Student and school affairs (BV 2)

School attendance, guest school attendance

On this page you will find initial information about visiting a guest school in Hamburg.

Detailed description

In principle, schooling is compulsory in the federal state in which the domicile (or habitual abode) is located. Cross-border school attendance is generally not planned.



The FHH has agreements with some regional authorities regarding the admission modalities for pupils from the respective other area of responsibility. Agreements exist, for example, with the state of Schleswig-Holstein and the municipality of Bullenhausen-Over (NDS). In these agreements, the detailed provisions of cross-border school attendance are explained.


The renewed agreement with the state of Schleswig-Holstein, for example, provides for free access to grades 5 and 11 of the other state from the 2017/2018 school year (only if there are free places). Access to the other grades is only permitted in cases of hardship, for which an application must be submitted to the responsible school in Schleswig-Holstein.


If there is no agreement with a regional authority, schooling can only be considered in individual cases if a concrete case of hardship can be proven. There is no entitlement to admission. Except in cases of hardship, admission is only possible according to the provisions of the aforementioned agreements, which were concluded in advance between the local authorities.


Information on questions about cross-border school attendance is provided by the responsible regional clerk (responsible for the desired school).

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • Existing host school agreement with the local authority
  • Request

Documents required

  • Proof of residence
  • Last testimonials
  • Request
  • If necessary, medical or other professional statements

Please note

In principle, schooling is compulsory in the federal state in which the domicile (or habitual abode) is located. Cross-border school attendance, on the other hand, is generally not planned.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

  • Contacting the desired school or dealing with the regional school supervisory board
  • Submission of all necessary documents
  • Examination by the competent authority
  • notification

Processing time

The processing time depends on the individual case.

Fees

No

Legal remedies

You can object to a decision within one month. This has no suspensive effect. However, if the objection procedure is wholly or partially unsuccessful, costs may arise.

Legal basis


  • Guest school agreement with the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein

  • Common administrative practice between the federal state of Lower Saxony and the city of Hamburg

  • Agreement with the municipality of Bullenhausen-Over

Address and contact information

Student and school affairs (BV 2)

Mon, Tue 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Thurs 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. During these times, there is an open consultation hour without an appointment being made. Appointments outside of these times can be made bilaterally if necessary. At the moment the first contact is always by telephone, email or post.

In principle, the colleagues can be reached during the stated telephone consultation hours. Due to appointments, holidays, illness and the current high workload, availability by telephone at these times cannot be guaranteed.

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Keywords: Application for visiting school as a guest Host schools Host school agreement Visiting students Guest schooling Cross-border school attendance

Last updated: 14.02.2026