Jobben
International students from non-EU countries with a residence permit for study purposes are allowed to work 140 full days or 280 half days per year or a combination of both.
They are not allowed to be self-employed or work as freelancers. Exceptions can only be approved by the immigration authority.
Exceptionally, it is possible to work longer than 20 hours per week during the semester if the employment takes place on weekends, in the evenings or at night. However, this only applies if these exceptions last a maximum of 26 weeks or 182 calendar days within a time year (e.g. 15 December 2024 to 14 December 2025). This is called the 26-week rule.
During the lecture-free period, it is possible to work more than 20 hours per week (up to full-time). The 26-week rule is also applied in this case.
Please note: It is mandatory to have health insurance in Germany. All students must provide proof of statutory or private health insurance (including long-term care insurance). Without health insurance, enrolment is not possible. All public health insurance companies offer a student rate.
Marginal employment
- Employment that is intended to be permanent
- Total salary not more than € 556 per month
- Total amount of € 556 per month can be exceeded in case of additional short-term employment
- Several parallel mini-jobs are only allowed if the total monthly wage does not exceed € 556
- The employer is obliged to register the mini-job with the Minijob-Zentrale.
e .g. semester break job
- Employment that is limited to a maximum of three months or 70 working days in a calendar year
- Amount of income does not matter
- Duration must be contractually agreed in advance or limited by type of employment
More than marginally paid employment
- Employment that is intended to be permanent
- Total wage more than € 556 per month
Study must have priority over employment (employment of maximum 20 hours per week)
Employment as Werkstudierende is not possible during vacation semesters, research studies, dual studies. During part-time studies, employment as Werkstudierende is only possible if the studies account for more than half the time of full-time studies.