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Skipping school for vacation: Parents face expensive fines!
Parents in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania face fines of up to 2,500 euros if they refuse to go to school. A current report analyzes the reasons and the legal consequences.
Skipping school for vacation: Parents face expensive fines!
More and more parents in Germany are deciding to report their children sick in order to avoid compulsory schooling and start the summer holidays more quickly. Traffic jams on the highways and high airfares at the start of the holidays are common reasons for these so-called “fib holidays”. Teachers and the philologists' association are increasingly reporting sickness reports, especially during vacation time, which is alarming the education ministries. These clearly emphasize that students are not allowed to travel during lessons. Nevertheless, many parents see this behavior as a trivial offense, which, however, can also have significant financial consequences, as [Welt](https://www.welt.de/reise/article256361574/Schulpflicht-vs-Flunkerferien-Diese-Buss Gelder-drohen-bei-Schuleschwaenzen-fuer-den-Urlaub.html) reports.
In Bavaria, for example, there have been increased controls and raids before and after the school holidays in recent years. Parents must therefore expect consequences, both for sick leave and for their children's unexcused absence. The fines vary considerably depending on the federal state. In Berlin, up to 2,500 euros can be due, while in Thuringia it is up to 1,500 euros. At a glance:
| Federal State | Maximum fine |
|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | 300 euros per day of absence |
| Bavaria | up to 1000 euros |
| Berlin | up to 2500 euros |
| Bremen | 35 euros per day of absence |
| Hamburg | 150 euros per day of absence |
| Lower Saxony | up to 1000 euros |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 80 to 150 euros per day of absence |
A look at North Rhine-Westphalia shows that over 8,000 fine proceedings were initiated for violations of compulsory school attendance in 2024 - an increase of 45% in just five years. Schools systematically report absences so that municipalities can initiate appropriate fine proceedings. Repeated violations even threaten criminal consequences in some federal states. When reporting illness, parents can be asked to present a medical certificate to check whether the reported illness actually exists, according to Bussgeld-Info.
The legal framework
Compulsory schooling in Germany has been in effect since 1919 and usually lasts nine or ten years. It has also affected foreign children since the 1960s and children seeking asylum in North Rhine-Westphalia since 2005. Refusal from school, i.e. unexcused absence, can then lead to fines that are determined by the respective federal states. In Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saarland there may even be a risk of criminal prosecution. Parents can be charged up to 180 daily rates or face a prison sentence of up to six months, reports Bussgeldkatalog.
Parents should therefore be aware that even cheap holiday offers or avoiding traffic congestion are not recognized as sufficient reasons for a leave of absence from teaching. In many federal states, leave of absence to extend vacations is generally not possible. The responsibility for compliance with compulsory schooling lies with the parents up to the age of 14. Afterwards, the students themselves can also be fined.
The options for avoiding fines and legal consequences are limited. Parents should therefore seek dialogue with schools and pay attention to signs of school refusal such as frequent absences or poor grades. The issue of bullying should not be ignored either, as it can be a serious reason for school refusal.
For parents who still want to plan a short vacation, it might be helpful to look at the regulations in other countries such as Switzerland, where parents can request two “joker days” per school year in order to reduce cheating when reporting sick. In Germany, however, compliance with compulsory schooling remains the top priority.