Berlin gives relocating families a genuinely broad choice, from private international schools through free bilingual state schools to the mainstream German system, at a cost of living well below most Western European capitals. That range, rather than any shortage of places, is what most parents spend their early weeks weighing.
The school landscape in Berlin
The private international option includes Berlin International School, which runs an English medium IB pathway, and Berlin British School, which follows an English National Curriculum route. Berlin is unusual in also offering free bilingual state schooling, most famously John F Kennedy School Berlin, a German and American public school, alongside the Staatliche Europa Schule Berlin network of bilingual state schools. The mainstream German state system is free, strong and used by many families settling longer, since younger children reach working German within about two years with structured support.
How to move to Berlin with children, step by step
Relocating with school aged children rewards early planning. These five steps mirror how the GlobalSchoolGuide relocation desk sequences a family move, so nothing critical slips through the gaps between the offer, the housing search and the first day of term.
- Set your relocation timeline. Fix your move date against the school start and work backwards, allowing several months for shortlisting and applications in Berlin.
- Shortlist and apply to schools. Match three schools in Berlin to your child's age, curriculum and budget, then apply early because popular year groups fill first.
- Confirm fees and admissions. Request the current fee schedule and admissions requirements directly from each school, since published figures are reset every academic year.
- Choose a neighbourhood near school. Pick housing within a reasonable commute of your shortlisted school, because in Berlin your address and travel time shape your options.
- Settle the practical set up. Arrange residency, banking, health cover and the physical move, and time everything to the school calendar so your child starts with the year group.
Fees and budgeting
Fees depend entirely on the route. The private international schools sit in a mid European band and rise through the senior years, while the bilingual state schools such as John F Kennedy School and the Europa Schule network are free, though places are limited and heavily oversubscribed. Published private school schedules change each year, so confirm the current figure directly, and for the free state routes understand that demand far exceeds supply and admission is competitive.
Neighbourhoods and housing
Families using Berlin International School and John F Kennedy School often settle in the leafy south western districts of Zehlendorf and Dahlem, which grew up around those schools and offer family housing with garden space. Charlottenburg suits families wanting a central base with good schools nearby, while Prenzlauer Berg is popular with younger families for its parks and cafe culture. Housing has tightened in recent years, so line up the school before you commit to a district.
Language and settling in
German is the official language and the medium of the state system, but English is very widely spoken and an international family can function comfortably. Children entering German or bilingual schools receive structured language support and younger children typically reach a working level within about two years. Families expecting a short posting usually keep children in the international stream to protect continuity.
Curriculum continuity
Curriculum continuity matters most for families who move often or who have a child near public examinations. Berlin International School anchors its senior years in the IB Diploma and Berlin British School in A Levels, both recognised worldwide, so a child mid stream can usually continue. The German state route leads to the Abitur, an excellent and respected qualification for those settling but a harder pivot for a family expecting another posting into an English medium system. Our IB curriculum overview explains how the Diploma travels between countries.
Residency, healthcare and admin
On the practical side, complete your Anmeldung, the address registration, soon after arrival, because the registration certificate it produces is needed for banking, tax, healthcare and school enrolment. Health insurance is mandatory in Germany, through either the statutory or a private scheme, and you should arrange it promptly. Sorting the Anmeldung, the health insurance and the school offer in the right order removes most of the early friction.
The admissions timeline
The Berlin school year starts in late August or early September. Private international schools admit through the year subject to space, but popular year groups fill early, so begin your shortlist as soon as the move is confirmed. The free bilingual state schools are heavily oversubscribed and admit on their own timetables and criteria, so if that route interests you, research the specific school's process early.
Is Berlin a good place to raise children?
Berlin is spacious, green and remarkably affordable for a capital, with abundant playgrounds, lakes within reach and a culture that welcomes families. Public transport is excellent and distances, while larger than in compact cities, are manageable. Many relocating parents value the space and the lower cost of living once the initial paperwork is behind them.
Frequently asked questions
Are there international schools in Berlin that teach in English?
Yes. Berlin International School runs an English medium IB pathway and Berlin British School follows an English National Curriculum route. Berlin also offers free bilingual state schools, such as John F Kennedy School and the Staatliche Europa Schule Berlin network, that teach partly in English.
Are there free bilingual schools in Berlin?
Yes. John F Kennedy School is a free German and American public school, and the Staatliche Europa Schule Berlin network runs bilingual state schools in several partner languages including English. Places are limited and heavily oversubscribed, so admission is competitive and worth researching early.
How much do international schools in Berlin cost?
Private international schools sit in a mid European band and rise through the senior years, while the bilingual state options are free. Private schedules change annually, so confirm the current figure directly, and note that the free state routes are in very high demand.
Which neighbourhoods work best for families?
The south western districts of Zehlendorf and Dahlem suit families using Berlin International School and John F Kennedy School, Charlottenburg offers a central base, and Prenzlauer Berg is popular with younger families. Secure the school before committing to a district.
When should we start the school search?
As soon as the move is confirmed for private schools, where popular year groups fill early. For the free bilingual state schools, research the specific school's admissions process early, because demand far exceeds supply and each school runs its own timetable.
Plan your move
Use these free tools and guides to turn this overview into a shortlist and a working plan for your family's move to Berlin.