Working as a student in Germany: rules, job types & salaries

Considering working part-time alongside your studies? Or curious about an internship related to your course? Whether it’s to earn some extra pocket money or improve your career skill set, working as a student in Germany is common – and there are plenty of opportunities to get stuck into.

In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about student jobs in Germany, including what types of jobs you can do, work regulations for students, tax implications, social security and a whole lot more. Let’s get straight into it!

TL;DR: German nationals and EU/EEA/Swiss students are capped at 20 hours per week during term time, while those outside the EU/EEA can work 140 full days or 280 half days per year. Popular sectors for student jobs include retail, hospitality and office work, and there are special types of contracts like ‘Minijob’, ‘HiWi’ and ‘Werkstudent’ that fit conveniently around student schedules.

Regulations for working students 🧑‍🎓

What are the regulations around working hours for students? Well, that depends on where you’re from – specifically, whether you’re a German or EU/EEA student, or if you’re an international student from outside the EU/EEA.

German & EU/EEA students

If you’re a local German student or from elsewhere in the EU/EEA (or Switzerland), you can work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during holidays. Essentially, you have the same rights to work as German students and don’t need a separate work permit to get a job.

It’s really important not to exceed the 20-hour limit during term time, as doing so can jeopardise your student status and require you to pay full employee social security contributions – so be sure to track your hours carefully!

Non-EU/EEA students

If you’re from outside the EU/EEA, you can also work 20 hours per week during term time and full-time in the holidays. However, you’re capped at 140 full days or 280 half days per year. 

A half day is four hours of work, while anything over four hours counts as a full day – again, make sure to track these carefully! There are a couple of exemptions, though, as mandatory internships and campus (HiWi) jobs do not count towards the limit.

Types of student jobs ☕

So, how do you choose what job to do? Familiarising yourself with the different types of contractual classifications in Germany is a good place to start. Each comes with its own rules on working hours, tax and social security, and there are some that are especially suited to students.

Mini-jobs

A mini-job (Minijob) in Germany is a form of short-term, flexible employment popular among students. Think of it as a classic part-time job that you do to earn some extra money on the side, rather than something tied directly to your degree.

Mini-jobs either have a monthly earnings limit of €633, or have no earnings limit but are capped at 70 working days per year. One of the main perks is that they’re exempt from income tax and social security, so you take home every euro you earn from the job.

Working student jobs

Working student (Werkstudent) jobs are another type of paid part-time work, but unlike mini-jobs, they’re usually related to your area of study. They typically pay more and are also exempt from social security, but you do have to pay a statutory pension insurance contribution.

Working hours follow the same rules for other student jobs: 20 hours per week in term time, full-time during holidays and 140 full days per year for non-EU students. You’ll find working student roles in fields like tech, finance and engineering, so they’re great for building proper career experience.

Internships

Internships (Praktikum) are another excellent option for developing skills and experience in a professional work environment. Internships in Germany can be either a mandatory part of your degree (Pflichtpraktikum), or something voluntary you choose to do independently (freiwilliges Praktikum).

This distinction matters for international students: mandatory internships don’t count towards the annual work-day limit, while voluntary internships do. Pay rates vary by sector and are at the discretion of the employer, but with voluntary internships that last longer than three months, they’re obligated to pay at least the minimum wage.

Campus jobs

Many universities in Germany offer campus or student assistant (HiWi) jobs, where students can help out with research, teaching, administration or other academic projects. So they’re definitely worth considering if you’re looking for educational experience. 

Pay and hours vary by university, but they often follow a flexible schedule. And since they’re based on campus where students are already spending most of their time, they’re great for managing around deadlines. 

Standard part-time employment

If you earn above the mini-job limit or don’t meet the conditions of a working student role, your job may fall under a standard part-time employment (Sozialversicherungspflichtige Beschäftigung) contract.

This means you’ll generally have to pay social security contributions towards health insurance, nursing care and pension insurance, so it’s worth weighing up against a mini-job to see what pays more after the deductions.

Popular sectors for student jobs 🍴

So, what are the top sectors for student jobs? And what is a typical wage? Well, the statutory minimum wage for students working in Germany is €13.90 gross per hour, so you can expect this at the very least, though some sectors will often pay more.

The table below compares the most popular sectors for student work in Germany so you can decide what’s best for you:

Taxes, social security & admin 💰

While you may already have a firm idea of the kind of work you’d like to do, understanding the paperwork that comes with it can feel confusing at first – especially if it’s your first time working, or you’re new to Germany as an international student.

But it’s worth sorting things like your tax ID and social security as early as possible, as prepping now will save you headaches later on (and make sure you get paid on time!). Below, we cover everything to be aware of when registering with an employer.

Tax ID & address registration

When you register your address in Germany, you’re automatically assigned a tax identification number (Steuer-ID), which any employer you work with will need to handle payroll.

It’s therefore essential that you’ve gone through the process of registering your address (Anmeldung) before starting a new job so that you have your tax ID ready to share. Without it, your employer won’t be able to pay you.

Social security card

Your employer will also need your unique social security number (Versicherungsnummer) so they can register you and make sure your social security contributions are set up. You’ll find this number on your social security confirmation letter or card.

If you haven’t already been registered for social security in Germany, your employer will usually do this for you during the onboarding process of your very first job, where you’ll need to select a public health insurance provider.

Tax returns

Tax can feel daunting, but in most cases, you won't need to worry about it. The annual tax-free allowance in Germany is €12,348, which exceeds the annual salary for the majority of working students.

If your wage slips deduct tax for a particular month where you worked more hours than usual, but you end up earning less than €12,348 across the year, you can claim that money back by filing a tax return (Steuererklärung).

Undeclared work

Undeclared work (Schwarzarbeit) in Germany refers to any paid employment not registered with the social security authorities or the tax office. In practice, this could be getting paid solely in cash or working a job that doesn’t give you a proper contract or payslip.

If you’re judged to be doing undeclared work, you’ll have to pay back any missed tax or social security contributions retroactively. For international students, this can even put your student visa and residence permit at risk.

The 140-day working limit

Another important piece of advice for international students: keep track of your permitted working days and make sure you don’t accidentally go over the 140-day limit, as doing so can again put your residence status at risk.

You’re also advised to keep the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) updated on any significant changes to your work, such as changing employers, moving into a different type of employment or significantly increasing your working hours.

Finding a job 💼

Navigating the job market for the first time might feel daunting, but there are plenty of exciting job opportunities available if you know where to look! We’d recommend checking out:

• Job boards like Zenjob and the government portal for mini-jobs
• Platforms like Jobmensa or LinkedIn for working student jobs
• Platforms like Indeed and MeinPraktikum for internships
• Your university's careers portal and local student union for campus jobs
• Employer careers pages
• Job fairs and university careers events

Language requirements

You may be surprised to learn that you don’t always need to be fluent in German to get a job, which is good news if you’re an international student still getting to grips with the language. In bigger cities with large international companies, you’ll often find English-speaking roles in areas like tech and consulting.

For most roles, though, you’ll need B1 or B2 German, especially in sectors like hospitality and retail, where you’ll be dealing with customers day-to-day. 

Application tips

When it comes to your job search, make sure to tailor your CV to the role and provide clear examples of your skills from your academic work or other jobs in cover letters and interviews. Make sure to match the language of the post in your application, whether that’s English or German.

Networking is a big thing at many German universities, so make the most of career fairs, employer events and even conversations with lecturers to put yourself forward for any opportunities that come up.

After graduation: job search & staying on 🎓

Finished your degree and are wondering what's next? Graduating doesn’t necessarily mean packing your bags and leaving the city straight away. Plus, if you’re an international student and want to stay and start your career in Germany, there are lots of dedicated options for making the transition.

Job-seeker residence permit

International students from outside the EU/EEA who are looking to work in Germany after graduating can apply for a job-seeker residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Arbeitsplatzsuche), which gives you up to 18 months to find qualified employment. 

During this window, you’re allowed to work in any type of job, so you can support yourself with part-time work while looking for an industry-related role that will allow you to transition to a qualified professional visa.

From working student to full-time employee

One of the biggest advantages of a working student job? It can get your foot in the door with a company before you’ve even graduated, as you’ve already built up experience, relationships and knowledge of the workplace.

Many employers offer graduate jobs to working students who have impressed during their time at the company, giving you the security of a full-time job ready to take on after completing your studies.

EU Blue Card and long-term settlement

For international students interested in eventually settling in Germany, the EU Blue Card is well worth looking into. It’s a residence permit for highly qualified non-EU workers who have a recognised university degree and an offer for a qualifying job.

The required salary threshold is typically higher than most graduate jobs, but the card comes with many benefits: it gives you the right to live and work in Germany and can also provide a faster route to permanent settlement.

Looking for student accommodation? 🏢

From mini-jobs and campus work to internships and working student roles, Germany has a wealth of working opportunities for students. Whatever job you’re looking for, you always need a comfortable and secure place to call home at the end of the day…

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, Yugo offers a wide range of student accommodation across Germany. Explore our residences in cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt and find the perfect base for balancing work and university today.