Reimbursement of travel costs to and from school

Munich schoolchildren can apply for a cost exemption or reimbursement of travel costs for their journey to school by public transport.

Description

School transport in Bavaria is regulated by law.

The entitlement to free travel to school begins at the time of application, but no earlier than the start of the school year. If the application is approved, pupils receive a free 365-euro ticket. As a rule, transport is provided by public transport (MVV).

Have you lost your ticket? Please contact the school office for a replacement as soon as possible.

Prerequisites

Pupils with their usual place of residence in Munich can apply for a free MVV season ticket under the following conditions:

  • Grades 1 - 4: The pupils have a journey to school of more than two kilometres and attend their local school.
  • Years 5 - 10: Pupils have a journey to school of more than three kilometres and attend their nearest school.
  • From year 11: From year 11 onwards, free travel to school is subject to the so-called social clause. Pupils can only claim free travel to school on the basis of economic and social necessity. Corresponding proof (see under "Questions and answers") must be submitted with the application.

Duration & Costs

Processing time

It may take longer to process applications at the beginning of the school year, as many applications are submitted at this time.

Fees

free of charge

Questions & Answers

We receive a large number of applications, especially at the beginning of the school year. We ask for your understanding that processing may take some time for this reason.

If you have any further questions, please send us an e-mail.

Please always include your child's first name, surname, date of birth and the school attended in your e-mail.

For grades 1 to 10 , if the above-mentioned requirements are met, no documents are required for the application.

From year 11 onwards, pupils are still entitled to free travel to school within the meaning of the law if, in addition to the general requirements for travelling to school, one of the following documents is submitted with the application:

  • Proof of receipt of child benefit in accordance with the Federal Child Benefit Act (BKKG) for three or more children (as of August before the start of school)
  • Proof of receipt of benefits according to the German Social Code (SGB II, XII or BuT), as of August before the start of school
  • Proof of receipt of benefits in accordance with the Asylum Act

Regardless of the distance to school, pupils may be entitled to free transport to school if they can provide one of the following proofs

  • Need for transport due to a recognised disability
  • Proof of non-admission or confirmation of overcrowding
  • Assignment by the ministerial representative

All required proof can be submitted via the upload when submitting the application.

In principle, you will only be reimbursed for the travel costs incurred if you are authorised to travel to school free of charge. The pro rata costs of the 365-euro ticket (36.50 euros per month of entitlement) will be reimbursed - from the start of entitlement until the start of validity of the free ticket.

If you have purchased a ticket or season ticket privately in advance, you can usually cancel it with a special right of cancellation vis-à-vis MVG with reference to the approval of the free travel to school.

Please note: If the application is rejected, the costs will not be reimbursed and there is no special right of cancellation for privately purchased tickets.

Note: It may be advisable to buy a 49-euro ticket in order to benefit from cancellation conditions - regardless of whether the free travel to school is approved.

Reimbursement of travel costs for the previous school year is only possible from year 11 onwards. The deadline for this ends in October of the following school year.

No. You do not have to submit any tickets, as the travel costs incurred will be reimbursed as a lump sum if your application is approved.

Please note: If the application is rejected, the costs will not be reimbursed and there is no special right of cancellation for privately purchased tickets.

You will receive the notification by post. If you have agreed in the application that the notification may be sent electronically, you will receive the letter of authorisation by email if the free travel to school is approved.

The ticket can be collected by your child from the school office and is ready for collection at the latest on the last day of school before the ticket becomes valid.

Since the 2023/2024 school year, the family contribution limit has been 320 euros per pupil or 490 euros per family and school year. Reimbursement is made for the total costs of transport incurred and to be recognised in a school year that exceed these amounts. The prerequisite is that the nearest public and state-recognised school is attended and the shortest possible route to school is longer than 3 kilometres.

Please submit an application for reimbursement and upload the supporting documents. This can be submitted by 31 October at the latest for the previous school year.

Landeshauptstadt München

Referat für Bildung und Sport
Gast- und Vertragsschulwesen, Kostenfreiheit des Schulweges

Internet

Phone

Postal address

Landeshauptstadt München
Referat für Bildung und Sport
Gast- und Vertragsschulwesen, Kostenfreiheit des Schulweges

Neuhauser Straße 39
80331 München

Fax: +49 89 233-41629

Address

Neuhauser Straße 39
80331 München

Room: 4. Stock

Thursday 2 - 5 pm
Beyond that by telephone arrangement.

Currently closed, please contact us by phone or e-mail.

Related services

Support for children of pre-school age

If your child is between the ages of 4 and 7 and you want to prepare them for school at home, you can take advantage of the HIPPY support programme.

Reformed health check-up for school enrolment

If your child is due to start school in September, they must first take part in the reformed school enrolment health examination (rSEU).

Registration for primary school

If your child turns six by 30 September, you must register them for school enrolment at the relevant primary school on 13 March 2024.

School district - Guest school application

Public primary, special and secondary schools are subject to compulsory attendance. If there are compelling personal reasons, you can apply for an exemption.