System-based financing

In kindergarten education

The financing of kindergartens in the German-speaking Community is based on three main components: staff costs, operating costs and building costs. The salaries or salary subsidies of all school heads, teachers and educators are fully (100%) financed by the German-speaking Community, both in communal schools (GUW) and in subsidised institutions (OSUW and FSUW), provided that the statutory requirements regarding professional qualifications and employment conditions are met.

With regard to operating costs, GUW kindergartens are organised and fully funded by the German-speaking Community. To cover operating and procurement costs, they receive an allocation charged to the public budget. The subsidised school providers of OSUW and FSUW receive annual operating grants. The basic amount is €182 per child (as of 2001, indexed to €314.57 in September 2025). These grants cover a large proportion of operating and equipment expenses, as well as the free distribution of school books and materials, the rental of buildings, premises, furniture, materials and installations, and the costs incurred by the tenant for repairs and maintenance carried out on the rented property.

In addition, targeted funds are made available to reduce the costs of school attendance: kindergartens receive additional funding (€25.00 per primary school pupil, indexed to €33.50 in September 2020), meaning that no charges may be levied for photocopies, daily notebooks, swimming lessons or one-day activities.

The bodies responsible for kindergartens are in charge of the construction and maintenance of buildings. The bodies responsible for subsidised kindergartens, both municipalities and independent providers, receive—subject to budgetary availability—80% of the approved construction costs and 60% of the approved furnishing and equipment costs (e.g. furniture and IT equipment). Since 2013, the public-law service “Service and Logistics”, operating under separate management, has gradually taken over the maintenance and cleaning of communal kindergartens.

In primary education

The financing of primary schools in the German-speaking Community follows the same three-part system as in kindergarten education: staff costs, operating costs and building costs. All salaries and salary subsidies for head teachers, teaching staff, administrative staff and other employees are financed at 100% from the funds of the German-speaking Community. This applies both to public-sector institutions and to independent providers, provided that the statutory requirements regarding professional qualifications and employment conditions are met.

Primary schools within the GUW are organised and fully funded by the German-speaking Community. To cover operating and procurement costs, they receive an allocation charged to the public budget. The subsidised school authorities of OSUW and FSUW receive annual operating grants. The basic amount is €245 per child (as of 2001, indexed to €423.46 in September 2025). These grants cover a large proportion of the running costs.

In addition, targeted funding is provided to reduce the costs of school attendance: primary schools receive additional funds (€100 per primary school pupil, indexed to €134.00 in September 2025), meaning that parents or legal guardians may not be charged for photocopies, daily notebooks, swimming lessons or one-day activities.

A further focus lies on the allocation of financial resources for educational purposes such as teaching materials, extracurricular activities and continuing pedagogical development (€6 per pupil, indexed to €10.24 in September 2025).

Upon application, lunchtime supervision in schools run by subsidised authorities is also subsidised. Per school site, one lunchtime supervisor may be organised for the first commenced group of 75 regular pupils (or 40 pupils in special primary education). The subsidy amounts to €6 per supervisor without a recognised teaching qualification or €8 with such a qualification (indexed to €10.37 and €13.83 respectively in September 2025).

Each school authority is responsible for the construction and maintenance of school buildings. The authorities responsible for subsidised primary schools receive, subject to budgetary availability, 80% of the approved construction costs and 60% of the approved furnishing and equipment costs (e.g. furniture and IT equipment). In recent years, the German-speaking Community has implemented extensive investment programmes in the school sector, under which primary schools have been extensively renovated or completely rebuilt. Since 2013, the public-law service “Service and Logistics”, operating under separate management, has also supported pupil transport and has taken over the maintenance and cleaning of communal schools.

In secondary education

The financing system for secondary schools corresponds in its basic structure to that of primary schools and likewise comprises the three main areas of staff costs, operating costs and building costs. The salaries and salary subsidies of all head teachers, teachers, childcare workers, administrative staff and other employees are fully (100%) financed from the funds of the German-speaking Community. This comprehensive financing of staff costs applies to GUW as well as to OSUW and FSUW, provided that the statutory requirements regarding professional qualifications and employment conditions are met.

Secondary schools within the GUW are organised and fully funded by the German-speaking Community. To cover operating and procurement costs, they receive an allocation charged to the public budget. The subsidised school authorities of OSUW and FSUW receive annual operating grants. Pupils are divided into different categories depending on year group, type of education and course of study, each with different basic amounts: Category A: €610.65 (indexed to €1,033.53 in Sept. 2025) per student, Category B: €698.05 (€1,181.45) per student, Category C: €796.95 (€1,348.84) per student, Category D: €847.55 (€1,434.48) per student. Schools with a media library additionally receive a flat-rate amount of €4,000 (€6,770.00 indexed). These subsidies cover a large portion of their expenses.

Furthermore, targeted funds are provided for educational purposes, such as teaching materials, extracurricular activities and pedagogical in-service training (€12 per pupil, indexed to €20.48 in September 2025).

Secondary schools also receive additional funding (€100 per secondary school pupil, indexed to €105.24 in September 2025) to reduce the costs of school attendance, meaning that parents or legal guardians may not be charged for photocopies, daily notebooks, swimming lessons or one-day activities.

Each school authority is responsible for the construction and maintenance of school buildings. The authorities responsible for subsidised secondary schools, both municipalities and independent providers, receive subject to budgetary availability 80% of the approved construction costs and 60% of the approved furnishing and equipment costs (e.g. furniture and IT equipment). In recent years, the German-speaking Community has implemented an extensive investment programme in the school sector, under which secondary schools have been extensively renovated or completely rebuilt. Further major infrastructure projects are currently under construction or in the planning phase. Since 2013, the public-law service “Service and Logistics”, operating under separate management, has also supported pupil transport as well as the maintenance and cleaning of communal secondary schools.

Financial autonomy and control

Fees within public education

During compulsory schooling, access to education is free of charge. No tuition fees may be charged. School authorities and the Ministry cover part of the costs of standard teaching materials.

Financial support for learners families

In kindergarten education

There is no direct financial support from public authorities for families whose children attend kindergarten. Attendance at kindergarten is free of charge. Families with children in Belgium are entitled to family allowances. In addition, tax reductions are granted when a taxpayer has several dependants (including children). However, these family allowances and tax reductions are independent of whether or not the children attend kindergarten.

From the age of three, kindergarten children may make use of free school transport. This is subject to a minimum distance of 4 kilometres between the child’s main residence and the nearest school of their free choice. The minimum distance requirement does not apply to pupils in special education.

For pupils in mainstream education, the minimum distance may be waived provided that a free seat is available on the bus and that the bus route does not need to be adapted for the pupil concerned. If approval is granted in such cases, it is valid only until the end of the school year. A new application must be submitted and reassessed for the following school year.

For transport using TEC buses (the public transport operator in the Walloon Region and the German-speaking Community), only a MOBIB card is required (€5 for five years). The subscription is free of charge up to the age of 12.

In primary education

Families with children in Belgium are entitled to family allowances. In addition, tax reductions are granted when a taxpayer has several dependants (including children). However, these family allowances and tax reductions are independent of whether or not the children attend primary school.

No tuition fees may be charged. Public financial support for families whose children attend primary school is limited to school transport.

Primary school pupils may use school transport free of charge. This is subject to a minimum distance of 4 kilometres between the child’s main residence and the nearest school of their free choice. The minimum distance requirement does not apply to pupils in special education.

For pupils in mainstream education, the minimum distance may be waived provided that a free seat is available on the bus and that the bus route does not need to be adapted for the pupil concerned. If approval is granted in such cases, it is valid only until the end of the school year. A new application must be submitted and reassessed for the following school year.

For transport using TEC buses, only a MOBIB card is required (€5 for five years). Young people aged between 12 and 17 may purchase a reduced-fare subscription from TEC. Young people aged between 18 and 24 may use the entire TEC network, including express routes, at a reduced rate of €12 per year. Large families (three or more children) receive an additional discount of 20% per child upon presentation of supporting documentation. The maximum financial burden for a family is capped at the cost of two Horizon subscriptions; if this amount is exceeded, the German-speaking Community reimburses the excess costs.

For pupils in special primary education who use a TEC bus for their journey to school, the German-speaking Community covers the cost of the subscription.

In secondary education

Families with children in Belgium receive child allowance. In addition, tax reductions are granted when a taxpayer has several dependants (including children). These child benefits and tax reductions are independent of whether or not the children attend secondary school.

Young people aged between 12 and 17 may purchase a reduced-fare subscription from TEC. Young people aged between 18 and 24 may use the entire TEC network, including express routes, at a reduced rate of €12 per year. Large families (three or more children) receive an additional discount of 20% per child upon presentation of supporting documentation. The maximum financial burden for a family is capped at the cost of two Horizon subscriptions (from 1 February 2026: the “Classic” subscription). If this amount is exceeded, the German-speaking Community reimburses the costs exceeding this maximum financial burden.

For pupils in special needs secondary education who use a TEC bus for their journey to school, the German-speaking Community covers the cost of the subscription.

Regular pupils attending a secondary school in the German-speaking Community are entitled to a study grant from the German-speaking Community if the income of the persons responsible for their maintenance does not exceed a specified threshold. The amount of the study grant ranges from €59 to €216 for non-residential pupils, and from €247 to €648 for pupils enrolled in a boarding school or renting accommodation. Study grants are paid once per school year (as of the 2025–2026 school year).

Financial support for families of pupils with special educational needs

Financial support for learners

See above.

Private education

There is no publicly funded private education in the German-speaking Community.