>>108952177>homeschooling isn't even a thing in europeHey ChatGPT is homeschooling a thing in Europe?
Yes — homeschooling does exist in Europe, but its legal status and how common it is vary a lot from country to country. It’s generally much less widespread than in the United States and often more tightly regulated.
Where it is legal
In several European countries, homeschooling is allowed under regulation:
United Kingdom – Legal. Parents must ensure a full-time education but don’t have to register with authorities in most of the UK (though changes to oversight are being discussed).
Belgium – Legal with registration and exam requirements.
Austria – Legal if parents notify authorities and children take annual exams.
Ireland – Legal and protected by the constitution.
Italy, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Norway – Legal with various rules on supervision and assessments.
Finland – Legal but relatively uncommon.
Where it’s restricted or banned
Some countries either ban homeschooling outright or only allow it in very limited cases:
Germany – Homeschooling is illegal with rare exceptions (like serious health issues), and compulsory school attendance is enforced by law.
Netherlands – Generally illegal with very limited exemptions.
Greece, Croatia, and several others have laws requiring school attendance, meaning homeschooling isn’t an accepted alternative for most families.
Key trends
Homeschooling tends to be rare in Europe compared to places like the US.
Even where it’s legal, parents usually must meet regulatory requirements, such as registering with authorities, following national curriculum standards, or having inspections/exams.
Attitudes toward homeschooling vary: some societies focus on formal schooling for socialization and integration, others are more flexible but still cautious.
In short: yes, homeschooling is a thing in Europe, but whether it’s allowed — and how easy it is to do — depends a lot on the country you’re looking at.
