School Enrollment in Berlin: Your Expat Guide to Schulanmeldung

April 4, 2026(updated May 30, 2026)

Enrolling your child in school in Berlin — Schulanmeldung — runs on a fixed timetable, a catchment system, and a couple of mandatory steps (a health check and proof of measles vaccination) that catch international families off guard. Here's how it works and what to prepare.

When your child starts school in Berlin

Children who turn six by September 30 must start school that school year (the Berlin Stichtag). Registration — Schulanmeldung — happens in the autumn of the year before your child starts. So a child starting in summer 2026 is registered in late 2025. The Schulamt (school authority) usually writes to you, but don't wait for the letter once the window is open.

The catchment school — and your right to ask for another

Berlin assigns each address a catchment primary school (Einzugsschule). You'll receive a letter naming yours and explaining how to register. You can express a preference for a different public school, or apply to private and international schools — but a place elsewhere isn't guaranteed, and popular schools fill up.

Two steps expat parents miss

Einschulungsuntersuchung (school-entry health examination): a mandatory check, run by the district health office (Gesundheitsamt), assessing whether your child is ready for school. You'll be invited around the enrolment period.
Measles vaccination proof: under Germany's Masernschutzgesetz, proof of measles vaccination (or immunity) is required to attend school. Bring the vaccination record (Impfpass).

Documents for Schulanmeldung

Come prepared with:

Your child's birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde)
Proof of residence (Meldebescheinigung)
The child's vaccination record (Impfpass), including measles
Your ID or passport

Some schools ask for additional paperwork — confirm with the school or Schulamt first.

Language support and school types

Children who don't yet speak German are often placed in Willkommensklassen (welcome classes) to build language skills before joining regular lessons — worth asking about. It also helps to understand the system early: after Grundschule (primary, grades 1–6 in Berlin), children continue to a Gymnasium or an Integrierte Sekundarschule (ISS). Knowing the path helps you plan.

The mix of fixed deadlines, a health exam, and vaccination rules makes Schulanmeldung easy to under-prepare for. PaperStork keeps expat parents in Berlin ahead of the dates and document requirements so your child's start isn't held up by a missing form.

Frequently asked questions

When does my child have to start school in Berlin?+

Children who turn six by September 30 must start school that school year. You register (Schulanmeldung) in the autumn of the year before your child starts.

What documents do I need for Schulanmeldung in Berlin?+

Typically your child's birth certificate, proof of residence (Meldebescheinigung), the vaccination record (Impfpass) including measles, and your ID or passport. Some schools request extra paperwork.

Is the measles vaccination mandatory for school in Berlin?+

Yes. Under the Masernschutzgesetz, proof of measles vaccination or immunity is required to attend school, so bring the child's vaccination record.

What is the Einschulungsuntersuchung?+

A mandatory school-entry health examination run by the district health office (Gesundheitsamt) to check whether your child is ready for school, scheduled around the enrolment period.

Can I choose a school other than my catchment school?+

You can express a preference for a different public school or apply to private and international schools, but placement isn't guaranteed. By default your child is assigned a catchment school (Einzugsschule).

Is there language support for children who don't speak German?+

Yes — many Berlin schools offer Willkommensklassen (welcome classes) that build German skills before children join regular lessons.