Work in Germany

International students who study in German universities are permitted to work up to 20 hours a week, but if they work more than this, they are supposed to pay into the German social security system.

 Working for so long hours might reflect negatively on students’ studies. Also, international students – Non–EU / EEA- have the permission to work while studying for 120 full days or 240 half days a year.

German job market is entirely open in front of graduates from EU and EEA. At the same time, the German job market is also open to international students graduating successfully from any German institution.

International students might be paid up to EUR 500 per month without having to pay taxes to the local authorities. If students on a mini-job basis earn a fixed wage a month, they will be paid up to EUR 6000 per year.

 For international students, an annual tax exemption limit is in place to support them while studying, and they must be aware of bad consequences if they work more than definite times clarified by the law; this may risk violating annual thresholds (120 half days and 240 full days).

EUR 500 is a monthly salary that is exempted from taxes, but above this rate international students will be supposed to pay taxes approved by local authorities; whereas, salary below EUR 500 is a tax- exempt.

Important Conditions

International students who want to work more than the permitted hours should apply for permission from the local employment agency - Agentur für Arbeit- and from the foreigners’ registration office – Ausländerbehörde.

International students having a language course in progress are just permitted to work during rest periods, but they have to get permission from the Federal Employment Agency and the Immigration Office.

Working in academic assistance, international students are not restricted to limited working hours, but they still have to inform the foreigners’ office about their situations.

Employers use different ways to announce about jobs in demand, so students had better keep alert in following up on posts on the internet, university’ bulletin boards, local newspapers... to get a job as fast as possible to sustain their daily expenses, as each international student needs up to EUR 800 a month to live decently.