Grundschule Kaltenweide, Elmshorn

Germany's federal education system is managed by 16 states (Länder), each with its own curriculum and school structures. The traditional tracked system (Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium) sorts students from around age 10; Gesamtschulen offer a comprehensive alternative. International schools — concentrated in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg — offer English-language curricula to the expat and internationally mobile community.

State school teacher salaries in Germany are structured by civil servant grade (A12–A14), broadly ranging from €55,000 to €75,000/year depending on state and experience. International school teachers receive independently negotiated salaries, often with allowances for housing and children's school fees. Germany's strong social security system adds value to the total package.

EU/EEA nationals work freely in Germany. Non-EU teachers require a work permit under the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz (Skilled Immigration Act). State school teaching requires formal recognition of qualifications by the relevant Bundesland, which varies in process and timeline. International school positions are generally accessible to English-speaking teachers without German language requirements.