Schooling from home in Austria:

What Parents Need to Know in 2025

A clear, simple guide for families exploring their options.

Home education (häuslicher Unterricht) is legal and well-established in Austria.

Families must notify their district education authority before the school year begins and ensure their child receives an education equivalent to that offered in public schools. Children take annual exams to confirm progress.

Is schooling from home legal in Austria?

Yes. Article 17 of the Austrian Education Act guarantees the right to home education. Parents simply notify their district authority and can begin unless the authority objects within one month. Annual assessments (Externistenprüfungen) confirm that learning outcomes match public school standards.

What are the steps?

1
Notify your district education authority. Submit a written declaration before the start of the school year.
2
Wait for acknowledgement. If the authority does not object within one month, you can begin.
3
Provide equivalent instruction. Parents may choose their own curriculum, but it must lead to comparable results.
4
Complete annual exams. Students take external exams each year to move to the next grade.
5
Renew notification annually. Submit a new notice at the beginning of each school year.
In Austria, families who choose häuslicher Unterricht must notify their local education authority before the school year begins and provide an education equivalent to that offered in public schools. It gives families freedom in how learning happens, but it also means parents must plan lessons, document progress, and ensure their child is ready for the annual equivalency exam held at a recognised school.
That’s where
helps

What is bina and how is it different?

bina is a global, accredited online school for children ages 4–12.

We offer live, interactive, small-group learning that brings the energy and connection of a great classroom into your home.

Small, live classes with caring teachers

Classes are capped at 7 students, so teachers know your child’s name, learning style, and interests. You stay as involved as you want to be while we handle the teaching and structure.

A curriculum that fits your child

Your child learns at a pace that works for them, with space to explore their interests and the support they need to thrive. Our accredited programme is internationally recognised, giving you peace of mind that they’re learning what matters.

Friendships and belonging

Children make genuine friends with classmates from around the world. In small groups, they build confidence, practise social skills, and feel part of a real community — all from the safety of home.

You stay in the know

You’ll get weekly updates on what your child is learning and quarterly progress reports. A dedicated family success manager works with you to make sure everything fits your goals as a parent.
For legal purposes, families in Austria are considered to be providing home education. Parents must notify their local school authority annually and ensure their child participates in yearly exams. bina provides the daily teaching, structure, and progress reports to make that process simple and transparent.

What parents say

"bina has helped us navigate SEL in a fun way and develop her independence and confidence!"

Lorena Marden

"My grandson is a hands on and visual learner. Where we live there are no real learning programs geared towards different learning styles. bina has been a blessing for Aydin and our family. The worry and stress have eased tremendously."

Diedre Shakir

“Lily’s love for learning and creativity really gets to shine at bina. As her parents, we are inspired knowing her weekly goals and progress as discussed with us by her teachers and support team.”

Rae Bram

“We spent all of 2023 traveling through all 7 continents. We tried homeschooling, world schooling and even unschooling. Finding bina helped us to bridge the gap we were missing with the other education options we tried.”

Sarah Schmirl

"bina has helped us navigate SEL in a fun way and develop her independence and confidence!"

Lorena Marden

"My grandson is a hands on and visual learner. Where we live there are no real learning programs geared towards different learning styles. bina has been a blessing for Aydin and our family. The worry and stress have eased tremendously."

Diedre Shakir

“Lily’s love for learning and creativity really gets to shine at bina. As her parents, we are inspired knowing her weekly goals and progress as discussed with us by her teachers and support team.”

Rae Bram

“We spent all of 2023 traveling through all 7 continents. We tried homeschooling, world schooling and even unschooling. Finding bina helped us to bridge the gap we were missing with the other education options we tried.”

Sarah Schmirl

Find out if bina is right for you

1
Book a free consultation to see how bina can fit your family’s goals, schedule, and lifestyle.
2
Join a bina adventure with your child and walk away with tailored growth insights — no strings attached.
We’re happy to answer your questions and help you figure out what’s possible for your family.
Whether you’re ready to make a change or just gathering information, we’re here to help.

The questions we hear most from parents like you.

Will my child keep up with the Austrian curriculum?

Yes. bina’s accredited programme follows international standards that align closely with Austria’s Lehrplan for primary education. We provide reports and documentation to support the annual assessment required by Austrian law.

Will my child make friends if we learn from home?

Absolutely. Small, live classes and clubs help children connect quickly — with classmates across Austria and around the world.

How much of my time will this take as a parent?

We handle the live teaching, curriculum, and structure. You stay informed through regular updates and progress reports but aren’t expected to be your child’s teacher.

Can we return to a local school later?

Yes. bina’s accredited curriculum ensures your child stays aligned with national standards, making re-entry to a public or private school seamless.

What about screens?

Classes are held in short, focused blocks with movement, breaks, and off-screen projects built into the schedule.

Do we need to register with anyone before starting?

Yes. Families must notify their local education authority (Bezirksschulrat or Bildungsdirektion) before the start of each school year that they intend to provide home education (häuslicher Unterricht).

Will bina’s programme meet Austria’s annual exam requirement?

Yes. bina’s structured curriculum, assessment tracking, and documentation make it easy to prepare for the yearly equivalency exam (Externistenprüfung) at a recognised school.

What happens if my child doesn’t pass the exam?

If the exam isn’t passed, your child must re-enrol in a regular school for the following year. bina helps ensure your child stays fully prepared for success.

Do I need permission to homeschool?

No — you only need to notify the authorities. They can object within one week if they believe the programme isn’t equivalent to Austrian schooling, but this is rare when proper structure and evidence are provided.

What if we move abroad?

bina travels with you. We’ll guide you through new local requirements so your child can continue learning without interruption.