Working as a Student in Germany (2025 Guide)

Everything You Need to Know About Student Jobs, Pay, Taxes, and Rights

Working part-time during your studies in Germany isn’t just a great way to support yourself financially—it’s also a powerful step toward integrating into life here. Whether you’re helping cover rent, gaining industry experience, or simply looking to meet new people, knowing the rules around student employment is essential.

But between legal work limits, tax thresholds, insurance, and hourly wages, it can get overwhelming fast. That’s where this complete 2025 guide about working as an international student in Germany comes in. We break everything down—clearly, accurately, and with your everyday reality in mind.

Let’s start from the basics.

Student Work Limits in Germany: What’s Legally Allowed?

When you hold a German student visa or residence permit, you're legally allowed to work a limited number of days per year:

• 140 full days
  
• OR 280 half days
  

This might sound strict, but there's nuance.

A half day counts as any work up to 4 hours. If you work more than 4 hours in a day, it’s logged as a full day.

This rule helps ensure your studies remain your primary focus. But Germany also understands that students often need financial and social independence. That’s why some forms of work don’t count toward this limit at all.

What Doesn’t Count Toward the Student Visa or Residence Permit Limit?

• Part-time jobs at universities (e.g., student assistants, tutors in student halls)
  
• Mandatory internships that are required as part of your degree
  
• Internships that are essential to your academic goals, even if not mandatory
  

If you’re unsure whether a job or internship counts against your limit, it’s best to confirm with your university or the local foreigners' office (Ausländerbehörde). Or better yet—VisaFlow can help clarify that for you.

Understanding Your Options: Minijob vs. Working Student (Werkstudent)

There are two main employment categories for students in Germany. Both have benefits—but the one you choose depends on how much you want to earn, how often you want to work, and how it fits with your studies.

Minijob: Low Commitment, Low Tax Complexity

Minijobs are ideal for students who want flexible work without dealing with taxes or complex paperwork.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Monthly earnings cap: €556 (as of 2025)
  
• Minimum wage: €12.82/hour
  
• Approx. 43 hours/month at minimum wage
  
• No income tax deducted from your paycheck
  
• Pension contributions are mandatory—unless you opt out in writing
  
• You are exempt from paying health, unemployment, and long-term care insurance via your employer
  
• You must have your own student health insurance
  

This setup is popular in industries like retail, food service, and delivery—jobs that fit easily around student schedules.

Werkstudent: More Hours, More Pay (and More Responsibility)

If you’re aiming for higher income or want to work in your field of study, a Werkstudent position is a common route as well.

Key regulations:

• Up to 20 hours per week during the semester
  
• Up to 40 hours/week during breaks
  
• Must not exceed 26 weeks per year working more than 20 hours/week
  

As a Werkstudent, you:

• Pay income tax on your monthly income (However, if your annual income exceeds €12,096 (as of 2025) you can get it back by filing a tax return at the end of the year.)
  
• Are exempt from employer-paid health, unemployment, and care insurance
  
• Must have your own student health insurance
  

These jobs typically pay more than Minijobs—often between €14–€20/hour—and look great on your CV, especially if they are in the field of your studies. 

Your Rights as a Student Worker: Wages, Hours, and Breaks

You deserve to be treated fairly at work. That means getting paid on time, being allowed proper breaks, and not working excessive hours. German labor laws cover you extensively—even as a student.

The 2025 Minimum Wage

The statutory minimum wage is €12.82/hour in 2025. This is the absolute minimum any employer is allowed to pay, including for Minijobs and internships (in many cases).

But many student roles pay more. According to Stepstone, the average hourly rate for working students is around €18.

If you’re being offered less than the legal minimum, that’s a red flag—and you should walk away or report it, especially if they pay you in cash as this could endanger your visa or student residence permit as well.

Working Hours and Legal Limits

As an employee in Germany:

• The standard workday is 8 hours
  
• It can be extended to 10 hours/day, but only for short periods
  
• You must have 11 hours of rest between two work shifts
  

These laws exist to protect your mental and physical health.

Breaks: You Need Them—And You’re Entitled to Them

Break regulations are equally important:

• 30-minute unpaid break for shifts between 6 and 9 hours
  
• 45-minute unpaid break for shifts over 9 hours
  
• Breaks must happen within the first 6 hours of your shift
  
• Breaks can’t be saved until the end of the shift to leave early
  

Employers must give you your full break entitlement. These aren't optional.

Where Can You Find Student Jobs in Germany?

You’ve got options—both online and offline. While some students find jobs through word of mouth or bulletin boards, most use digital platforms.

Here are trusted places to start your search:

• Indeed.de
  
• Stepstone.de
  
• LinkedIn
  
• StudentJob.de
  
• Monster.de
  
• University job boards like Stellenwerk.de or Stellenticket.de
  

Pro Tip: When applying, tailor your CV and motivation letter to each job. And don’t hesitate to apply in English—many student jobs, especially in startups or academia, don’t require fluent German.

Holidays and Paid Vacation: What Are You Entitled To?

Even as a student, you have the right to paid vacation in Germany. However, the vacation entitlement depends on how many working days the employee has in the week. For example, a 5-day week entitles the employee to 20 days' vacation and a 6-day week entitles the employee to 24 days' vacation. You can find an exact breakdown here:

• Work 1 day/week → 4 vacation days/year
  
• Work 2 days/week → 8 days/year
  
• Work 5 days/week → 20 days/year
  
• Work 6 days/week → 24 days/year
  

Some companies even offer additional paid leave as a corporate benefit, which is usually stipulated in your work contract.

Sick Pay and Absences: What Happens If You Get Sick?

Even the most organized and hardworking person gets sick—and when you’re living in a new country, that can be stressful. What happens to your job if you’re too unwell to work? Will you still get paid? Do you need to inform your employer right away?

The reassuring answer is: Germany has a clear and fair system when it comes to sick leave, and that includes part-time student workers. You’re protected by labor law from the first day of your employment, and employers are legally obligated to follow the rules.

Whether you’ve caught a cold, need a few days off to recover from burnout, or have a more serious health issue, here’s what you need to know about your sick leave rights in Germany—so you can focus on getting better, not worrying about paperwork.

• You’re entitled to 100% of your wages for up to 6 weeks of illness
  
• Most employers require a doctor’s note only after 3 consecutive days of absence (but some may ask for it sooner)
  

If you’re unsure, review your contract or ask HR what the policy is.

Taxes: What You Pay—and What You Can Reclaim

When you start working in Germany as a student, taxes might not be the first thing on your mind—but they quickly become part of your reality. Understanding how taxes work can help you avoid surprises, make the most of your earnings, and even get some money back at the end of the year.

The good news? Germany’s tax system is structured and transparent, and as a student, you benefit from several special rules designed to keep things manageable. Depending on how much you earn and what type of job you have (Minijob or Werkstudent), your tax obligations can range from none at all to minor deductions that you can often reclaim later.

Here’s what you need to know about how student taxes work in Germany—so you can stay compliant, keep control of your finances, and avoid unnecessary stress. Let’s break it down by job type.

If You Have a Minijob

• No income tax is deducted
  
• Your employer pays a flat-rate contribution
  
• Pension contributions apply unless you opt out
  

Simple and low-stress.

If You Are a Werkstudent

• Income tax is deducted if you earn more than €12,096/year
  
• If your income is under the threshold, you can file a tax return to reclaim overpaid tax
  
• You’ll receive a monthly payslip detailing:
  
  • Your gross income
    
  • Taxes and deductions
    
  • Your net (take-home) pay
    

Keep these payslips—they’re useful for tax filing and residence permit renewals, as they show that you can financially support yourself.

Internships in Germany: Paid or Unpaid?

Internships are a major part of student life in Germany, and there are two categories:

1. Mandatory Internships

• Required by your university or degree program
  
• Often unpaid
  
• Do not count toward your 140-day work limit
  
• Offer fewer legal protections
  

2. Voluntary Internships

• Not required by your studies
  
• Must be paid the legal minimum wage if longer than 3 months
  
• If under 3 months, they may be unpaid—but most still offer some form of compensation
  

Internships that exceed 3 months must pay at least €12.82/hour from day one. If you're unsure what category your internship falls into, check your study regulations or ask your academic advisor.

Can You Work While Waiting for Your Residence Permit?

Yes—if you’ve received a Fictional Certificate (Fiktionsbescheinigung) after applying to extend your visa or permit, this document usually states whether you're allowed to work.

Most employers are familiar with this document and accept it—especially for student jobs.

Can You Work Freelance as a Student?

Yes, but only with special permission. Working as a freelancer while holding a student residence permit in Germany is possible—but it’s not automatic. You’ll need to follow specific steps to stay compliant with legal regulations.

To work as a freelancer while holding a student visa, you must:

• Apply for authorization at your local immigration office
  
• Prove that your freelance work won’t interfere with your studies
  
• Ensure your student status remains your primary purpose for being in Germany
  

This pathway is often pursued by students doing creative work, private tutoring, IT services, or digital freelance gigs.

However, approval isn’t guaranteed—it depends heavily on how well you prepare your case.

At VisaFlow, we’ve helped dozens of international students successfully apply for this special permission. We can support you in:

• Preparing the necessary documents
  
• Structuring your freelance business plan for the Ausländerbehörde
  
• Demonstrating compliance with student visa requirements
  
• Communicating your case clearly to officials
  

If you’re thinking about going freelance, VisaFlow can help you do it right, safely, and with confidence.

Contracts, Termination, and Your Rights as a Student Employee

Entering into an employment agreement in Germany means entering into a legally binding relationship—with responsibilities for both you and your employer. It’s important to understand what you’re signing, what your rights are, and how to end a job properly if the need arises.

Fixed-Term Contracts: What They Mean for You

Most student jobs in Germany are offered under a fixed-term contract (befristeter Arbeitsvertrag). This means your job automatically ends on a specific date, or once a particular project or purpose is fulfilled. There’s no need for a separate resignation or dismissal process when the contract expires—it's simply over.

But there’s a catch.

Not all fixed-term contracts allow for early termination. In other words, unless it's stated in your contract that you can quit with notice, you may be legally bound to stay until the end date, even if you’ve found a better opportunity or your academic workload becomes too much.

Always check for these key details:

• Is early termination permitted?
  
• What’s the notice period (Kündigungsfrist)?
  
• Is a probationary period (Probezeit) included—and does it come with special termination rules?
  

If you're unsure how to interpret the legal terms in your contract, VisaFlow can help you review and understand your rights before you sign.

Terminating a Job Properly: The Right Way to Resign

If your contract does allow early resignation—or if you’re employed without a fixed term—you need to follow specific steps to resign properly under German labor law.

Here’s how to do it the right (and legal) way:

• Email is not considered legally valid for terminating a contract. This is one of the most common mistakes students make.
  
• You must submit your resignation in writing—on paper, with your signature.
  
• Deliver the letter in person, and ask your employer to confirm receipt in writing (for example, by signing a copy of the letter),
  OR
  Send the letter via registered post (Einschreiben mit Rückschein), so you have proof that it was delivered and when.
  
• Ideally, if you deliver it in person, bring a witness—someone who can later confirm that your notice was submitted correctly.
  

Also, pay attention to the notice period—typically two to four weeks, unless your contract says otherwise. This is the time between when you hand in your resignation and your actual last working day.

Failing to follow the legal process could lead to consequences, such as withheld final pay, negative references.

Final Thoughts: A Smarter Way to Work While Studying

Working in Germany as an international student can be a fantastic experience—personally and professionally. But you also need to know your rights, understand your limitations, and avoid missteps that could affect your visa or academic standing.