Home education in Poland (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: Poland requires education until age 18, and the school duty starts in the year a child turns 7. Parents can educate a child outside school only with an authorisation from the head of the school where the child is enrolled. The child must sit annual classification exams at that school.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Legal status of home educationChildren of compulsory school age | Permitted with prior authorisation [1] |
| Nature of the parental dutyChildren of compulsory school age | Duty to attend or be enrolled at school [1] |
| Approval or notification neededChildren of compulsory school age | Parents apply to the head of the school to which the child has been admitted. The head decides by administrative decision. The application must include a parental declaration that the child will have the conditions to follow the core curriculum for that stage, and an undertaking that the child will sit annual classification exams each school year (not required for children with a certificate of moderate or severe intellectual disability). The exams cover a part of the core curriculum agreed with the head and are held by that school; no behaviour grade is given. The authorisation is withdrawn on the parents' request, if the child misses or fails the annual exams without justification, or if it was issued in breach of the law. [1] |
| Compulsory schooling ageChildren of compulsory school age | Education is compulsory until age 18. The school duty starts at the beginning of the school year in the calendar year the child turns 7 and lasts until completing primary school, but not beyond age 18. A child turning 6 in that year must complete one year of preschool preparation, and may start primary school at 6 on the parents' request. [1] |
Notes
- The head of the school the child is enrolled in may, on the parents' request, authorise the child to meet the school duty outside school.
- The child can use the school's support (lessons, textbooks, consultations) under art. 37 ust. 7. The same procedure covers preschool preparation, school duty and the duty to study up to age 18.
- Art. 35 ust. 2 of the consolidated text carries a note that its wording applies only until a later amendment takes effect; that amendment was not identified or read.
Sources
- Marszałek Sejmu Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (Dziennik Ustaw, via ELI): Obwieszczenie Marszałka Sejmu Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 12 czerwca 2026 r. w sprawie ogłoszenia jednolitego tekstu ustawy - Prawo oświatowe (Dz. U. 2026 poz. 820) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.