Stay in School: It’s Illegal to Homeschool in These Countries
Stay in School: It’s Illegal to Homeschool in These Countries
Homeschooling has steadily grown in popularity since the ’70s, when John Holt advocated for the practice across the U.S. The usual growth rates of 2%-8% per year surged higher still during the pandemic.
Today, 11.1% of American children are homeschooled. In other countries, however, homeschooling is restricted, managed by public or private schools, or flat out illegal.
Here’s are the countries where homeschooling is restricted, along with any exceptions:
Albania
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No exceptions in this beautiful Balkan nation.
Andorra
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No exceptions in this tiny country in the Pyrenees between Spain and France.
Armenia
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Azerbaijan
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No exceptions in this Eurasian nation on the Caspian Sea.
Belarus
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No exceptions in the former Soviet republic.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
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No exceptions in the Balkan state where World War I started.
Bulgaria
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Students with special needs may be homeschooled under strict government control.
China
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Homeschooling is illegal for citizens, but foreign residents are permitted.
Costa Rica
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No exceptions in this Central American nation.
Croatia
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No exceptions in this popular country on the Adriatic Sea.
Cuba
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It’s unlikely for an American family to move to Cuba, but there are no exceptions here.
Cyprus
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No exceptions on this Mediterranean island.
Georgia
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No exceptions in this country on the Black Sea.
Germany
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No exceptions in the E.U. nation. One homeschooling family who’s been in Tennessee for 15 years may finally be deported after seeking asylum in the U.S. from German public schools.
Greece
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No exceptions in Greece, a top choice for American expats.
Guatemala
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No exceptions in Guatemala, the most populous country in Central America.
Hungary
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Although not strictly illegal, a 2019 law says that children must be supervised by a school and pass annual exams.
Iceland
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Legal only if the homeschooler is a certified teacher.
Iran
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No exceptions in the Middle East nation.
Liechtenstein
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Allowed if approved by the education authority, which is rare.
Malta
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No exceptions on the Mediterranean island that popular with retirees and digital nomads.
Montenegro
No exceptions in the small Balkan country.
Netherlands
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Illegal, but there are some exceptions if your municipality approves.
North Macedonia
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No exceptions in the nation just north of Greece.
San Marino
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No exceptions in the teeny microstate inside northern Italy.
Sierra Leone
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No exceptions in the West African nation.
South Korea
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Illegal, but generally unenforced.
Sweden
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There are few exceptions, and homeschooling is almost never approved.
Turkey
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No exceptions in the large Eurasian country.
The Best School Choices for Expat Kids
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Finding the best school choices for expat kids can be a daunting task, with a myriad of factors to consider and options to choose from. As a parent, you want your child to thrive academically and socially in their new environment. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the complexities of selecting the ideal education option for your child, offering insights into local, international, and online schools, and providing tips for a smooth transition to a new country.
➤ The Best School Choices for Expat Kids
Jen Barnett is the co-founder of Expatsi, a company that's helped thousands of Americans on their moving abroad journeys. She created the Expatsi Test, an assessment that recommends countries for aspiring emigrants based on lifestyle data. Jen has an MBA from Emory University with concentrations in marketing and innovation. Prior to Expatsi, she created Freshfully and Bottle & Bone—two businesses in the local food space—and spoke at TEDx on being brave. She lives in Mérida, Yucatán, along with her husband and co-founder Brett, pitbull mix Squiggy, and two rotten cats. How can she help you move abroad?
