Hamburg's education authorities have recorded a growing number of cases where parents unilaterally and without justification take their children out of school before the start of holidays, thereby extending their vacation. Last year, 328 such breaches of compulsory school attendance were registered, indicating an increase compared to previous years. For each such offense concerning a child, proceedings are initiated to impose a fine of 250 euros, and in repeated cases – mandatorily.

Growing Scale of the Phenomenon

The number of registered breaches rose from 225 in 2023, to 303 in 2024, to 328 last year. School authorities indicate the problem is intensifying, and each case results in the initiation of administrative proceedings.

Financial Consequences

For unilaterally and unjustifiably withdrawing a child from school before holidays, parents face a fine of 250 euros per child. A first offense is preceded by a meeting with the school management, and for repetitions, the fine is imposed mandatorily.

Legal Basis and Exceptions

According to Hamburg's education law, compulsory school attendance can only be suspended based on an official leave of absence. This is only possible in the case of significant, justified reasons or if education is ensured in another approved manner.

Hamburg's education authorities are noting a steady increase in cases where parents unilaterally take their children out of school before the official start of holidays, thereby violating compulsory school attendance. Last year, the school administration registered 328 such offenses, compared to 303 in 2024 and 225 in 2023. Each of these incidents leads to the initiation of proceedings to impose a fine. Compulsory school attendance in today's Germany has a long tradition, dating back to 18th-century Prussian regulations. Today, its detailed rules, including matters of excuses and sanctions, fall under the jurisdiction of individual federal states, leading to differences in law and enforcement practice across the country. The procedure stipulated by Hamburg's Schulbehörde is two-tiered. In the case of a first incident, parents are summoned for a meeting with the school's management. However, if a second violation of the law occurs, the authority initiates administrative proceedings, resulting in a fine of 250 euros for each child affected by the offense. This information, provided by a spokesperson for the school authorities, was originally published by the local newspaper "Hamburger Abendblatt". According to the applicable Hamburgisches Schulgesetz, an exemption from compulsory attendance is an official leave of absence (Beurlaubung). It can only be granted in the case of significant, justified personal or family reasons, or if the child's education is ensured in another, school-approved manner on that day. The practice of extending family vacations by leaving before the holidays, often motivated by lower ticket and accommodation prices, does not fall into these categories and is treated as an offense. The rising statistics indicate a clear trend, which authorities describe as an intensifying problem.