There is usually Protestant and Catholic religious education at German schools. You, as parents, can decide whether your child should take part. Pupils who do not take part in religious education must attend an alternative class, for example ethics studies. In this subject, the pupils deal with values, philosophy and different religions.

In some federal states ("Bundesländer"), there are also Islamic or Alevitic religious education classes given in German. Other Bundesländer are to follow. Christian Orthodox and Jewish religious education classes can , according to demand, also be given.