If you are a third-country national and would like to attend a general school in Germany, you can apply for a residence permit to attend school. As a rule, school attendance is possible from the 9th grade onwards.

A third country is a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA). In addition to the European Union (EU), the EEA also includes Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

You will receive a residence permit for the duration of your planned school attendance if the requirements are met.

The granting of a residence permit requires, among other things, that attending school is the main purpose of your stay. Part-time schooling is not possible.

You must

• attend a public or state-recognized school with an international orientation or
• attend a private school.

The school must prepare students for

• international qualifications,
• qualifications from other countries or
• state-recognized qualifications, for example the International Baccalaureate (IB)

As a rule, your living expenses, including adequate health insurance cover without recourse to public benefits, must be secured while you are attending the school.

If you have not yet reached the age of 18 at the time of the student exchange, your parents or legal guardians must consent to your stay in Germany.