Relocating with Kids: Everything Families Need Before Leaving Germany

Moving abroad with the whole family is one of the biggest adventures you can take on. But it is also a decision that demands careful thought. When children are involved, it is not just about your own wishes — it is about school places, kindergarten searches, emotional preparation, and a lot of bureaucracy.

We know what we are talking about: since 2014 we have walked more than 40,000 people through the move out of Germany, including thousands of families with children. The most common mistakes? Booking school places too late, the Kindergeld cancellation handled incorrectly, and the kids emotionally underprepared.

This guide covers which countries are particularly family-friendly, how to find schools and Kitas abroad, what happens to Kindergeld, the legal hurdles around custody, how to bring pets along, and how to prepare your kids for the move.

"The biggest mistake families make: they plan everything for themselves — visa, job, apartment — but forget that their kids need their own preparation. Take the time for it. It pays off." — Oliver Frankfurth, founder of deregistration.de

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At a glance

• Best family-friendly countries 2024: Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland), Canada, Switzerland, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand — top scores on school quality, safety, healthcare.
• Passports for kids are mandatory — even infants need their own passport. Validity for under-24s: 6 years.
• Custody trap for separated parents: Emigration with the child requires written consent of the other parent (§ 1626 BGB). A violation is criminal under § 235 StGB.
• Kindergeld ends when German tax liability ends — notifying the Familienkasse is mandatory.
• School options abroad: German Abroad Schools (~140 worldwide), international schools (IB, Cambridge, US, British system), local schools.
• Pets need an EU pet passport + ISO microchip + rabies vaccination. Quarantine in third countries varies (UK 0 days, Australia 10–30 days).
• Children's visas are usually covered by a family visa; some countries require a separate application.

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The best countries to relocate to with kids

Not every country is equally good for families. School quality, safety, healthcare, and childcare differ enormously. Two important sources help with orientation: the Best Countries Ranking 2024 by U.S. News and the Expat Insider Report by InterNations.

Top 10 for families (Best Countries Ranking 2024):

1. Denmark
2. Sweden
3. Norway
4. Canada
5. Netherlands
6. Finland
7. Switzerland
8. New Zealand
9. Australia
10. Austria

Germany lands at 13th, the US at 18th. Striking: all Scandinavian countries dominate the ranking. There are good reasons for that.

Scandinavia: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland

Denmark offers excellent healthcare and a free education system at a high level. The crime rate is low; Copenhagen is regularly cited as one of the most liveable cities in the world.

Sweden and Norway score on generous parental-leave rules and strong education systems. Norway also offers stunning nature but is one of the most expensive countries in the world. Finland has one of the best school systems globally and consistently ranks at the top of international education comparisons.

Important for families: Childcare in all Scandinavian countries is heavily subsidised or free. Waiting times for kindergarten places are typically much shorter than in Germany.

Canada, Switzerland, and the Netherlands

Canada offers high quality of life, a good health system, and a multicultural society. The country is particularly attractive for families who value safety and recreation.

Switzerland is known for high-quality childcare and education — at corresponding prices. Cost of living is high, but salaries are well above the European average.

The Netherlands are known for an open and tolerant society. Good healthcare, a strong economy, and excellent infrastructure make the country a popular family destination.

New Zealand and Australia

New Zealand offers excellent working conditions, a strong education system, and a low crime rate. Australia attracts with a mild climate, high quality of life, and a broad educational offering. Both countries, however, have strict visa requirements.

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The right time: when to relocate with kids

There is no perfect moment, but some windows make it easier. Your children's age plays a decisive role.

Babies and toddlers (0–3 years)

This is the easiest moment. Small children adapt quickly to a new environment and pick up the local language almost effortlessly in kindergarten. They do not yet have deep friendships to leave behind.

Kindergarten and primary-school children (3–10 years)

At this age children already have friendships and have settled into their environment. Saying goodbye is harder, but adaptability is still high. Kids in this age range learn new languages remarkably fast and usually find a foothold in school or kindergarten within a few months.

Older children and teenagers (10+ years)

The older the children, the more demanding the move. Teenagers not only have to learn a new language but possibly also catch up on specific subject content. Social bonds are particularly strong at this age. A move can still succeed, but it needs significantly more preparation and emotional support.

Practical tip: Time the move to the summer holidays of both countries if possible. That way every family member has a settling-in window before school starts.

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Finding schools and Kitas abroad

The education question is the biggest single decision factor for most families. Rightly so — school systems differ widely.

Kitas and kindergartens abroad

Finding a Kita place can be just as challenging abroad as in Germany. Some countries have state-run facilities; others only private ones — at corresponding prices.

A kindergarten place on the ground gives your child structure and enables fast contact with peers. Kids pick up the language almost automatically. Start early — waiting lists exist abroad too.

Good to know: In almost every country, children up to age 6 are co-insured under the parents. Several countries offer financial support for childcare. Check the local rules before the move.

School systems in the destination country

School fees, uniform requirements, different school hours — much can differ from Germany. Clarify early:

• Are there public schools, or only private?
• How high are the school fees, if any?
• How is the school system structured (school years, subject choice)?
• Will the schooling be recognised in Germany if you return?

For shorter stays abroad, an international school can be sensible. For long-term moves, a local school is usually better — it accelerates your children's integration.

German Abroad Schools — where they exist

Worldwide there are about 1,200 German educational institutions abroad, including roughly 140 German Abroad Schools with fully recognised German qualifications. They are often run by private bodies and supported by the Central Office for Schools Abroad (ZfA). The ZfA website lists all locations.

Well-known German Abroad Schools (selection):

Advantages of German Abroad Schools:

• Your child follows the German curriculum (Abitur possible)
• A later return to Germany is straightforward because qualifications are recognised
• German-speaking teachers, often with international staff too
• Contact with other German families on the ground

Disadvantages:

• High fees (EUR 3,000–25,000 per year depending on the location)
• Limited locations (not in every city)
• Often waiting lists at popular schools (Barcelona, Bangkok, Singapore)

International school types — IB, Cambridge & Co

If no German Abroad School is available (or its curriculum does not fit), international schools offer alternatives with globally recognised qualifications:

International Baccalaureate (IB):

• Global curriculum (PYP, MYP, Diploma Programme)
• IB Diploma = globally recognised university-entry certificate (accepted by German universities too)
• Over 5,500 schools in 160 countries
• Teaching usually in English

Cambridge International (IGCSE + A-Levels):

• British system with global standards
• IGCSE at 16, A-Levels at 18 (equivalent to higher-education entry)
• Over 10,000 schools worldwide
• Strong recognition in the UK, US, Australia, Asia

American system:

• High School Diploma + AP courses (Advanced Placement)
• Often at US embassy schools or commercial schools
• German recognition: the Diploma alone does not suffice for university entry — additional proofs are needed

British system:

• GCSE + A-Levels (analogous to Cambridge)
• At British schools abroad and many international schools
• A-Levels = full higher-education entry

French system (Lycée français):

• Over 530 French Abroad Schools
• Baccalauréat = recognised higher-education entry
• Ideal for families with a French connection or planned return to France

Practical tip: If you are planning a return to Germany, the German Abroad School is the safest path. For long-term international flexibility, IB schools are the best choice.

Cancelling school and Kita registrations in Germany

Before the move, actively deregister the German school and Kita — otherwise you risk:

• School-attendance proceedings by the school authority (fines up to EUR 1,500)
• Reclaim of Kita subsidies
• Late release of the school place for other children

How to handle it:

1. Written deregistration to the class teacher or school management with the move-out date
2. Request the report card and the last school certificate — important for enrolment in the destination
3. Cancel the Kita contract with confirmation of the deadline
4. Bring the enrolment confirmation of the new school/Kita as evidence

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Kindergeld abroad: what you need to know

The Kindergeld topic regularly confuses emigrant families — and unfortunately also leads to expensive mistakes. The core question: can you keep receiving German Kindergeld while living abroad?

When you can still receive Kindergeld

Under certain conditions your claim continues abroad:

• Unlimited tax liability: If you keep taxing your full income in Germany, the claim remains.
• Limited tax liability with social-security membership: You are limited tax-resident but mandatorily socially insured through a German employer.
• Posting (Entsendung): Your employer has temporarily posted you abroad and you remain under German social-security law.

EU/EEA citizens and Swiss residents have special rules. If your child has family-benefit claims in multiple countries, the country of residence of the child usually has primary responsibility.

When the claim ends — and what you have to do

If you leave Germany and are no longer tax-resident, your Kindergeld claim ends. You are legally required to actively inform the Familienkasse. The Abmeldung at the Bürgeramt alone is not enough.

Important: Anyone knowingly continuing to receive Kindergeld without entitlement commits tax evasion. The Familienkasse regularly reconciles data with the registration authorities. Reclaim notices easily reach four-figure amounts.

"We have walked thousands of families through the move since 2014, and Kindergeld is the most common blind spot. Many assume the Familienkasse finds out automatically through the Abmeldung. It often does not, in time — and then reclaim notices for several thousand euros arrive. Inform the Familienkasse actively before you leave." — Oliver Frankfurth

More details and a step-by-step guide: cancel child and parental benefits.

Further information on cross-border Kindergeld is on the Federal Employment Agency website.

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Passport and ID for kids

Every child — including infants — needs their own passport for departure. An entry in the parents' passport has not been possible since 2012. Key facts:

• Validity: Passport for people under 24 = 6 years (instead of 10 for adults)
• Cost: about EUR 37.50 per passport for children under 24
• Biometric photo mandatory — for infants with specific requirements (mouth closed, eyes open, straight gaze — challenging with babies)
• Both legal guardians must consent to the application; for children under 16 the parents must sign (§ 6 PassG)

Personalausweis for children:

• Mandatory document from age 16 in Germany (sufficient for departure within Schengen)
• Optionally also for younger children as a "Kinderreisepass" replacement
• Parents can apply for a Personalausweis from birth

Before the move: Check the children's passports in good time — if validity drops below 6 months, many destination countries require renewal before entry. Application at the consulate abroad is possible, but waiting times are 4–8 weeks.

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Custody — when do you need the other parent's consent?

This is one of the most critical legal questions for relocating with children. If you have joint custody (the default for children born in marriage or after a custody declaration), you need the written consent of the other parent to emigrate with the child.

Legal basis:

• § 1626 BGB: Parents jointly have custody for the child's welfare
• § 1671 BGB: Sole custody is possible but not the default
• § 235 StGB: Abduction of a minor — up to 5 years of imprisonment

What counts as "emigration" in legal terms:

• Permanent residence change abroad with the child
• Longer stays without intent to return
• Residence shifts of multiple months

What you need:

• Written consent from the other parent
• Ideally notarised for legal proof
• In a dispute: custody resolution via the family court

What to do if the other parent objects:

• Mediation with a family-law specialist
• Family court can grant sole right of residence determination on application
• International custody disputes: the Hague Convention on Child Abduction (HKÜ) governs cross-border cases

What happens without consent:

• Criminal complaint by the non-consenting parent
• Suspicion of child abduction under § 235 StGB
• In the worst case: international return proceedings via the German Foreign Office and foreign authorities

"In over 11 years of consulting we have seen 3 cases where families moved to Spain or Mexico without resolving custody. All three ended in family courts with return orders. Do not put yourself through that — clarify it in advance." — Oliver Frankfurth

Special case: sole custody — if you have sole custody (court ruling), you can emigrate without consent of the other parent. Keep the court ruling in writing in case authorities in the destination ask.

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Taking pets along — EU pet passport and third-country rules

Dogs, cats, and ferrets can be brought along when you emigrate — but the rules differ significantly between the EU and third countries.

EU pet passport

Inside the EU/EEA and with Switzerland, the EU pet passport is enough (Regulation (EU) 576/2013). Requirements:

• ISO microchip (15 digits) before the first rabies vaccination
• Valid rabies vaccination (first vaccination at least 21 days before travel)
• EU pet passport issued by a vet
• Young animals under 12 weeks: some countries require a minimum age (France, Italy)

Costs: EU pet passport around EUR 30–50 at the vet; rabies vaccination EUR 30–50.

Third-country rules — quarantine and special requirements

Outside the EU the rules become stricter. Overview of the major destinations:

Practical tips for pet transport

• 6 months of lead time for third countries with quarantine or permit requirements (Australia, New Zealand)
• Pet shipping specialists like Gradlyn Pet Shipping, Aerokurier, or PETport for complex transports
• Flight with pet in the cabin only for small animals under 8 kg (dog/cat in a carrier). Larger animals as cargo
• Sedating the pet before the flight: usually NOT recommended due to cardiovascular risk
• Transport box must be IATA-compliant, with sufficient space and water dispenser

Costs: international pet transport EUR 800–3,500 depending on size and distance.

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Mental and emotional preparation for the kids

A move abroad is an enormous change for children. Leaving friends behind, speaking a new language, dealing with different rules — that can be frightening. The good news: with the right preparation, kids handle the transition remarkably well.

Before the move

• Communicate openly: Talk with your children about the upcoming move. Explain the reasons and show them the upsides — new friends, adventures, different climate.
• Take fears seriously: Actively ask about concerns and listen. Children often have different fears than adults — saying goodbye to the neighbour's pet can weigh as heavily as saying goodbye to best friends.
• Discover the new country: Watch videos, documentaries, and pictures of the destination together. That makes the abstract tangible.
• Plan goodbyes: Schedule deliberate goodbye rituals — a farewell party, a memory book with photos and addresses, a "see you soon" instead of "goodbye forever".

After the move

The first weeks are decisive. Children need particular attention and stability during this phase.

• Create routines: Fixed meal times, an evening reading ritual, regular walks in the new environment.
• Maintain contacts: Schedule regular video calls with grandparents and friends in Germany.
• Plan visits: Give the kids a concrete perspective — "We will visit Grandma and Grandpa during the autumn holidays."
• Be patient: Settling in takes time. Do not be too strict with yourself or your children if not everything is perfect immediately.

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Integration on the ground: language, clubs, and social contacts

Settling into a new environment takes time. That is completely normal — and important to know so you can put the ups and downs of the first few months in context.

Learning the language

For kids, kindergarten or school is the best language course. They learn through daily contact with peers much faster than in formal lessons. Supplementary language courses can ease the start but are not mandatory.

Clubs and leisure activities

Nothing helps integration as much as shared activities. Enrol your children in sports clubs, music schools, or other leisure groups. That builds contacts — for the kids and for you.

Expat networks

Emigrant groups and expat communities are gold during the early phase. There you meet families who have gone through the same process and can give you practical tips. Facebook groups, cultural centres, international church communities, and platforms like InterNations are good starting points.

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Visas and residence permits for children

In the destination country, children often need their own visa or at least an entry on the family visa of the parents. Rules are country-specific:

EU/EEA/Switzerland: Within the EU/EEA, children do not need a visa — freedom of movement applies to them too. For Switzerland: registration obligation within 14 days of arrival.

United States: Family visas like H-1B (work) or L-1 (intra-company) cover children as "H-4" or "L-2". Green Card analogously. Note: Children over 21 must apply for their own visas.

Canada: Express Entry programme for the whole family; children under 22 are included in the family permanent-residence application.

Australia: Family visas via Skilled Migration. Children under 18 are usually included.

Thailand: Long-Term Resident or Education visas for children. Students with visas via international schools.

Dubai / UAE: Family Sponsorship visas — the main earner has to sponsor the children explicitly.

Practical tip: Before the visa application, carefully check which documents are required for children (birth certificate with apostille, passport with sufficient remaining validity, custody proofs, medical certificates).

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Health insurance for kids abroad

With the Abmeldung, the German health insurance ends — also for the children. Three typical routes:

1. International health insurance (overview) for families:

• Family tariffs are often cheaper than individual policies
• Worldwide coverage
• Specialists like grenzenlos-sicher offer family tariffs for emigrants (advertising)
• Pre-existing conditions are reviewed

2. Local health insurance in the destination:

• Mandatory in many countries (EU, Australia, Canada, UK NHS)
• Often cheaper than the international policy
• Sometimes waiting times for pre-existing conditions

3. Travel insurance as a bridge:

• Only useful for the first 4–8 weeks
• Not a permanent solution

Important: Sort the insurance before the move. Anyone arriving without cover risks high medical costs in case of acute illness — especially with children, who get sick faster than adults.

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Family checklist: how to prepare the move

This checklist summarises the key points. For an even more detailed plan, use our interactive leaving Germany checklist, which builds a personalised flow.

6–12 months ahead:

• Research the destination: school system, childcare, healthcare
• Find and secure a school or Kita place in the destination
• Clarify visas and residence permits for the whole family
• Organise international health insurance — see the expat health insurance guide
• Inform the children about the move in age-appropriate ways

3–6 months ahead:

• Cancel the apartment and find a Nachmieter
• Hire a moving company or organise the move yourself
• Cancel German contracts (insurance, electricity, internet, mobile)
• Deregister online, or plan the Bürgeramt appointment
• Clarify the Kindergeld situation: cancel child and parental benefits
• Plan farewell rituals for the children

1–3 months ahead:

• Get school certificates and birth certificates certified
• Check vaccination records and catch up on missing vaccinations
• Health checks for the entire family
• Organise pet transport (if relevant)
• Set up mail forwarding

After the move:

• Inform the Familienkasse about the move (if you received Kindergeld)
• Enrol the children in school or Kita
• Register with the residents' office in the destination
• Take out local health insurance
• Find leisure offerings and clubs for the children

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Video: relocating with kids — tips and experiences

The video is in German — turn on YouTube's auto-translated English subtitles (CC button → settings).

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Frequently asked questions

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Bottom line: relocating with kids is doable — with the right plan

Moving abroad with the whole family is a big project. But it works if you handle it right. Three core points from 11 years of advisory:

1. Plan long-term. Start family logistics at least 12 months before the move (school places, visas, pet transport for quarantine countries). Sort custody at least 6 months in advance.
2. Clear the bureaucracy cleanly: Passports for children, school deregistration in Germany, Kindergeld stop, insurance switch. Each item sounds small; combined, they are often weeks of work.
3. Do not forget the emotional preparation. Children need time to say goodbye, understand, and build trust. Plan rituals deliberately.

We have walked families through this step since 2014 — from simple within-EU moves to complex emigrations to Australia or the US. The Abmeldung from Germany is often the first concrete item on the list — and that is exactly where we can help.

Cross-reads for families:

• Cancel child and parental benefits — all details on family benefits
• Deregister online — the mandatory baseline
• Expat health insurance — family tariffs
• Cancel your German rental contract
• Leaving Germany checklist — interactive, adapted to your family situation

Start the Abmeldung

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This article is based on our experience from 40,000+ deregistrations since 2014, including thousands of family moves. For custody or tax-complex cases, this article does not replace individual legal advice in the sense of the German Legal Services Act (RDG). Especially with separated parents, international disputes, or special visa questions, consult specialised attorneys for family and migration law.

Last updated: 26 May 2026.