Admissions Process for Hamburg Secondary Schools

Gymnasium or Stadtteilschule?

Hamburg offers two paths to the Abitur:

• Gymnasium: Abitur after 8 years (grades 5–12). Academically demanding, with a two-year observation phase in grades 5 and 6.
• Stadtteilschule: Abitur after 9 years (grades 5–13). All qualifications possible, with more individualized support.

Both school types lead to the same Abitur. There are no catchment areas — parents can freely choose any public school in Hamburg.

Timeline and Deadlines

Overview of the enrollment process for school year 2026/27:

1. 1 October–January: Research

   Schools host open days and information evenings. In grade 4, parents receive the primary school recommendation (Gymnasium or Stadtteilschule) — in Hamburg, this is non-binding; parents decide freely.

2. 2 First week of February: Registration

   During registration week, parents submit the registration form in person at their first-choice school. The form lists up to three school preferences.

3. 3 February–April: Allocation

   The school authority allocates places centrally. When a school is oversubscribed, the statutory selection criteria apply (see below).

4. 4 April: Decision

   Parents receive the placement decision by mail. An objection (Widerspruch) can be filed within four weeks of receiving a rejection.

First, Second, and Third Choice

Parents can list up to three schools on the registration form. At the first-choice school, you only compete with other first-choice families. At the second- and third-choice schools, you are behind all first-choice applicants for that school.

This is why the first choice matters most. The BSB recommends choosing a school where admission is realistic — our enrollment data helps you gauge the demand. Enrollments.

Selection Criteria When Oversubscribed

When there are more applications than places, selection follows § 42 (7) HmbSG in this order:

1. Hardship cases: Children with a specific emergency situation that makes them dependent on this particular school.
2. Siblings: Children who will have a sibling at the same school in the coming school year receive priority.
3. School route distance: Among remaining applicants, places are allocated by the length of the school commute — those living closer have priority.

Special Rules for Gymnasium

• The primary school recommendation is non-binding — parents can register their child at a Gymnasium even against the recommendation.
• During the observation phase (grades 5 and 6), the school assesses whether the child can keep up. If not, a transfer to a Stadtteilschule takes place.

What Happens If Rejected?

• If the child is not admitted to the first-choice school, they are automatically considered for the second and then third choice.
• If none of the three choices can be fulfilled, the school authority assigns a place at a school of the same type within reasonable distance.
• Parents can file an objection (Widerspruch) against the decision and, if necessary, pursue a legal challenge (Schulplatzklage) at the Hamburg Administrative Court.

Tips for Parents

• Visit multiple schools on their open days — every school has its own profile and atmosphere.
• Check enrollment numbers from past years on our page Enrollments.
• Choose a first-choice school where your child has realistic chances of admission. For highly oversubscribed schools, the school route distance can be decisive.
• Use the Geoportal Hamburg school information system to calculate the school route from your home.

Official Sources

• BSB: Registration round for grade 5
• BSB: From grade 5 to graduation
• School Information Center Hamburg (SIZ)
• § 42 HmbSG — School admission law
• BSB: School choice information (PDF)
• Geoportal Hamburg — School information system
• BSB: Enrollment numbers for grade 5 — SY 2026/27