German Schools Commence Amidst Soaring Summer Temperatures
As the summer heatwave approaches Germany, the country is gearing up for the end of its extended school vacations and the start of a new academic year.
The summer holidays, traditionally lasting for about three months in Germany, are coming to an end for most primary and secondary schools. The overall academic year mainly starts between mid-August to early September 2025, consistent with general European school calendars.
However, the exact start dates for individual states can vary. For instance, Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein will begin on September 4 and September 8, respectively. Berlin and Brandenburg will start a week later on September 8, while Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg will follow suit on September 16 and September 15, respectively.
Meanwhile, the heatwave is expected to hit Germany as early as today, with temperatures reaching up to 32 degrees. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), peak temperatures of up to 35 degrees are expected in some areas by the middle of the week, with temperatures of up to 38 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday.
While the summer intake for universities in Germany starts classes in March-April 2026, this concerns tertiary education rather than school start dates.
In a departure from the usual "rolling system" for scheduling holidays, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg do not participate and always go on holiday last. Markus Söder, Minister-President of Bavaria, stated that the Bavarian holiday rhythm is deeply ingrained in the DNA of the Bavarians. Other federal states are planning to have a turn at being the last to start from 2030 onwards.
As the schools prepare to reopen, students in Lower Saxony and Bremen will return on August 14. The autumn school holidays will begin in Hesse, Saxony, and Thuringia on October 6, coinciding with Germany's public holiday, German Unity Day, on October 3.
The end of the summer holidays offers cheaper prices and less crowded beaches and tourist attractions from mid-September onwards for those without school-age children. As the country transitions into autumn, Germany prepares for a new academic year and a shift in its holiday patterns.
As the new academic year approaches in Germany, the country's students, regardless of the varying start dates among states, will also need to contend with the ongoing summer heatwave, with temperatures predicted to reach up to 38 degrees by mid-week, according to the German Weather Service (DWD). Meanwhile, the education-and-self-development sector, including tertiary institutions, is aligned with a different schedule, with the summer intake for universities starting classes in March-April 2026.
