How Long Is School in Germany?
Germany’s school system isn’t a single path — it’s a branching journey. The answer depends on where a student is headed: a trade, a career, or university. Here’s the whole picture.
6
Starting age
9–10
Compulsory years
190
School days/year
Stage by stage
The journey through German school
Age 6–10 · Grades 1–4
Grundschule (Primary School)
All children attend together. At the end, teachers recommend a secondary school track based on performance. Berlin and Brandenburg extend this to Grade 6.
Age 10–18/19 · Grades 5–12/13
Gymnasium
The academic track, ending with the Abitur — Germany’s university entrance qualification. The most demanding and longest path.
Age 10–16 · Grades 5–10
Realschule
Middle-level schooling leading to the Mittlere Reife. Opens doors to mid-level office, business, and nursing careers.
Age 10–15/16 · Grades 5–9/10
Hauptschule
Shorter track focused on practical skills and trade apprenticeships. Leads to the Hauptschulabschluss.
Until age 18
Part-time Vocational School (Berufsschule)
Students who finish full-time schooling before 18 must still attend a vocational school a few days per week while doing an apprenticeship.
Comparing tracks
Which path, how long?
Gymnasium
12–13 yrs
University-bound. Ends with the Abitur, the highest school qualification.
University access
Realschule
10 yrs
Mid-level careers. Ends with the Mittlere Reife after Grade 10.
Advanced vocational
Hauptschule
9–10 yrs
Trade focus. Ends with the Hauptschulabschluss after Grade 9 or 10.
Trade apprenticeship
Note: A Gesamtschule (comprehensive school) combines all tracks under one roof and runs from Grades 5 to 13, offering every qualification — from Hauptschulabschluss all the way to Abitur.
Daily life
What does a school day look like?
Lessons are 45 minutes each, sometimes paired into 90-minute blocks. Traditionally a half-day model (home by noon or 1 pm), though all-day schools (Ganztagsschulen) are increasingly common. The school year runs August/September through June/July, with ~12 weeks of holidays including a 6-week summer break staggered by state.
Each of Germany’s 16 federal states manages its own education — rules, holidays, and exact grade spans vary.