Between Regulation and Freedom of Choice: Home Education in the Countries of the European Union – a Comparative Study
Between Regulation and Freedom of Choice: Home Education in the Countries of the European Union – a Comparative Study

Summary/Abstract: Home education, as an alternative to compulsory schooling, is present in nearly all European countries; however, its definitions and legal frameworks vary significantly across national contexts. Research Aim: This article aims to compare the legal regulations that determine the possibilities and modes of implementing home education, to examine the degree of state control, and to classify European Union member states according to specified regulatory categories. Method: The study employs a qualitative comparative analysis of legal regulations concerning home education in 27 EU countries. The analysis draws on data from the Eurydice report and supplementary national documents. Based on these sources, the levels of state oversight and the diversity of home education models were identified. Results: The results reveal substantial differences in how home education is defined, regulated, and monitored. Four categories of regulatory intensity were distinguished: high, moderate, low, and no regulation. The study also identifies countries situated at the boundaries of these categories, where educational policies are either inconsistent or subject to dynamic legislative changes. Conclusion: The findings indicate that while some countries impose highly restrictive regulations limiting home education to exceptional circumstances, others grant parents considerable autonomy in designing and implementing educational programmes. The analysis highlights significant variation in legal frameworks and in the availability of home education as an alternative means of fulfilling compulsory schooling. In several EU countries, particularly Belgium (Flanders) and Poland, a marked increase in the number of home-educated students has been observed, reflecting broader post-pandemic trends and growing parental interest in alternative forms of education.

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