Germany

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Francis White
Francis White
"I had the pleasure to meet so many interesting expats at a Frankfurt bar night that I found myself a new social circle in no time at all. "
Claudine Duret
Claudine Duret
"My expat contacts in the NGO circles of Freetown supported me a lot in getting adjusted to daily life in this country. "

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Germany: Family, Children & Education

The topics of family, children, and proper childcare and education have always been important and much-debated ones in Germany. With Germany’s declining birth rate and aging population, the government wants to see to it that families are supported in their wish to have children as much as possible.

However, this support is often most tangible in the form of financial benefits and tax breaks, and less in the form of additional infrastructure in the form of childcare options et cetera. Finding a place in a German kindergarten for your kid might take quite a bit of endurance on your part, as spaces are as rare as sought after. Even some of the other possible options might sometimes be hard to come by. We have detailed the issue in our article on childcare in Germany.

Articles about Family, Children & Education

  • Marriage in Germany

    Marriage in Germany

    When romance meets reality: Organizing their wedding in Germany can cost foreign residents some time and effort, especially for the required paperwork. Our expat guide introduces the legal framework for marriage in Germany. We provide administrative advice – and it’s your job to add the romance.
  • Pets in Germany

    Pets in Germany

    Lots of people proudly regard their pets as part of their family. However, if you would like these special family members to accompany you, you must consider the legal framework for pets in Germany. Our expat guide offers an overview of import rules and other information concerning pets in Germany.
  • Language in Germany

    Language in Germany

    Obviously, the major language in Germany is – German. But did you know that the country also has four official minority languages? Or that ‘Hund’ does not always mean ‘dog’ in some parts of Germany? Our expat guide to Germany introduces you to some interesting facts about the German language.
  • Learning German

    Learning German

    In daily life, many busy expats manage to get by without fluency in German. However, if you are interested in getting to know the language a little bit better, this guide is just the thing for you. It provides an intro to German as well as practical tips for language students.
  • Childcare and Kindergartens in Germany

    Childcare and Kindergartens in Germany

    Today, kindergartens in Germany are an integral, yet voluntary, part of the education system: Over 80% of all children between three and six years attend a kindergarten in Germany. The state supports parents with monetary incentives, such as tax reductions and child allowance (Kindergeld).
  • International Schools in Germany

    International Schools in Germany

    There is a wealth of international schools in Germany. They usually offer an international diploma, the German Abitur or both. But international schools in Germany may also provide learning conditions very different from those at your average public school – sometimes, this may not help them settle.
  • Schools in Germany

    Schools in Germany

    The state exercises a substantial degree of control over schools in Germany. Education becomes compulsory at the age of six for all resident children. No matter whether they have German or expat parents, they must start to attend one of the many elementary schools in Germany.
  • Universities in Germany

    Universities in Germany

    Germany’s Universities are open to students from all over the world, and the country is one of the most popular destinations among international students. If you want to attend Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Technische Universität Berlin, or any other German Hochschule, read on for more info!

Schools in Germany

If your child is already in the typical school age range, you will surely have less of a problem finding a suitable educational institution for them. Attending a German public school is one of the best ways for your child to acclimate to life in the new country. Schools are a dime a dozen in Germany, and chances are that there is one in your neighborhood as well. You should however first find out about the threefold school system in Germany to be able to decide which of the available options (Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium) fits your child and their abilities best. If you do not feel public schools are the best way to go for whichever reason, take a look at our article on International Schools in Germany.

Universities

With several hundred universities and colleges, Germany sure has no lack of institutions of higher education, many of which have risen to be famous nationwide and beyond. Nearly anything you might be able to think of can be studied in Germany, if not in one of the major institutions, then in a niche college. Thorough comparison of the various universities always pays off, as they obviously have different areas of expertise. However, being a student in Germany also comes with the inevitable red tape that seems to pervade most anything remotely official in Germany. With the right amount of preparations and contacts to people in similar situations, international students should be able to brave this obstacle without much hassle.
Francis White
Francis White
"I had the pleasure to meet so many interesting expats at a Frankfurt bar night that I found myself a new social circle in no time at all. "
Claudine Duret
Claudine Duret
"My expat contacts in the NGO circles of Freetown supported me a lot in getting adjusted to daily life in this country. "

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Germany Guide Topics

Visa & Administration
Transport & Driving
Social Security & Taxation
Health & Insurance
Family, Children & Education
Economy & Finance
Housing & Accommodation
Jobs & Business
Safety & Security
Media & Communication
Culture, Shopping & Recreation