moselle rivers make the state located in the south-west of Germany a lovely place to be. Keyfacts for Rhineland-Palatinate Capital Mainz Important industries Chemicals and pharmaceuticals Automotive engineering (incl. suppliers) Metal production and processing, mechanical engineering Environmental technology, artificial intelligence and healthcare management Population 4,174,311 Particularities Six world-class wine-growing regions, a leading base for biotechnology and Germany's most extensive forest Additional contacts The official portal of Rhineland-Palatinate Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

Lower Saxony Strong companies, innovative minds and excellent research institutes have turned the state into an excellent location for business and research alike. Lower Saxony is Germany’s second-largest state and boasts beautiful landscapes between the Ems and Elbe rivers, the Harz skiing slopes and North Sea resorts, offering plenty of fun and relaxing leisure activities, as well as an excellent quality of life. Keyfacts for Lower Saxony Capital Hanover Important industries Automotive engineering Aerospace engineering Agricultural and food industries Power industry, including solar and wind power Healthcare, including life sciences and medicine Maritime industry Electric vehicles Information technology Population 8,161,981 Particularities Hanover is one of the world's leading trade fair venues. Additional contacts The official portal of Lower Saxony Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

Saxony Saxony is an excellent location for international companies and the federal state has developed dynamically over the last couple of years. This may be due to its attractive position between Western and Eastern Europe, as well as its population’s affinity with all matters technical: Saxony boasts the highest number of students who graduate with degrees in engineering, manufacturing and construction each year. Keyfacts for Saxony Capital Dresden Important industries Automotive engineering Mechanical and plant engineering Information and communcations technology (ICT) Microelectronics Environmental engineering and energy management Population 4,089,467 Particularities South of Dresden lies the Saxon Switzerland National Park - a popular destination for hiking and climbing enthusiasts Additional contacts The official portal of Saxony Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

North Rhine-Westphalia North Rhine-Westphalia is a diverse state with vibrant business centres, bustling cities and peaceful natural landscapes. The state is home to one of the strongest industrial regions in the world and offers one of the most vibrant cultural landscapes in Europe. An open-minded and future-oriented world view is what North Rhine-Westphalia is all about. Keyfacts for North Rhine-Westphalia Capital Düsseldorf Important industries Mechanical engineering Metalwork, metal production and processing Chemicals Healthcare Logistics Banks and insurances Information and communications (new media) Population 18,190,422 Particularities NRW is the German carnival stronghold. The Cologne carnival is one of the largest and most famous carnival celebrations in the world. Additional contacts The official portal of North Rhine-Westphalia Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

Saarland The federal state of Saarland has evolved from a traditional mining and steel location into a modern, international business region. Located in the south-west of Germany and bordering France and Luxembourg, Saarland boasts beautiful landscapes and low costs of living. Short distances and friendly people who are committed to their communities is what modern and vibrant Saarland is all about. Keyfacts for Saarland Capital Saarbrücken Important industries Mechanical engineering Healthcare Automotive engineering and supplying industry Steel industry Software development/IT Population 994,424 Particularities One third of the Saarland area is covered with forest. This makes it one of the most densely wooded federal states. Additional contacts The official portal of Saarland Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.