School commencement in Germany occurs during sweltering summer temperatures
Germany is gearing up for a new academic year as students in various states prepare to return to school. The school year, which traditionally starts after the summer holidays, varies among the federal states due to a staggered system designed to reduce travel congestion.
On August 14, students in Lower Saxony and Bremen will resume their studies, followed by Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate on Monday, August 18. The German states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia have already commenced the 2025/26 academic year.
As for the remaining states, the search results did not provide specific information about their school start dates for the 2025/26 academic year. However, based on typical patterns, these dates usually fall between mid-August and early September. To find the official school start dates for all German states, one would typically consult the official education ministry websites of each Bundesland or aggregate sources specializing in German school calendars.
Meanwhile, the country is experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach up to 35°C in some areas by mid-week. The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued a warning for the incoming heatwave. Hot and humid air from the southwest is expected to reach Germany, starting from today.
In a recent development, debates have arisen regarding long-term planning for holiday periods from 2030, with some states advocating for their turn to go last. However, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg have opted out of this "rolling system" and always go last on holiday. Bavaria's Minister-President, Markus Söder, stated, "We have our own holiday rhythm, it's basically ingrained in Bavarian DNA."
After the end of school holidays, those without school-aged children can enjoy cheaper prices and less crowded beaches and attractions from mid-September onwards. The holiday season in Germany typically spans over three months, with Hesse, Saxony, and Thuringia scheduled to start their autumn holidays on October 6.
For a more detailed and accurate understanding of the school start dates for each federal state, it is recommended to visit the official education ministry websites or specialized German school calendar websites.
On the rain-free August days, students in the remaining German states, such as North Rhine-Westphalia or Berlin, may likely begin their education-and-self-development journey, following the traditional pattern which usually falls between mid-August and early September. Meanwhile, as these intellectual pursuits unfold, the country continues to grapple with the weather challenges, with the German Weather Service (DWD) warning of a heatwave that could raise temperatures to 35°C in some regions by mid-week.
