Authority for Schools, Family and Vocational Training
Apply for state recognition of an alternative schoolAs the operator of an approved alternative school, you can apply for state recognition in order to administer examinations and award qualifications like a state school.
If you run an approved alternative school, you can apply for state recognition of your school. The students at your school will then no longer have to take part in the state external examinations. With state recognition, the provider is given the right to hold examinations and award qualifications like a state school.
As a school authority, you submit an application to the Authority for Schools and Vocational Education to have your alternative school granted state recognition.
State recognition is granted when the responsible school supervisory authority comes to a positive overall assessment of the school's operations to date. The requirements for the approval of an alternative school must be met on a permanent basis. This means: The alternative school must meet the following requirements:
as equivalent to a corresponding state school.
- Application form (see under links "Recognition of alternative schools"
No
State recognition is generally granted with effect from the beginning of a school year.
The complete application for recognition of an alternative school must be submitted at least six months before the start of the school year in question.
Since the school year begins on August 1, the complete application must be submitted by February 1 of the relevant year.
You submit the application for state recognition using the form under Links "Recognition of alternative schools"
application form provided.
The application can be submitted electronically or in paper form to the office specified there.
The Authority for Schools and Vocational Education decides on recognition by means of a written notice.
The processing time is usually four to six months. It also depends on the quality and completeness of the application as well as the cooperation of the school authority in case of any necessary enquiries and requests.
The procedure for granting state recognition is subject to a fee.
The fee range is currently (as of July 2024) between €1,449 and €2,957.
The amount of the fee depends on the processing effort in each individual case.
Objection to the rejection decision of the Authority for Schools and Vocational Education
Last updated: 16.02.2026