We arrived in Berlin in the middle of the school year. How do I register my child for school?

Compulsory schooling: School is compulsory in Germany, and your child has the right and the obligation to attend school from the moment they arrive. You can register at any time of the year.

1. Address registration: To register for school, you need to have registered your address in Berlin (Anmeldung).

2. Applying to the school office: Apply to the school office of your district (Schulamt / Schul- und Sportamt). In many districts the application is made by email, and there is a special application form (Aufnahmebogen) for children with limited German. If your child's German is good enough, you can apply directly to a nearby school.

3. Documents: Proof of address registration, the passports of the child and parent, recent school reports if available (with translation), proof of custody and proof of measles vaccination (Masernschutz). Before starting school, your child may have a check-up at the child health service (Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitsdienst).

Welcome class (Willkommensklasse): Children with limited German usually learn intensive German in these classes for about a year, then move to a regular class. Some children are placed directly in a regular class and get extra German support. Finding a place can take time in busy periods; stay in regular contact with the Schulamt.

Help: Berlin's family service offices (FamilienServiceBüro) and migrant counselling centres help with the application. The Berlin Senate Department for Education also has brochures for newly arrived families in many languages.