Working while studying

You are an international student and would like to earn some extra money while studying, do an internship or start your career in Germany after graduation. This page gives you an overview of the legal situation in Germany and what you need to bear in mind when looking for a job.

International students from EU countries and the European Economic Area (EEAA)

  • have free access to the German labour market
  • are allowed to stay as long as they want

International students from non-EU countries

§ Section 16 Studies - Act on the Residence, Gainful Employment and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory (Residence Act - AufenthG).

  •  You are allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days (calendar days) per year in addition to your studies. For all other days, you need the approval of the Foreigners' Registration Office and the Employment Agency (§ 16Abs. 3 AufenthG).
  • You may work a maximum of half a day during the lecture period.
  • Half day = 4h for 8h daily working time and 5h for 10h daily working time
  • Night shifts of a maximum of 8 hours count as a full working day
  • Gainful employment is permitted for:
    • Persons entitled to asylum 
    • Refugees with international protection status
    • Subsidiarily protected persons
    • Refugees with temporary residence permit
  • Part-time student jobs
    • e.g. student assistant at the university, at the student union (dormitory administration, canteen, etc.)
    • may be carried out without restriction but      
    • Activities must not prolong the studies or conflict with the purpose of the studies.
    • The residence permit must allow it. The involvement of the Federal Employment Agency is generally not required.
  • Compulsory internships during studies (also paid internships) and internships for the preparation of final theses
    • No approval from the Foreigners' Registration Office or the Federal Employment Agency is required
    • Not counted as working time (120 full or 240 half days do not apply)
    • there is no entitlement to minimum wage
  • Internship for orientation for taking up studies and study-accompanying internships (up to 3 months)
    • You must not have done an identical or similar internship before.
    • There is no entitlement to minimum wage
  • All other internships are included in the regulation of 120 full or 240 half days Approval by the Foreigners' Registration Office and the Employment Agency is required.
  • For self-employed or freelance work, the approval of the foreigners authority is required
  • International students who do not come from the EU are not allowed to become self-employed or work as freelancers!
  • During the application process or during preparatory measures for studies (e.g. Studienkolleg, DSH or TestDaF)
    • In the first year, the 120 full days or 240 half days may only be worked during the holidays.
    • From the second year onwards, the 120 full days and 240 half days may be worked throughout the calendar year.

If you have a residence title and are enrolled, you can work in Germany. You now need the supplementary sheet for the residence title. You can get this from the Foreigners' Registration Office in Zwickau.

The supplementary sheet is required when the customs authorities come to inspect your company. Therefore, always carry the supplementary sheet with you during your work.

 

 

Career Service

Foto von Gina Flachsbart

Gina Flachsbart
(in Mutterschutz/Elternzeit)
Beratung internationaler Studierender, Projekt Praxis+