German states introduce new school fees and full‑day programmes

Hamburg’s school authority warns that parents who remove children from class early for vacations can face fines of up to €1,000, with daily penalties of €250 per child and higher amounts for multiple siblings. Similar strict measures exist in several other German states.

The Bad Wurzach municipal council approved a full‑day schedule for the local primary school beginning the 2026/27 year. Classes will run three afternoons per week, and the city will provide additional childcare on weekdays, with a fee structure ranging from €10 to €22 per month depending on the service.

Bavaria’s education ministry announced a €461 million programme to expand full‑day schooling, allocating €600 000 to the Ebersberg district for a new kindergarten that will add 100 primary‑school places. The initiative aims to guarantee all primary pupils full‑day education by 2029.

In Hamburg, school‑meal prices rise as the city’s subsidy is reduced. Parents now pay €5.30 per lunch instead of €5.00, while the catering cost rises to €5.65. The change has drawn criticism from the local parents’ association.