Study and work in Germany as an international student

Study and work in Germany: working alongside studies became easier than ever before. There are some rules you need to remember.

Marle

4 minute read

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Updated on 13 Aug 2024

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Studying

There are plenty of companies in Germany that offer attractive student jobs in Germany for (international) students. Even universities provide ample work for students alongside their studies.

We'll show you how to combine work and study in Germany and explain the working hours that apply to students, what the salary limit is, and how you can work on a German student visa.

In general, as an international student, you are free to take up student jobs in Germany. Any person holding a work visa or residence permit is entitled to work in Germany.

But there are also rules regarding how much you can work becuase there's a strong emphasis on the idea that students should be able to dedicate their time to study.

For this reason, there are rules for working students in Germany. For instance, there's an upper limit on the number of working hours and on the salary that students can earn. Let’s walk you through this!

International students, like German students, are entitled to work up to 20 hours per week alongside their studies. On top of that, this limit is lifted during the university holidays, allowing you to work full-time as a working student!

But there is a slight difference in the working hours between students from the EU/EEA and students from outside the EU.

EU/EEA students

Working students in Germany from the EU/EEA (i.e. including students from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during their studies.

This means you can work up to 2.5 days a week. You could work more than 20 hours per week as a student if you're okay with the consequences. Once you work more than 20 hours per week, you'll be obliged to pay higher social security contributions, such as health insurance.

Non-EU students

As a non-EU student, you're free to work alongside your studies with your German student visa! In this case, you still can work up to 20 hours a week. However, there are more limitations. You can work up to 140 working days or 280 half days per year. Wondering what is full and half days? A full day means 8 hours a day for a 40-hour work-week.

Keep in mind that a voluntary internship - even if it is unpaid - also counts into your balance. However, the situation looks different when an internship is a compulsory part of your studies; here, you won't lose any of your balance.

There are a handful of exceptions you need to keep in mind before you hop onto your opportunity as a working student in Germany though. For instance, when you take on a part-time job for students in Germany at your university, such as as a student/ research assistant, this won't affect your permitted number of working days. Just remember to register your work as a student assistant with the Alien Registration Office.

Coming to Germany as a student for a language or preparation course? Then there's unfortunately bad news for you as rules are a little more restrictive here. You’re only allowed to work if you're on holiday and have received a certificate from the Aliens' Registration Office and the Employment Agency.

The maximum salary working students in Germany can earn is €538. This will help you avoid paying taxes or social security contributions.

The moment you exceed this upper limit, you will no longer be treated as a working student in Germany but rather as an employee.

So, once your salary surpasses €538, you'll be issued a tax identification number and contributions and taxes will be deducted from your salary.

Good to know: in case you choose to cross the €538 limit per month, you could try to reclaim the taxes and social security contributions by filing your tax declaration at the end of the year. But in most cases, it’s not worth the hassle to cross the limit.

Best is to simply do your math to find out whether you can and want to afford social security contributions like any other employee or whether you prefer to keep your working hours and salary within the given limits to avoid unnecessary costs - and truly enjoy your student life before diving into the working world.

So, you made up your mind to work and study in Germany? Then pick up all your enthusiasm and start your hunt for a student job in Germany. Whether it's a summer job in Germany or a part-time job for students in Germany: the choice is yours.

Many students opt for classic student jobs in Germany, such as waitressing in a restaurant, delivering food on a bicycle or stocking shelves in your local supermarket. Try walking through the neighbourhood with your eyes open and look out for signs hanging in the windows of shops looking for staff. Found the right shop? Then go to the shop for your student job and introduce yourself.

But why don't you use your student know-how to work in your field of study alongside your studies? Many large companies are looking for working students in Germany to take on time-consuming tasks such as preparing analyses to take a burden off their shoulders. What's more, you can already dive into professional practice at a good salary.

But where do you find student jobs in Germany? Off-campus student jobs in Germany are best found via these portals:

• Studentenjob (Select your city and filter under Languages to English)
• LinkedIn
• Jobboerse (provided by the Federal Employment Agency)
• Glassdoor

Do you have a company in mind? Then apply directly on their career page.

Would you rather give your university a helping hand as a student? As a library supervisor, literature researcher or tutorial assistant, your university could offer you a range of opportunities. The best way to find out is to look here:

• University Career Centers
• University Bulletin Board
• Get directly in touch with your professor!

Do you want to settle down in Germany and find a job in Germany after graduation? There's good news!

After graduation, international students in Germany can extend their residence permit by 18 months. This will allow you to look for jobs and even start working in Germany. To be elgigible, you must be able to show proof of completing your degree, health insurance coverage in Germany, and proof of sufficient finances to support yourself during your stay.

Once you've found a job, you need to switch over to the appropriate residence permit.