School
The age bonus is a big plus for children to overcome the language barrier
School in Greece - What families need to know
Registering for school in a new country can seem overwhelming - especially when the language and bureaucracy are unfamiliar.
Public vs. Private/International School
Children of parents with a valid residence permit have the right to attend a public school in their place of residence free of charge. However, due to the language barrier, this is not the most obvious choice for all families. Many immigrant families - especially in large cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki - therefore choose a private or international school because these are better suited to the needs of foreign-language students.
International schools are particularly popular with expat families: they teach in English, French or another international language and follow globally recognized curricula such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) or the British National Curriculum. This also makes it much easier to change schools abroad at a later date.
Registering at a public school
Registration takes place directly with the school administration of the responsible school at your place of residence. The school is legally obliged to admit the child. The following documents are required:
Child's birth certificate (with certified translation into Greek)
Child's passport
Passport of the legal parent or guardian
Residence permit
Proof of residence
School certificates (if available, with a certified translation)
Vaccination certificate
Medical health certificate (with a certified translation into Greek; must confirm that the child is suitable for sporting activities)
Note: To register at private or international schools, please contact the respective school directly or find out more about them Website.
Step-by-step summary
Register your residence with the municipal administration (Δήμος)
Obtain documents and have them translated - birth certificate, vaccination certificate, certificates, proof of residence, health certificate
Select school - public or private/international
Register directly with the school administration
Why this diversity?
PASCH schools expand the offering beyond pure foreign schools by integrating German into Greek curricula. The network celebrates successes through nationwide projects, e.g. B. the “Together on the Rise” travel case, which connected 16 schools.
Practical tips
Many PASCH schools are state-run or cheaper than private schools abroad with a focus on integration. Use the official PASCH school finder on pasch-net.de or griechenland.diplo.de for current lists and contacts - waiting places vary per region. In Athens, places are limited, while islands are more flexible.