How to Find a Job as a Student in Germany

Part-time work during studies is a great way to cover everyday expenses such as food, rent, and leisure, as well as an important first step toward integrating into local life. Having a job helps students build social connections and improve their language skills and cultural understanding.

International students in Germany cannot simply take on full-time employment — doing so may result in the loss of the student status. In this article, we’ll discuss the relevant legal rules, outline the most common student jobs in Germany, provide resources where to find vacancies, and describe how hiring and termination work in practice.

Previously, we wrote about medical insurance in Germany for migrants and about salary statistics.

If you hold a German student visa or a residence permit, you are allowed to work:

A half working day equals up to 4 hours. If you work more than that, the day is counted as a full working day. This rule exists to ensure that studying remains the student’s main priority, while still allowing a certain level of financial independence. Some types of work are not counted toward this limit.

If you are unsure whether a particular job or internship counts toward the allowed limit, it is best to clarify this with your university or with the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde).

What jobs can students do in Germany? Formally, there are no strict restrictions on the type of work students may do, but the legal limits on working time must be respected. Not all employers are willing to hire young candidates without prior experience or a completed degree. In practice, a four-hour shift often fits jobs such as courier work, call center operator, tutor, or remote-friendly roles like graphic designer or copywriter.

Key legislative changes in 2025 include:

Only full-time university students (on-campus programs) are allowed to work during the semester. If a foreign student is enrolled in preparatory language courses or a college program, part-time work is permitted only during academic breaks, otherwise there is a risk of violating visa conditions.

This is the most popular employment format among students. It is tax-free and does not require employee contributions to the social security system. Mini-jobs are ideal for those seeking a flexible schedule and minimal interaction with German bureaucracy.

Such positions are common in hospitality and hotels, retail, delivery services, temporary or seasonal roles in companies.

These formats are well suited for students who want to gain professional experience related to their field of study. HiWi (Hilfswissenschaftler) refers to student employment within a university, such as assisting with research, tutoring, or programming. Werkstudent positions are offered by private companies and are directly related to the student’s academic specialization.

During the semester, students may work up to 20 hours per week. This limit can be exceeded during semester breaks. Students are exempt from social and health insurance contributions but must pay into the pension system.

These positions usually pay more than mini-jobs (€14–20 per hour) and significantly strengthen a CV, especially when the role aligns with the student’s field of study.

Students earning within this range fall into a special employment category. This option suits those looking for more stable and better-paid roles, for example in academic assistance or administrative positions.

In this case, employees are required to pay social security contributions. Initially, the contribution rate is reduced and gradually increases in proportion to income.

To retain student status, the 20-hour weekly working limit during the semester still applies.

Some students choose self-employment in areas such as copywriting, web design, or social media management. The main advantages are flexibility and the ability to choose projects and workload independently. However, freelancers are fully responsible for handling their own taxes and insurance contributions.

Mandatory internships are often unpaid but provide valuable professional experience. Voluntary internships may be paid and are considered formal employment.

Employers are required to pay social security contributions for interns in the same way as for regular employees.

All internships are treated as official employment regardless of whether they are paid. If internship-related work exceeds the 120/240-day limit, the student must obtain a work permit. This permit is issued for a maximum of two years, provided that the internship enhances professional qualifications relevant to the labor market in the student’s country of origin.

Many companies now offer hybrid internships, allowing students to combine remote work with office-based tasks.

The options available to students are largely the same as for adults — both online and offline. Some students find jobs through personal recommendations or via notice boards at their university or student dormitory.

You can start your search on well-established platforms such as:

It is also worth joining Facebook groups for international students, where job offers are frequently posted. Always keep the legal working-hour limits in mind.

Tip: when applying, tailor your CV and cover letter to each vacancy. Do not hesitate to submit applications in English — many student jobs, especially in startups or academic environments, do not require fluent German.

To take up part-time work, you must have a valid residence permit or an EU Blue Card. In addition, the following documents are required:

A separate work permit is not required. However, if you exceed the 120/240-day limit, you will need to apply for authorization at the local immigration office. When calculating working time, keep in mind that any shift exceeding 4 hours counts as a full working day.

Students are allowed to work as freelancers only with special permission. To comply with legal requirements, several steps must be completed.

This form of income is most commonly chosen by students engaged in creative professions, private tutoring, or IT services. Approval is not guaranteed — the better prepared you are for discussions with immigration officials, the higher your chances of receiving a positive decision.

Like full-time employees, students are entitled to fair and lawful working conditions. This includes timely payment of wages, adequate breaks, and protection from excessive workloads. German labor law provides strong employee protections — if your rights are violated, you can contact the relevant authorities.

According to Stepstone, the average hourly wage for students in Germany is €14 per hour. Keep in mind that the statutory minimum wage is €12.82 per hour. If an employer offers pay below this threshold, you should refuse the offer and/or report the violation.

The standard working day in Germany is 8 hours. There must be at least 11 hours of rest between work shifts. Employees are also entitled to breaks:

Since students often work 4-hour shifts, break requirements should be clarified directly with the employer. Students are also entitled to paid vacation, which depends on the number of working days per week:

Vacation entitlement does not depend on the number of hours worked per day — the employer is required to grant leave accordingly.

When signing an employment contract, carefully review the key terms:

If a student is unsure how to interpret the legal terms of a contract, it is advisable to consult a legal professional or reach out to organizations and agencies that support international students.

Most student jobs in Germany are offered under a fixed-term employment contract (Befristeter Arbeitsvertrag). This means that employment ends on a specified date or once a particular project or objective is completed. In such cases, no separate resignation procedure is required — the contract simply expires.

However, not all fixed-term contracts allow early termination. If the contract does not explicitly state that the student may resign with notice, there is a possibility that the employee is legally required to remain in the position until the contract end date, even if a better job offer appears or academic workload increases.

If the employment contract allows early termination, or if it is an open-ended contract without a fixed end date, resignation must follow German labor law requirements.

The contract may specify a notice period, usually 2 to 4 weeks. This period starts from the moment the resignation is submitted and ends on the employee’s final working day.

Failure to follow the proper legal procedure may lead to negative consequences, such as delays in the payment of the final salary or unfavorable references.

University studies eventually come to an end — unless you plan to continue with a master’s or doctorate program. International graduates of German universities are eligible to apply for a job-seeking visa (a residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment) after completing their studies.

This residence permit allows graduates to remain in Germany for up to 18 months in order to find qualified employment related to their field of study. During this period, you may work without restrictions to support yourself while searching for a suitable position.

Once you secure a job, you are required to switch to a work-based residence permit (such as an EU Blue Card or another employment residence title). If employment is not obtained by the end of the 18-month period, the graduate must leave Germany.

Most students take part-time jobs primarily to cover their personal expenses, but sometimes they also send money abroad to friends or relatives as a gift or financial support. One of the key factors when choosing a money transfer service is a low fee — which is exactly what the Korona app offers for transfers from Europe.

With the Korona app, you can send money to 60+ countries worldwide. The process is simple, convenient, and fast — funds are often available to the recipient almost instantly. The app is available for download on App Store and Google Play.

On our blog, we regularly share useful information about life and work in Europe. If this topic is relevant to you, feel free to explore other articles about Germany or studying in other EU countries in our article catalog.