Most German schools are run by the state and there is no charge for your children to attend. In addition, there are private and international schools which charge fees. The individual states are responsible for
Public schools offering primary and secondary education are free. However, parents may be asked to contribute towards extra-curricular activities, such as school trips and excursions. There are usually subsidies and bursaries for families on lower incomes.
Germany sees education as something valuable and not a commercial product or commodity. Germany is one of the few countries in Europe that offer free education not just to EU students but to all international students. They believe free access to higher education will build economic growth and the country's welfare.
Where Does the Funding Come From? Education in Germany is currently public-funded, and higher education institutions are given a budget each year from the ministry of education. This budget allows colleges and universities to provide free education to both national and international students.
Only public universities in Germany offer free tuition. Private universities are significantly more expensive and do not usually offer scholarships. However, this does not mean that your quality of education is low. It can be difficult to get into these universities as you are competing with a wide pool of candidates.
Everyone can study in Germany tuition-free!
That's right: Germans, Europeans, and all non-Europeans can study in Germany free of charge - without tuition fees. It does not matter if you are from the EU or EEA. This applies to almost all study programmes at public universities.
Government schools (also known as public schools) are free to attend for Australian citizens and permanent residents, while Catholic and independent schools usually charge attendance fees. All Australian schools are required to adhere to the same curriculum frameworks of their state or territory.
Yes, all Germans and legal residents of Germany are entitled to free “medically necessary” public healthcare, which is funded by social security contributions. However, citizens must still have either state or private health insurance, covering at least hospital and outpatient medical treatment and pregnancy.
Berlin is the only federal state to offer free school meals to all children, while parents in other states must pay for meals. Low-income families with basic income support can have this sum reimbursed if they receive education benefits.
In Germany, healthcare is partially free due to the social contributions to the public healthcare system. This means that individuals can receive medical services free of charge for the most part. However, some low copayments apply, such as the €10 charge for a visit to the general practitioner (GP) every quarter.
Germany is one of the most popular countries in the world known for providing an excellent education for free. Most of the public universities in Germany do not require any fees from international students or foreigners.
The Federal Republic of Germany guarantees freedom of speech, expression, and opinion to its citizens as per Article 5 of the constitution.
Germany's school system
Once your children are six years old, they are required to go to school, since school attendance is compulsory in Germany. Most German schools are run by the state and there is no charge for your children to attend.
The School Day
Classes normally start between 7:30 and 8:15 a.m. and can end between 12 noon and 1:30 p.m. Class periods are normally 45 minutes long with a short break in between. However, in recent years some schools (Ganztagsschule) have started offering longer days.
Introduction: Studying in Germany as a Foreign Student
Studying in Germany as an international student can be a rewarding and enriching experience. Germany is known for its high-quality education and research opportunities, and many international students choose to study there because of its reputation for excellence.
While most programs are taught in German, there are opportunities to study in Germany in English, with a growing selection of English-language programs designed for international students.
There are NO free refills on drinks, and the basket of bread or pretzels on the table usually costs extra. Don't be surprised if you are charged for what you eat. Water will not automatically be brought to your table. You have to order it, and you will be brought bottled water which you have to pay for.
Most German schools still have longer morning breaks where students can get snacks and then in the afternoon they go home for a hot lunch (Mittagessen), which is usually the biggest meal of the day.
If you want to study in Germany, you'll be happy to know that public universities do not charge tuition fees for Bachelor's and Master's programmes (except if you plan to pursue a Master's degree that focuses on a different subject than the one you studied as a Bachelor's student).
The Australian public accesses care within the public health system for free or at a lower cost through Medicare (funded by tax). The private system includes health service providers that are owned and managed privately, such as private hospitals, specialist medical and allied health, and pharmacies.
Quality of life
Overall, Germany is a great place to live. It has a high standard of living, a strong economy, and plenty of cultural and entertainment options for an excellent work-life balance. The cost of living can be high in the major cities, but there are many benefits to living in Germany.
The Whitlam Labor government abolished university fees on 1 January 1974. By the mid-1980s, however, there was consensus between both major parties that the concept of 'free' tertiary education in Australia was untenable due to the increasing participation rate.
Topping the list as Australia's most expensive private school is likely Victoria's Geelong Grammar School for the second consecutive year. Tuition for year 10 - 12 students at the elite secondary school will set parents back $46,020 a year in 2023, up 5.4 per cent on 2022.