
When deciding to move permanently to another country with your family, we wonder about the procedure for enrolling a child in school abroad. Below, we outline the systems in European countries.
Keep in mind that failing to comply with school attendance requirements in Europe may result in fines and legal proceedings.
First, we need to obtain documents from the Polish school that our child attended. The Polish school must record in their system that their student is transferring to a school abroad and issue documentation regarding the student’s current grades, abilities, behavior, and any potential difficulties.
All documents must be translated by a certified translator into English or another language applicable in the country we are moving to.
Next, we send the documentation to the school abroad.
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How to register a child in school in Germany
Required documents:
- Completed application form in German (the form can be obtained directly from the educational institution or from the school’s website)
- Child’s birth certificate translated into German
- Translated identification documents of parents and a child
- Proof of residence in Germany or rental agreement
- Current medical examination report of the child
It is recommended to apply to several educational institutions at once, as the number of available spots is limited. We will receive information about the child’s acceptance directly from the school.
If the child does not speak German, they will be referred to additional language classes at the school.
Note! Due to the fact that the school year in some federal states starts in August, it is important to register the child in advance.
How to enroll a child in school in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, children start school earlier than in Poland, beginning at the age of 5. Unusually, there is also the option to enroll a child when they turn 4.
Parents can choose the school themselves. After taking knowledge and intelligence tests, our child will be assigned to the appropriate group. If the child does not speak Dutch, there are international transition schools, known as Internationale Schakelklas, where intensive language courses are offered.
Required documents:
- Completed application form
- BRN number (equivalent to the Polish PESEL number), which is obtained upon first registration in the Netherlands
- Parent’s health insurance number
Most schools in the Netherlands are free. It’s also advisable to check local recruitment regulations, as they may vary by region.
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How to enroll a child in school in Belgium?
First, it is important to remember that Belgium has three different language regions, so the education system is varied. After registering with the municipality, we have 60 days to enroll the child in school. The first year of schooling starts at the age of 6. All children are accepted into schools regardless of their language proficiency or residency status.
Required documents:
- Previous school documents
- Completed application form
- Proof of residence
- Vaccination record
The child will undergo IQ and language proficiency tests, and based on the results, the school will propose an appropriate group.
How to enroll a child in a French school?
When enrolling a child in school, we should first go to the city hall according to our place of residence. The office will direct us to the designated school.
Required Documents:
- Child’s birth certificate along with a translation into French
- Identification documents of the parents and the child
- Proof of residence (such as utility bills)
- Child’s vaccination record
- Translated report card from the previous school
If the child does not speak French, they will be referred to additional language classes at the school or at CIO centers (centres d’information et d’orientation). You can also contact the education center for foreigners (CASNAV – Centre Academique pour la Scolarisation des Nouveaux Arrivants et des Enfants du Voyage).
Check out our previous article: Relocation to Paris with family