The Hungarian educational system includes kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools. Compulsory education lasts from age 6 to age 16. In case of children who began their education in 1998 or later, it lasts until age of 18. Educational institutions are maintained beside the state, local governments, foundations, churches and minority governments as well. While the state ensures free public education for all, non-state schools ask school fee.
Kindergarten accepts children from age 3 and ensures education for them until they become mature for attending school. Kindergarten is not compulsory for children, but according to law children at age 5 have to take part in occupations preparing them for school. The principal of the kindergarten can give a dispensation if the parents decide so and the family's situation ensure the child's development.
At general elementary level children study from age 6 to 14 in 8 grades. Those who intend to continue their study in grammar school can choose between 4 or 6 or 8 graded grammar schools. In that case they begin secondary education in the 5th or 7th or 9th grade.
In grammar schools students get general, overall cultural knowledge and are prepared for maturity, work or higher educational studies. The school-leaving exam consists of compulsory and optional subjects as well. In two-language grammar schools, teaching is continued in two languages and finishes in the 13th grade.
Regarding vocational secondary schools students are given general and professional training, which after completing the school enables them to work according to their profession or study in university or college.
Training college provides professional training and prepares youngsters for taking professional exams and become able to work in their profession.

The higher education is regulated by the higher educational law registered in 1993., which concerns to state and non-state (maintained by private person, church or foundation) institutions as well. In Hungary a dual system operates: both university (5 or 6 years) and college (maximum 4 years) gives diploma. The institutions conduct doctoral trainings, research and traineeship and give place to adult trainings. One of the most important achievement regarding the principle of equality is the prohibition of discrimination which means that the student can turn to the Hungarian court of justice if he/she experiences prejudice and in certain cases doesn't agree with the decision of the institution.

In Hungary adult training, life-long-learning becomes increasingly important. Universities, colleges and other institutions, companies organise various accredited trainings and courses.

Educational system and the EU
The ruling of public education remains within the competence of the member states. Thus the Hungarian system doesn't change. Due to the principle of free movement within the Union a student can start and continue secondary education not only in the mother country but in another member state as well. Hungarian school-leaving exams of elementary and secondary education will be accepted in other countries of the EU as well.
In case parents move to Hungary to work and the family moves as well, than the school aged children are entitled to study in a Hungarian school Hungarian language as well as his/her mother language and culture. For them the education is free of charge just like for Hungarian students. With regard to the principle of discrimination among EU-citizens the right and possibility of accession to a higher educational institution and to study in a college or a university is equal for all member-state citizens.