Working as a student in Germany

Working as a student in Germany
As an international student in Germany, working alongside your studies offers many advantages, including financial independence, practical experience and the opportunity to improve your language skills. However, there are strict regulations that you should be aware of. Below you will find a detailed description and examples to illustrate the most important aspects:
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1. restrictions on working hours
Rules:
- Non-EU students may work a maximum of 120 full days or 240 half days per year.
- A full day corresponds to 8 hours, a half day to 4 hours.
- Work as a student assistant at the university is often not counted towards this limit. However, always clarify this with your employer and the immigration authority.Example:
Maria from Mexico works 8 hours every Saturday during the semester in a café. After 15 weeks, she has worked 120 hours, which corresponds to 15 full days. She can therefore work another 105 full days or 225 half days. - 2. permitted jobs
Rules:
- You can work in various areas, such as:
- Gastronomy: waiter/waitress, barista.
- University jobs: tutor, research assistant.
- Retail: sales clerk in a store.
- Mandatory internships do not generally count towards the working time limit.Example:
Ahmed from Egypt works as a student assistant in the library at his university during the semester and earns 450 euros a month. This work does not count towards his 120/240 days. -
3. financial limitations and taxes
Rules:
- Income up to 520 euros/month is tax-free (so-called mini-job).
- If you earn more than 520 euros/month, taxes and social security contributions are automatically withheld. A tax return at the end of the year makes it possible to reclaim any taxes paid.
- During the semester, you may work a maximum of 20 hours per week in order to retain your student status.Example:
Sara from India works 15 hours a week in a restaurant and earns 700 euros a month. She pays around 14% of her salary for taxes and social security contributions. At the end of the year, she receives around 150 euros back through her tax return. -
4. authorization and duty to inform
Rules:
- For jobs outside the university, permission is sometimes required from the foreigners authority.
- Always inform your foreigners authority if you are unsure.Example:
Ivan from Russia would like to do an internship at a startup. Before he starts, he clarifies with the foreigners authority whether this affects the permitted working hours. -
5. work opportunities during the semester break
Rules:
- You may work up to 40 hours per week during the semester break.
- This is a good opportunity to earn more money and gain work experience.Example:
During the summer semester break, Aisha from Ghana works full-time (40 hours/week) in a call center and earns 3200 euros in two months. -
6. advantages of working as a student
Rules and advantages:
- Financial support: You can partially finance tuition fees, accommodation and living costs yourself.
- Professional networks: Contacts with colleagues and employers improve your chances on the job market.
- Language skills: You will improve your language skills by working in a German-speaking environment.
- Practical experience: You will learn how everyday working life works in Germany.Example:
Carlos from Brazil works in a start-up, where he not only earns money, but also makes valuable contacts for his professional future. His improved language skills will help him to find a job after his studies.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay taxes?
Can I have several jobs at the same time?
Can I register a business and work independently?
How much can I earn on average as a student in Germany?
Are there certain jobs that are offered preferentially to students?
Yes, common jobs for students are:
- Waiter/waitress or barista in restaurants or cafés.
- Temporary staff in libraries or universities.
- Office work in companies.
- Jobs in call centers or customer service.