Back to school abroad: getting your child ready in 2026

Late August is the time when the suitcases from the holidays are not yet unpacked, but a list is already going round in your head: what your child needs before the first day of school abroad. We have put together a calm checklist so that nothing gets lost in the rush. Every child adjusts at their own pace, so use it as a support, not as an exam. A note right away: this is a general guide, not legal, immigration or educational advice — the specific rules depend on the country, the region and even the individual school.

Documents and school registration

Most school systems are tied to your place of residence, so the first things are a confirmed address (registration) and your child's personal identifier. It is called differently in different countries: BSN in the Netherlands, NIF in Portugal and Spain, PESEL in Poland, SIN in Canada, EGN in Bulgaria. It is simply a personal number by which state systems “see” a person — without it, it is hard to enrol a child in school or register them with a doctor.

What is worth preparing in advance:

• documents about previous schooling (report card, character reference) — a sworn translation is often required;
• medical certificates and vaccination records;
• birth certificate and a document confirming residence status;
• photos and the completed registration forms of the particular school.

Exact lists, deadlines and forms differ and change — check them against the official website of the local education authority or municipality (current as of 2026), and entrust complex documents to a sworn translator.

Language, clubs and the first week

Language is the main challenge of the first months. Many countries offer preparatory or language classes for children who have just arrived; ask at the school whether such a programme exists and how to get into it. Simple things help at home: basic everyday phrases, objects labelled with stickers, books and cartoons in the language of the country.

Clubs and sport are not an extra burden but the fastest way to make friends outside lessons, where the language is picked up by itself. Look for groups at the school, in the local community or at a municipal centre.

If you need a tutor, a document translator or a child psychologist who speaks Ukrainian, it is convenient to start your search in the catalogue of verified professionals near you.

Everyday life and routine

Find out about the school uniform (where there is one), the list of stationery, how lunches are organised and whether you have to pay for meals or for after-school care. Move the sleep schedule closer to the school one a week or two before the start — a sudden early wake-up is harder than any test. Work out a simple route to school with your child and walk it together, so that the first morning is free of panic. Prices, discounts and payment rules differ between schools and regions, so check the details directly with the institution.

Psychological adjustment

A new class, an unfamiliar language and missing home are a normal reaction, not “something being wrong with the child”. Give it time, keep the usual rituals at home, support the native language and contact with the Ukrainian community. Talk to the class teacher not only about marks but also about how your child is feeling. If anxiety, tears or withdrawal last for weeks, it is worth turning to the school psychologist or a specialist for children; this is care, not “weakness”.

No checklist guarantees a perfect start, but the calm and the presence of parents are already half of a child's success.

On “Свої” you can find Ukrainian translators, tutors and psychologists near you who have already been through this very path in your country.