Overview

• The Freiburger Verwaltungsgericht ruled on April 16, 2025, that children must attend school swimming lessons despite objections based on religious beliefs.
• The plaintiffs, a couple from the Palmarian Church, argued that swimming lessons violated their strict religious dress codes and beliefs.
• The court's detailed written judgment will be released in approximately two weeks, with a one-month window for the couple to appeal the decision.
• If appealed, the case could escalate to the Verwaltungsgerichtshof Baden-Württemberg in Mannheim for further review.
• This case highlights the ongoing tension between religious freedoms and the state's educational mandates, echoing past legal disputes over religious exemptions in schools.