Taking up a part-time job in Germany while studying is ideal for students as it gives them an opportunity to gain some local experience and earn extra money to meet their living expenses.
When it comes to studying in Germany, there are various part time jobs in Germany for students. Students must be aware of the laws and regulations regarding taking up part-time jobs in Germany, as well as the eligibility requirements to do the same.
- An opportunity to explore the job market in Germany and build local experience
- A chance to earn a little extra money while studying in Germany
- A reason to find something to do outside university hours
Read on to know more about the various options available to international students regarding part-time jobs in Germany, the pay scale and taxes, and the laws and regulations for part-time jobs for international students.
Table of Contents
- Part-Time Job Options/ Profile for Students
- Pay Scale and Taxes
- Part-Time Job Regulations for International Students in Germany
- How to find Jobs in Germany?
Part-Time Job Options/ Profile for Students
There are numerous part-time jobs in Germany that international students can take up. However, we will list the most sought after part-time jobs that students take up while studying in Germany.
Teaching/ Research Assistant
Being a teacher/ teaching assistant/ research assistant is at the top of the tier when it comes to taking up part-time work in Germany. These jobs are generally open to research scholars and pay a significant salary. The job profile involves helping professors grade copies and prepare lectures. Students will mostly be employed as supervisors or librarians, and students need not step out of the university premises to find work as the listings are usually advertised on the university’s notice boards.
English Tutors
Being an English tutor in Germany is an extremely rewarding job that pays handsomely. For this job, however, thorough knowledge of both languages, English and German, is required. Students must note that a student from the UK may be preferred over a student from India to teach English as a language. Students can wish to take private tuitions as well.
Waiters/ Waitresses
Waiting tables at cafes, restaurants, and bars is one of the most popular choices of part-time jobs for international students. This job is significant; even though it doesn’t pay as much as tutoring, it does give students the chance to explore surrounding areas, meet new people and get a glimpse of life in Germany. Germans are also known to tip generously, so this may give a chance for students to earn a little extra money apart from their usual salary. Students must note that an A2-level proficiency in the German language is a requirement for this job.
Industrial Production Assistants
The role of an Industrial Production Assistant is highly sought after by students as they provide the necessary experience required to segway into full-time employment. Industrial Production Assistants are also highly paid amongst most other part-time job profiles available to students. Hence, this a great option when it comes to part time jobs in Germany for students.
Pay Scale and Taxes
Germany has set the minimum wage for international students at EUR 9.50 per hour, but this will vary depending on the skillset of the student, the type of job taken up, and the location that the student is studying in. For example, a student may earn a higher minimum wage in cities like Munich and Berlin, but the cost of living in these cities is relatively higher as well when compared to the other provinces and cities in Germany.
When speaking about taxes, students earning up to EUR 450 a month are exempted from paying taxes. If a student consistently earns more than EUR 450 a month, then they will be issued a tax number, and a certain amount will be deducted from their salaries every month. Students can claim this money at the end of the year by submitting their tax returns.
Part-Time Job Regulations for International Students in Germany
Perhaps the most important aspect of taking up a part-time job in Germany for international students is for them to know about the laws and regulations governing part-time jobs in Germany for students. The following are the part-time job regulations for international students in Germany:
- To work a part-time job in Germany, students need to get a work permit from the Agentur für Arbeit or the Federal Employment Agency. The work permit will contain the details of the maximum limit (no. of days in a year, no. of hours a week) of work that students can take up.
- Students in Germany are allowed to work for a period of 120 days or 240 days, depending on if their residence is in a high-employment region or a low-employment region. If a student resides in a region with low employment rates, they may apply for a work permit of more than 120 days.
- Students are not allowed to work for more than 20 hours a week, as per most university norms. However, during university breaks and vacations, students can work full-time should they choose to do so.
- For students enrolled in preparatory courses or language courses, the norms are much tighter. For example, students must get explicit permission to work from the concerned authorities and are only allowed to work when the lectures are not in session.
- Students earning less than EUR 450 a month and for a period of fewer than 50 days are exempted from paying taxes.
- During the academic session, students are not allowed to work for more than 20 hours a week, as doing so would require them to pay health insurance, unemployment insurance, and nursing care insurance.
- Students working in universities are exempted from the 20 hours a week requirement and can choose to work for longer hours. The hours of work and wages are determined by the university officials; however, students should note that such positions are extremely competitive and are available only to truly deserving students.
- Finally, students should note that the German authorities are very particular about enforcing these laws for part-time work, and any student found violating these may face the possibility of expulsion, not only from the university but from the country altogether.
How to find Jobs in Germany?
Students stuck in a conundrum as to where to start when it comes to looking for part-time work need not worry, as there are plenty of resources available to them with regards to the same. Companies and employers regularly send job listings to the universities, which are then displayed on bulletin boards for public access. The following are some of the ways to find part time jobs in Germany for students:
- University Bulletin Boards: University bulletin boards usually have job listings, among other things, that students can seek. It is very common for university bulletin boards to have job listings from various recruiters and employers, so students must make sure to regularly look at bulletin boards in their respective universities.
- University Career Centres: Most universities in Germany have dedicated career centres that can help students find employment while studying. Career centres are constantly networking and interacting with employers and companies in the industry.
- Online Portals: The internet is the best option for students looking for part-time work in Germany. Online job portals are rife with numerous options for students to take up; however, international students must look for jobs that fall in line with the laws and regulations governing part-time jobs in Germany.
