Back to school checklist Germany 2026: what to buy and admin tasks for primary school

The start of the 2026 school year in Germany is just around the corner, and preparing the back to school checklist Germany 2026—including school supplies, uniforms (if required), sports gear, and administrative tasks—can feel overwhelming. This guide is designed for families with children in primary school, covering everything you need to buy, recommended brands, and local stores where you can find the items. It also includes key administrative steps to ensure nothing is missed before the first day of school.

In Germany, each Bundesland (federal state) has its own rules regarding school supplies, uniforms (rare in public schools but common in private or international schools), and administrative requirements. This checklist covers the essentials for most public and private primary schools, with adjustments based on the region. If your child is starting Grundschule (primary school) in 2026, this guide will help you organize purchases and tasks without stress.

Where to shop and what to prioritize

In Germany, chains like dm, Rossmann, Tedi, and Müller are great for affordable basic supplies, while stores like Depot or Butlers offer more creative options. For sports gear, Decathlon or Intersport are solid choices. For quality brands, Faber-Castell (pencils and markers), Staedtler (erasers and sharpeners), and Herlitz (notebooks) are reliable. Remember: many schools send a specific supply list by mail in July or August, so check it before shopping.

• Review the official school supplies list sent by the school (usually arrives by mail in July or August 2026)
• Buy an ergonomic backpack with lumbar support (recommended brands: Deuter, Ergobag, or Scout)
• Purchase a basic pencil case with HB pencils, blue/black/red pens, colored markers (Faber-Castell), eraser (Staedtler), and a metal sharpener
• Buy spiral or stapled notebooks (A4 or A5 size, depending on the school; brands Herlitz or Oxford) with customizable covers if desired
• Include plastic or cardboard folders for organizing loose sheets (brands Leitz or Esselte)
• Buy a basic calculator (if required by the school; model Casio fx-82DE X or similar)
• Purchase a 30 cm ruler, set square, protractor, and compass (brands Staedtler or Faber-Castell)
• Buy round-tip scissors (Fiskars) and glue stick or liquid glue (Pritt or UHU)
• Include a drawing pad (A4 size, thick paper) and crayons or watercolors (Pelikan or Crayola)
• Buy a lunch box (stainless steel or BPA-free plastic, brands Emsa or LunchBots) and a reusable water bottle (Siggi or Klean Kanteen)
• Check if the school requires a uniform (uncommon in public schools but standard in private or international schools) and purchase from stores like Schuluniform-Shop.de or Trigema
• Buy sports gear: gym shoes (Adidas or Nike), tracksuit (Puma or Under Armour), T-shirt, and shorts for physical education
• Purchase a sports bag to store the gear (Nike or Decathlon)
• Check if your child needs specific materials for subjects like music (recorder Hohner) or art (brushes, canvases)
• Update the health insurance card (Krankenversicherungskarte) and bring it to school on the first day
• Submit the enrollment or renewal form (if applicable) signed by parents before the deadline (usually August 2026)
• Pay the Schulmaterial or Elternbeitrag fee (if required by the school; varies by state, between €20 and €100)
• Attend the start-of-school meeting (Elternabend) to meet teachers and receive additional information
• Prepare a passport-sized photo of your child for school documents (if requested by the school)
• Buy adhesive labels with your child’s name to mark clothes and supplies (brands Name It or Stikets)