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Guides on this topic
- Another way to grow your family: adoptionAdoption in Germany is a long and careful process. Who can adopt, where to apply in Berlin and how the process works.
- From Kita to GrundschuleStep by step from school registration to the first day of school in Berlin: registration dates, choosing a school, the health check, applying for Hort and the Schultüte tradition.
- From Kita-Gutschein to your child's first Kita dayStep by step from applying for the Kita-Gutschein in Berlin to the settling-in period: when to apply, how to find a place, which documents you need and what you pay.
- Raising a bilingual child in BerlinSpeaking Turkish at home doesn't delay German. Practical information on Kita, school, Turkish lessons and everyday life for raising a bilingual child in Berlin.
- Being a working mother during school holidaysHow do you sort out childcare during school holidays in Berlin? Free Hort, your leave rights, the €9 Super-Ferien-Pass and practical tips from mothers.
Questions on this topic
- How do I get a Kita place?First get a Kita-Gutschein from the Jugendamt, then apply to Kitas. Kita is free in Berlin; you only pay a small meal contribution.
- How does the school system work in Germany, and what is the difference between Gymnasium and Sekundarschule?In Berlin, children attend primary school (Grundschule) for 6 years, then move on to an Integrierte Sekundarschule or a Gymnasium. Both lead to the Abitur; it takes 12 years at a Gymnasium and usually 13 at a Sekundarschule.
- I'm a foreign national. Can I get child benefit (Kindergeld) in Germany?Yes, depending on your residence status. Turkish citizens can get Kindergeld if they work in a job with social insurance or receive unemployment or sickness benefit. It's also possible with permanent residence, a Blue Card or a permit allowing at least 6 months of work.
- My child is travelling with only one parent. Do we need a consent letter (muvafakatname)?It is not always asked for, but a notarised consent letter may be required when leaving Turkey. To avoid problems, carry the other parent's written consent and check with the consulate before you travel.
- My child's German is weak. Can we get support at school or outside?Yes. Schools offer German as a second language (DaZ), and low-income families can get free tutoring (Lernförderung) from the state. There are also school psychology centres and free homework help projects.
- My children are in Turkey and I work in Germany. Can I get Kindergeld, and which documents do I need?Regular Kindergeld is usually only paid for children living in Germany or the EU. Thanks to an agreement, Turkish citizens working in Germany can get a very small child benefit for children in Turkey; this requires a family status certificate from the SGK.
- My teenage child is struggling psychologically. Where can we get support?In Berlin, family counselling centres and the health office's child and adolescent psychiatric service offer free support; no referral is needed. In an emergency you can contact the Berliner Krisendienst or call 112.
- We arrived in Berlin in the middle of the school year. How do I register my child for school?First register your address (Anmeldung), then apply to the school office (Schulamt) of your district. Children whose German isn't strong enough are usually placed in a welcome class (Willkommensklasse) first.
- What is the Bildungs- und Teilhabepaket, and does it cover school trips, meals and courses?The Education and Participation Package (BuT) supports children from low-income families with school trips, school supplies, tutoring, transport and sports or music courses. In Berlin it is used with the berlinpass-BuT.
- What is the Kita-Gutschein in Berlin, and how and when do I apply for a nursery place?The Kita-Gutschein is the voucher your child needs to attend a nursery (Kita). From age 1, a child has a right to up to 7 hours of care a day. Apply 9 to 2 months before the start at your district's Jugendamt or online. It's free and takes 6–8 weeks.
