Can I Work More Than 20 Hours On A Student Visa In Germany

As a Canadian university student who has been awarded a German Erasmus+ or Industry Scholarship, you will be granted a student visa for Germany. This visa allows you to work a maximum of 20 hours each week during your studies. For example, if you study a three-month course in Germany that ends up being one academic semester, that would mean you could work for the remaining 8 months (minus holidays or summer break). 

Can I Work More Than 20 Hours On A Student Visa In Germany

Before you get your student visa for Germany, it’s important to understand all of the rules and regulations about working in Germany. The German Student Visa regulations allow for students to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during school holidays. This is a guide on how you can stay within the law when in Germany just before and after you have qualified for an Aufenthaltserlaubnis.

Living in Germany is hard on both the brain and the wallet. The cost of living is high, and finding a job with a 20-hour work week is difficult. But with a little background knowledge, you can easily stay in the country and put food on the table. This article will explore your options for employment within Germany with a student visa.

Working while studying in Germany has many advantages that go beyond the financial ones

A working student’s job during your studies does not only boost your finances. The job requires many facets of you as a colleague, employee, supervisor, newcomer, or expert. You get to know yourself in different roles and perhaps in difficult situations. You also meet people outside your university circle and circle of friends. Of course, a job will also enhance your CV: Working while studying in Germany proves that you can manage your time well, and work hard. It doesn’t really matter what industry you’re in – it’s important to recruiters that you have practical experience. Before you start working as an international student in Germany, you should find out about the general conditions and rules that are in place. They are important to know as making a mistake can increase your insurance and tax bills considerably. You can find answers to the most important questions here:

The 9 most important questions about working as a student in Germany

1. Can I work while studying in Germany?

Studying and working is perfectly OK in Germany. However, there are limits to how many hours you can work before being required to pay full insurance contributions.

In order not to lose your status as a student, the amount that you are allowed to work full-time outside of the lecture period is limited to 182 calendar days (26 weeks) within one year of employment.

2. Are international students allowed to work in Germany?

International students have their own set of regulations, which govern how long they can work before their taxes and social contributions rise. 

For EU nationals, the limit is 20 hours per week during the semester. For students coming from outside the EU, the limit is either 120 full days, or 240 half days every year.

3. What is the difference between full days & half days? 

A full day is defined as 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week in Germany, This means that students are allowed to work only 2.5 full days per week during the semester. This limit can be exceeded during the semester and during the summer break, however, international students should keep the annual quota in mind and make sure not to exceed the 120 full-days per year limit.

Part-time or half-days are defined as anything under the definition of a full week. So a part-time job in Germany usually is a job that requires up to 20 hours or less per week. 

4. How much can I work as a student in Germany?

You may not spend more time working than you do studying. Otherwise, studying is no longer your main occupation. Therefore, as a student, you may not work more than 20 hours a week during the lecture period.  You may work more during semester breaks: Students are allowed to work more than 20 hours per week for 26 weeks during the period of one year of employment (note that this does not have to correspond to a calendar year). In this case, it has no effect on your “student” status with regard to social security.

5. Can students work more than 20 hours a week in Germany?

There are some exceptions to the 20 hours rule mentioned above. Academic jobs are usually categorized differently. If you take a student assistant role at CBS, this won’t count towards the 120-full days limit that applies to international students. In addition, mandatory internships that are a part of your study programme also are exempted from the 120- full days rule. 

6. How much can I earn working as a student in Germany?

The amount of your income plays a role in several aspects. On the one hand, it affects your student status: It’s not the amount you’re earning, but the amount of time you’re working. (see question 1: How much can I work as a student in Germany?). Another aspect of income are taxes: If you exceed certain limits, you will be liable for wage tax (for example, as an employee) or income tax (for example, as a working student or self-employed person). In any case, you should file a tax return for each year in which you study and work in Germany. The respective income limits and tax-free amounts also depend on your age and marital status. Your income is also important for your health insurance. To remain in the family health insurance  and be exempt from paying your own health insurance contributions, you may not earn more than 5,400 euros per year in a part-time job. The minimum wage in Germany is around 9 € per hour. Higher-skilled student positions could offer a higher pay range from 11-20 € per hour. Side jobs such as babysitting, catering, and working in a cafe or a restaurant mostly pay somewhere around the minimum.

7. How much can I earn as a Bafög recipient?

First of all, you must report any changes in your income to the Bafög office as certain income limits apply.  If you earn more than this, the additional income will be deducted from your Bafög. You can earn a gross income of 5,422 euros per year or 452 euros per month without it being deducted from your Bafög. Anything above this amount will be deducted from your Bafög. You can find detailed information on the topic of Bafög and additional income here. With a 450-euro minijob, students who receive Bafög are definitely on the safe side. Whether the job is related to your studies or not is irrelevant. The number of hours worked is also irrelevant for the Bafög.

8. What types of employment/student jobs are available for students in Germany?

For starters don’t worry about working while studying. It’s very common in Germany, especially among international students, and there are many opportunities to consider. 

As a student, you have even more options than “normal” employees. For example, you can work as a student trainee or intern. The sticking point is usually the obligation to pay social security. In turn, your marital status, income, and type of employment count towards this.