Cantonal Differences in Education: What Should Hungarian Parents Know?

Why do the education systems of 26 cantons differ from one another?

Switzerland is a federal state: the Constitution (Bundesverfassung / Constitution fédérale) leaves the regulation of education primarily to the cantons. The federal level has direct authority only in vocational education and training (Berufsbildung / formation professionnelle) and in certain areas of the university sector.

The coordinating body that brings together the education ministries of the 26 cantons is the EDK (Schweizerische Konferenz der kantonalen Erziehungsdirektoren / Conférence suisse des directeurs cantonaux de l'instruction publique). In 2009, the EDK adopted the so-called HarmoS Agreement (Interkantonale Vereinbarung über die Harmonisierung der obligatorischen Schule), which most cantons joined. The aim of HarmoS was to align the main framework of compulsory education — the age at which school starts, the length of school levels, and the sequence for introducing foreign languages. However, harmonisation is not complete: the cantons retain their detailed authority over curriculum and organisational decisions.

What this means for Hungarian parents: if they move from one canton to another because of a job change or relocation, their child will not necessarily enter the same level or content of education. Managing the transition is the responsibility of the new canton’s school, but the parent also needs to take an active role.

When and how does school start? Kindergarten and primary school with cantonal differences

Age for starting school

Under the HarmoS Agreement, in the cantons that have joined, school starts in the calendar year in which the child turns 4 by August 1. This means a two-year kindergarten stage (Kindergarten / école enfantine), which is part of compulsory education.

Some cantons — including Appenzell Innerrhoden and Uri — have not joined the HarmoS Agreement, and the conditions for starting school there may differ.

Primary school (Primarschule / école primaire) in most cantons starts at age 6 and lasts 6 years, but in some cantons (e.g. Ticino, parts of Graubünden) the structure is different.

School days and holidays

School holidays are determined by the cantons. The summer break ranges from 5 to 7 weeks; in Zürich canton, for example, it is typically 6 weeks, while some Romand (French-speaking) cantons use a different schedule. This matters because it does not necessarily coincide with the summer break in Hungary, which can also affect holidays spent with grandparents.

Secondary education: how is the child’s path decided?

Secondary I — the branching point

After primary school comes secondary I (Sekundarstufe I / degré secondaire I), which in most cantons lasts 3 years (between ages 11 and 15), but in some cantons 4 years. This is the point where the Swiss system channels children into different learning paths based on performance and interests.

The exact names and the number of tracks vary by canton:

In Ticino, the canton runs a unified lower secondary school, where selection only happens when students move on to upper secondary level — this differs significantly from the early tracking used in the German-speaking cantons.

Important for Hungarian parents: if a child arrives from Hungary and does not speak the local language of instruction, the initial placement may not fully reflect their true abilities. It is worth discussing with the school the temporary assessment period.

Lower secondary II — gymnasium or vocational training?

Lower secondary II splits into two main paths:

1. Gymnasium (Gymnasium / Gymnase / Liceo): ends with the Matura / Maturité / Maturità and qualifies students for university admission. Entry requirements for gymnasium vary by canton — in some cantons (e.g. Zürich) an entrance exam is required, while in others (e.g. some Romandie cantons) admission is decided based on primary school performance.

1. Vocational training (Berufslehre / apprentissage / apprendistato): one of the best-known features of the Swiss system, the dual vocational education and training (duale Berufsbildung). Students spend 3–4 days a week at a company and 1–2 days at a vocational school. Vocational training is strongly regulated at federal level, so it varies less from canton to canton than primary school.

What language does the child learn in? Language education and multilingualism

The four national languages and the education regions

Switzerland has four national languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. The country’s four main language regions are:

• Deutschschweiz (German-speaking): Zürich, Bern, Luzern, Aargau, St. Gallen and 13 other cantons

• Romandie (French-speaking): Genève, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Jura, Fribourg and part of Valais

• Ticino (Italian-speaking)

• Graubünden: trilingual canton (German, Romansh, Italian)

The child studies in the language of instruction of the canton. If they move to Zürich, the teaching language is Swiss Standard German (Hochdeutsch), while everyday communication takes place in Swiss German dialect (Schweizerdeutsch) — this can be especially difficult at first.

When does foreign language teaching begin?

Under the HarmoS agreement, in the cantons that have joined:

• Teaching of the first foreign language starts in 3rd grade (around age 8–9).

• The second foreign language starts in 5th grade (around age 10–11).

However, the order of foreign languages differs from canton to canton, and this is a politically sensitive issue:

⚠️ Note: the order of languages chosen by individual cantons has changed several times over the past decade and has remained a subject of political debate. It is worth checking the current rules of the relevant canton on the website of the cantonal education authority (Bildungsdirektion / Direction de l'instruction publique).

How are previous studies recognized? Mobility between cantons

Transitions within a canton and between cantons

If a Hungarian child arrives in Switzerland, the school places them based on an assessment interview or a short observation period. There is no uniform federal procedure for this — the school and the canton’s own rules apply.

If a family moves from one canton to another, the EDK coordinates the recognition principles, but the specific placement is the responsibility of the new canton’s school. Gymnasium years are generally recognized, but differences in subject content and levels may require a transitional catch-up period.

Recognition of Hungarian school qualifications

Recognition of primary and secondary studies completed in Hungary is not automatic, but most cantons handle primary-school level flexibly. For equivalence of the Hungarian secondary school leaving certificate (érettségi), the SBFI (Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation / Secrétariat d'État à la formation, à la recherche et à l'innovation) deals with vocational and federal Matura-level matters, while recognition of cantonal Gymnasium Matura falls under cantonal jurisdiction.

Private schools and international schools: what are the options and how much do they cost?

In Switzerland, private schools and international schools offer a wide range of options, especially in the Zürich, Geneva, Lausanne and Basel metropolitan areas.

Why do families choose private school?

• The child does not speak the local language of instruction, and an English-language school means a shorter transition.

• The parents are planning a short-term stay in Switzerland and value continuity.

• A special pedagogical approach (Waldorf, Montessori, IB programme).

Approximate costs

Annual tuition fees at private schools in Switzerland vary widely:

These are indicative ranges; the current fees should be checked on each institution’s website.

State school in Switzerland is free — no tuition fees are charged. Private school is therefore an additional option, not the default.

What support is available? Integration and special needs

Integration support in state school

Most cantons offer some form of language integration programme for children who have recently arrived and do not speak the local language of instruction. These are known under different names:

• Deutsch als Zweitsprache (DaZ): German as a second language — commonly available in German-speaking cantons.

• Classe d'accueil / classe d'intégration: reception class in the Romandy cantons.

• Corso di italiano per stranieri: in Italian-speaking Ticino.

The length and intensity of these programmes vary from canton to canton and from school to school. In some cantons (e.g. Zürich), integration support is well developed and separately funded; in smaller cantons, resources may be more limited.

Special educational needs (SEN)

Support for children with special educational needs (Kinder mit besonderem Bildungsbedarf / enfants à besoins éducatifs particuliers) is also a cantonal responsibility. The process — assessment, individual development plan, special class or integration — differs from canton to canton. If your child already had an SEN assessment in Hungary, it is not automatically valid in Switzerland; the new canton will carry out its own evaluation.

Practical guide for Hungarian families: what should you do before moving?

Checklist before making a decision

1. Identify the canton of your future place of residence, and look up the website of the relevant cantonal education authority (Bildungsdirektion / Direction de l'instruction publique / Dipartimento dell'educazione).

2. Check your child’s age and the school structure in the canton: when does primary school start, how long does it last, and when is the first tracking point?

3. Find out the language of instruction: how well does your child know that language? Is an integration programme available?

4. Ask your future employer or HR department: many large Swiss employers offer relocation support, which may include help with school enrolment.

5. Get in touch with the local Hungarian community: active Hungarian communities operate in Zürich, Bern, Genève and Basel, and their members can share first-hand experience of school integration.

6. Ask about weekend Hungarian schools: several Swiss cities have weekend Hungarian classes that help children maintain their Hungarian language and cultural ties.

7. Collect your child’s school documents: report cards, any SEN documentation, vaccination record — these may be requested at enrolment.

Enrolment process

Enrolment is handled by the relevant canton and municipality (Gemeinde / commune). After you register your address (Anmeldung), the municipality will usually inform the parent automatically about the school enrolment process. If this does not happen within a few weeks, it is worth proactively contacting the local school or the Schulverwaltung (school administration).

Sources

• Federal State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SBFI): https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/

• ch.ch — the joint information portal of the Swiss authorities: https://www.ch.ch/en/

• Swiss Universities (swissuniversities): https://www.swissuniversities.ch/

• EDK — Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (Schweizerische Konferenz der kantonalen Erziehungsdirektoren): https://www.edk.ch/ (checking the current URL is recommended)

• The text of the HarmoS Agreement and the list of cantons that have joined: available on the EDK website

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