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Looking forward to Study and Work in Germany? Here is what you need to know!

Non-EU/EEA students are also able to work in Germany alongside their studies, for 120 full days or 240 half days per year. If you take a job as a student assistant or research assistant at your university, this is usually not counted in your limit. You must notify the Alien Registration Office if you take up this type of work.

If you take an internship during your semester break, this is regarded as normal work, even if it’s unpaid. This means that every day of your internship is subtracted from your 120-day credit balance. However, mandatory internships which are required for your course do not count towards your limit.

Note that non-EU students are not permitted to work in a self-employed or freelance capacity.

Students in Germany can earn up to €450 (~US$491) per month tax-free. If you earn more than this, you will receive an income tax number and have automatic tax deductions from your salary. Some employers may withhold income tax despite the low income, but you can reclaim this after submitting your income tax statement.

To find work, it’s very useful if you have a good knowledge of the German language and/or have completed an internship during your studies. If you’re studying a language or a preparatory course (Studienkolleg) the requirements are stricter. You can only work in lecture-free periods and only with the consent of the Federal Employment Agency and the foreigners’ authority.

Student Jobs

The introduction to working as a student in Germany

For starters, don’t worry about working while studying. It’s totally routine in Germany, especially among international students, and there should be plenty of opportunities to consider.

Some of the most common student jobs in Germany

Here are just a few part-time student jobs that are often available to foreign residents:

Catering – Whether it involves serving food at corporate functions, or just joining the waiting staff at a local restaurant, the food and drink sector is a major student employer.

Academic posts – Possibly the best form of work for aspiring academics, research assistant roles and postgraduate teaching positions can build your skills and income at the same time.

Retail – Germany’s bricks and mortar retail sector is often crying out for staff, with flexible hours and discounts available as attractive perks.

Is it easy to get a part-time job in Germany?

It’s generally very easy to find employment, but you might have to seek out exactly the right location, wages, and position. It’s also important to choose a type of job to fit around your studies.

Rules for working students

As usual in Germany, there are set rules about how students can work. They are important to know, as making a mistake can increase your insurance and tax bills considerably.

Can I work while studying in Germany?

Studying and working is perfectly OK in Germany. However, there will be limits to how many hours you can work before being required to pay full insurance contributions.

Are international students allowed to work in Germany?

International students have their own employment regulations, which govern how long they can work before their taxes rise.

For EU nationals, the limit is 20 hours per week during term times. Those coming from outside the EU are also limited to either 120 full days, or 240 half days every year, whether that’s in term or during vacations.

The difference between full & half days

In this context, it’s important to know the difference between full and half days, so here are a couple of key pieces of information to file away

How many hours constitute a full-time job?

In Germany, a “full day” is defined as 8 hours, with full working weeks comprising 40 hours. This means that students can work 2.5 full days per week during term-time. Outside term-time, full-time work is perfectly fine, just remember the annual total.

How many hours constitute a part-time job?

Under German law, anything under the definition of a “full week” is defined as part-time. So, if you work under 20 hours per week, that’s classified as part-time.

How many days can a student work in Germany?

Student trainee positions (or as Germans call it the Praktikum) are a vital part of entering the German employment market.

If you take this route, you’ll need a working visa from a local German embassy. It’s also essential to obtain permission to start a trainee position from the Federal Employment Agency, so don’t forget to do the necessary paperwork.

Internships are assessed like regular jobs when it comes to tax and hours. This applies to paid and unpaid trainee positions so it may be wise to save a bit of money before starting your internship.

Finding a Student Job

Finding a job shouldn’t be too difficult, with plenty of positions in most parts of Germany (as well as online jobs for students)

How to find student jobs in Germany?

The place to start is your regional Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Employment Agency), which will have a section dedicated to student positions.

When seeking an internal position within your university, it’s probably better to inquire with the HR office, or your faculty secretary. There should also be an online list of open positions.

If you are looking for a side job near your accommodation or university, online sites like appjobs or Young Capital feature up to date listings.

What is a good salary for a student job in Germany?

Be aware that minimum wage regulations apply (around €9.5 per hour). In higher-skilled student positions, the pay ranges from 11-20 € per hour. Catering and cafe work will pay somewhere around the minimum.

There are no minimum payment regulations for online work. It’s a good supplement for studying, and one that many students can’t do without.

Payment, Taxes and Health insurance

When students take work in Germany, they need to be aware of how it could affect their health insurance and tax position

How much money can a student earn in Germany?

If students work more than 20 hours a week, they risk breaching annual limits (120 full days and 240 half days). There is also a monthly income limit of €450. Above that point, you will need to pay standard German taxes, while income below €450 is tax-free.

Working too many hours can lead to students losing their health insurance subsidies. For instance, if you are insured with TK, you will be able to earn €435 per month. Above that point, contributions for long-term nursing care and social security kick in, adding a significant amount to annual bills.

Can a student work more than 20 hours a week in Germany?

There are some exceptions. Most importantly, academic jobs are categorized differently. If you take a student assistant role within your university or college, this won’t count towards your 120-day quota – a big help for many young researchers.

If you take an internship while being registered with an insurer, don’t worry about losing your subsidized coverage. It will last until your student registration lapses, by which point you should be a fully-fledged employee.