Gymnasium guide

Gymnasium in Germany: find your state’s rules

Germany has 16 states—and different school rules. Where does your child go to school? Choose your Bundesland to understand the school pathway, Gymnasium entry requirements and your next steps.

Rules checked: 17 October 2026

Choose your Bundesland

All 16 states set their own rules for the move to Gymnasium. Open your state to read how schools work there and download its free all-important summary to save.

Heidelberg Castle, Baden-Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg

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Neuschwanstein Castle, Bayern

Bayern

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Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

Berlin

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Sanssouci Palace, Potsdam, Brandenburg

Brandenburg

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Bremen Town Hall, Bremen

Bremen

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Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg

Hamburg

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Frankfurt skyline, Hessen

Hessen

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Schwerin Castle, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

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New Town Hall, Hannover, Niedersachsen

Niedersachsen

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Cologne Cathedral, Nordrhein-Westfalen

Nordrhein-Westfalen

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Porta Nigra, Trier, Rheinland-Pfalz

Rheinland-Pfalz

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Saarschleife, Saarland

Saarland

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Dresden Frauenkirche, Sachsen

Sachsen

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Quedlinburg old town, Sachsen-Anhalt

Sachsen-Anhalt

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Holstentor, Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein

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Wartburg Castle, Thüringen

Thüringen

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Why the answer depends on where you live

  • Germany has different entry rules in its 16 states.
  • The usual transition happens at different grades.
  • Meeting the entry requirements does not guarantee a place at a particular school.
  • These guides cover the usual transition from primary school. Later transfers and specialist programmes can follow different procedures.

What your state page includes

  • A short introduction to how schools work in your state.
  • How Gymnasium entry works, and what happens if the usual route does not fit.
  • Three practical next steps for your family.
  • A free one-page PDF for your state, ready to save.
  • The official sources behind the guide.
  • The date the rules were checked.